Joe Round 5

This time around I asked family members and a friend what books they think I should read. Here is the list:

The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam Jr.

Made by Hand by Mark Frauenfelder

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy

Encroachment by Enrichment

I just heard our time slot on the 26th has been pre-empted.  If I were further in the book I'd say this Thursday instead.  Any thoughts?

Brandon's picks - round 5

1. The Horror of the Heights by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
A collection of tales of the supernatural.  None of which feature Sherlock Holmes, but the two that I've read before are pretty kick-butt.

2. Reality is Broken by Jane McGonigal
Explains the science behind why games are good for us--why they make us happier, more creative, more resilient, and better able to lead others in world-changing efforts.  Wait, is this for real?

3. Hard Times by Charles Dickens
I sure get a bang out of Dickens' use of the English Language, but find most of his books way too long.  This one looks more manageable.

4. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
I don't know anything about this, except it was Kara's favorite book for a long time.

5. Norwood by Charles Portis
This is the first book by the guy that wrote True Grit.

Scott's Picks, Round 5

I decided to take a different track this time around and not focus on literature but create a more eclectic mix.

1. Lake Wobegon Days by Garrison Keillor This is a renomination of one from Brandon from an earlier round. I was listening to NPR a few days ago and heard a bit of Prairie Home Companion, making me want to read something Keillor.

2. A Walk In The Woods by Bill Bryson I really enjoyed 'A Short History of Nearly Everything' and I have hiked in the Appalachians a bit, so I thought why not?

3. Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey I know Abbey is not everyone's cup of tea, but he talks about Arches as it used to be in this book and I can relate to much of what he says regarding wilderness.

4. The Domiguez-Escalante Journal Part of Utah's (and the West's) early history I have always been curious about.

5. Beyond The hundredth Meridian by Wallace Stegner Another renomination (from Joe's picks, if I remember correctly). I thought this would be an interesting read.

6. All Creature's Great And Small by James Herriot This one is just for fun. The adventures of an English country vet from a simpler time. I have always loved this book and have not read it for a long time, so I thought I would throw it into the mix as well.

Call for entries: Round 5

Hey y'all,

Since Under a Wild Sky is the last book of round 4, it's time to start thinking about some more nominees.  Let's get them all posted and voted on by the next time we meet at the end of this month.  Myles, you gonna join us via skype from now on?

Double, double, toil and trouble

My fellow scholars and countrymen,

I propose a meeting of our happy few band of brothers, to be held on this 28th day of April.  Some outdoor location I think will serve our purposes.   The topics of discussion will be the fantastical romance of Twelfth Night, and that most harrowing of tragedies Antony and Cleopatra.  Any ideas for unquiet meals to make ill our digestion are appreciated.  Eight wild boars roasted whole at breakfast?  Some pigeons, a couple of short-legged hens, a joint of mutton, and any pretty little tiny kickshaws?  And of course, the beer of root is a good familiar creature, if it be well used.

Toad in the hole and everything

Although Jude may be one of the saddest stories around, we enjoyed ourselves.  I can't believe I forgot my camera.  Pictures of Toad in the Hole and Toad in the Bayou, baguettes with Havarti, M&M medley, and cinnamon rolls belong here, but are sadly missing!

Thanks to Scott for hosting and suggesting Jude!

Hey Jude, take a sad song and make it sadder

Hey Scott,

Any word on where and when to meet?  Is it this thursday or next?  And what's the most depressing food we can eat while we discuss?  Veal?

Quesadillas, Guacamole, and Tarts

We had an enjoyable discussion over fresh quesadillas.  No one was tempted by the jalapenos, but the poblanos were well received.

We also had the required drinks, chips and salsa, and some strawberry custard tarts.

I forgot to get pictures to document it all again!

I'm looking forward to next month's meeting for Jude the Obscure.

The Decision Point has been reached ...

And I'm only sure of the day and time.  Let's plan on my house at 7:30 this Thursday.

Sorry for the late notice.  I'll post more details soon.

Decision Points

Has anyone finished this already and still have their copy that I can borrow?

Repent Ye!

Brandon asked if my new calling as bishop means that I will vanish from Manly Manliness. I hope not, but I'm not off to a great start. I found out this week that on Thursday I have to attend something called welfare council with all the other bishops in the stake. It starts at 8:30. I'll head straight to Jon's place if there's still time when my meeting is through.

On a more positive note, I've lined up funds to purchase a fire bowl for the back yard.

Round 4 Results

Here's the winners according to my advanced mathematics:
Scott: Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy
Myles: Tie between Decision Points and In 50 Years We'll All Be Chicks
Jon: The Great Divorce and The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis
Brandon: Twelfth Night and Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare
Joe: Under a Wild Sky by William Souder

Is everyone okay if we read and host them in that order (as long as we get a tiebreaker for myles by then?).
So, for January, we'll read Jude the Obscure and so on.  Seems like an appropriately depressing book for January.

Anyone planning on getting together for december?  I won't be here for the rest of them month, so what do I care?