I guess i've been out of the loop, I didn't know anything about this reporter, apparantly I didn't get an email on it. I'm glad you guys called though, put us in the spotlight! OR at least whomever called....

I'm going back through my email for some "best of bookclub" emails...yes, I don't want to work anymore (3 nights in a row til midnight will do that...). Plus, yahoo is telling me to clean out my freaking email, so...

Some thoughts on the infamous E-Room from October 2002:

Okay, since its confession time -
Hi, my name is Kelly, and
I HAVEN'T FINISHED EITHER!
I'm not even close. I'm on page 106. All the
flipping to the back to understand the French - well,
it's just taking longer. I've been working my tail
off at work and been having to schmooze for three days
straight and am trying to move and, well, I just
DIDN'T FINISH. Which isn't to say that I WON'T
finish, just that the likelihood of it happening by
this evening are slim to none. I'm SORRY! I WANT to
finish, I WANT to discuss, I WANT to go to the
Enormous Room, and was going to be slimy and just go
anyway and talk very informedly about the first
hundred pages of the book, etc., etc. And there aren't
even Cliff Notes, so...



--- Jennifer McCreary
wrote:
> Okay, so y¹all can totally disregard my email about
> changing the time
> yesterday because I have not finished the book, and
> there¹s no way I¹m going
> to at this point. I hoped to pull a serious night
> o¹ reading last night but
> fell asleep with my face in the book instead (I¹m SO
> cool). I feel guilt
> ridden and very sorry that I shall miss the meeting
> (especially since I¹m
> the only one who understood the French). I¹m also
> sorry I had y¹all move
> the date for me (well, and Abby too); but rules are
> rules, and I just didn¹t
> have my act together this time.
> Have a drink for me though, and I¹ll be there with
> bells on next time.
> Jen

Salutations chickititas,

After a long hiatus, I am inspired once again to bring back the bookclub re-cap. Not that Madame X was particularly inspiring or inspired for that matter...

In the style of the great author Zagat, the book was described as "an easy read" yet "shallow". While readers were "interested to find out what happened next" and "enjoyed the period detail", particularly regarding the Paris Salon exhibition, several members found Madame X to be "a shallow and inferior take on Girl With a Pearl Earring" as the character "floated on the surface of the important historical actions going on". The Aunt Julie character seemed to be unanimously favored, perhaps because she was more soulful and intelligent and less "slutty" and "bitchy".

Several members found the ending rushed and abrupt, but others countered (okay, me, but I'm claiming editorial authority) that the author's purpose (both the actual author and the purported autobiographer Virginie) was to provide a backstory and identity of Madame X in the portrait - and this novel focuses on the identity of the woman in the portrait, who she is at that point and why she carries herself as she does as well as why the portrait was so scandalous. The portrait of Madame X only conveys Virginie up to the point that the portrait was painted - this is what that figure represents.

The setting for our discussion was the vibrant Marche Movenpick in the Prudential Center. The confusing self-serve marketplace atomsphere and odd quasi-waitstaff lacked panache but on the upside, the green line stop within the Pru meant that I didn't have to walk outside in the 10 degree weather to get to and fro, so that was a definite plus.

Next month's selection? Loving Che. Guavara that is...I can taste the Mojitos now...

Hey, Jen - it'd be great if you could post the list of books and their ratings when you get a chance!

Hi all,

In an attempt to do anything but work, I gave her a call and told her all of our dirty secrets...she's nice - you should give her a ring! It's interesting that she said her editor told her this was a fad worth investigating but she's been totally unable to find any other book club who does the same thing...we're oh-so unique.
I'm moving this discussion to the blog, by the way...

Sheila Campbell wrote:

Ladies -

This is what I heard back from the writer I mentioned to you over the
weekend. I know some of you (Kelly and Jen esp.) were excited about the
opportunity for a moment in the media spotlight. Looks like her time is
short, so you should give her a call today about it. I haven't spoken with
her yet but sounds like she'd like to hear from a few of us. Happy
interviewing!

Sheila

----Original Message Follows----
From: Clare Horn
To: "Sheila Campbell"
Subject: Re: book clubs in restaurants
Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2004 22:51:10 -0500

Fabulous. I'd love to talk to a few of you. Is there a phone # I can reach
you at tomorrow? I'm closing in on my deadline, so I'd love to talk to you
as soon as possible. Or you can call me at 617.470.0716.

Thanks so much for contacting me. I look forward to talking to you.

Clare

On Feb 4, 2004, at 3:52 PM, Sheila Campbell wrote:

Your description of book clubs that meet in restaurants that have something
to do with the book is spot-on for our club. We're a group of 8 women in
our late 20s, and just celebrated our second anniversary as a book club
this past weekend. We came up with the idea of forming the club while
watching the Pats win the Superbowl the last time. We've been meeting
every 6 weeks or so ever since.

I know at least a few of our members would be willing to be interviewed, so
if you're still looking for people, please let me know.

Sheila