We decided to have a set up dinner to discuss how we want this little adventure to play out. I've traveled with all these girls and have found that planning anything is sometimes the best part. Since I couldn't come up with anything creatively Russian to make for dinner I did the closest thing that I know how to make. Polish Kielbasa with green peppers and onions. Served with a variety of wine but nothing worth mentioning.
Lisa is the first to arrive on the scene. You always know that for anything Lisa is first to arrive. If Susan or Eileen were ever to be first to anything, worlds are colliding and I would find shelter fast. Please know that I'm right there with them. At least in the past. In order of last to arrive used to be Jennifer, Susan and then Eileen. I've been working on this for the past two years and have made great strides.
Table is set and ready with one guest already seated. Lisa's first words are "who invited the hasidic Jew"? She's allowed to say these things. It's her people.
Yep, it's Leo seated at the head of the table beard and all. And no, Tolstoy was not Jewish.
Not only do I think this book is great but I find the author himself to be a fasinating figure so I plan to have him with us for each dinner.
Those who made the first non-meeting meeting were Me, Lisa, Dixie, Eileen, Susan and Wendy. Oh and Doug, Eileens little gray poodle breed.
What we discussed:
1. I gave the girls a 15 minute backdrop to the War of 1812, the french influence and why we need to know a tiny bit about what Napolean was up to. None of us were history majors and since 7th grade was so so many years ago I thought we needed a little boost. If you've never read this book and want to start I highly suggest you do a smidge of research.
2. We will meet at the end of every month on Fridays.
3. We will read around 50 pages for the first few meetings and then speed things up to 100 to 150 a month. I know, 50 pages? but remember this book is thick, the amount of characters introduced in the first 50 pages alone will make your head spin and this is not a primary read for most of us. We are treating this as our book in between books.
3. Each girl will host a meeting.
4. If you come to the meeting without reading you will do a shot of Vodka.
Side note: In honor of Tolstoy himself, Theo (my husband) has decided to grow a beard for the first time. not really. well the beard part is true but he started a month before I decided to start this little club.
But I find it interesting when seperate parts of your life seem to be working in the same direction. Other coindences worth mentioning. The movie 'The Last Station' about Tolstoy's last days is about to hit theatres. And in my other book club we are starting to read 'The Elegance of a Hedgehog',a wonderful book where one of the main characters names her cat Leo for her love of War and Peace. cue twilight zone intro music.
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