By Nightfall by Michael Cunningham

The month our bookclub, Bay Bookworms, read By Nightfall by Michael Cunningham.

The plot: Peter and Rebecca Harris are a mid-forties couple living in Manhattan’s SoHo. He's an art dealer, she's an editor. At first they seem to be living an enviable fulfilled life, with a spacious loft, a college-age daughter in Boston, and interesting, artsy friends. Then Rebecca’s much younger look-alike brother, Ethan (known in the family as Mizzy, “the mistake”) shows up for a visit. A beautiful, charismatic twenty-three-year-old with a history of drug problems, Mizzy is at a loose end. Having Mizzy around makes Peter question everything about his world; the artists he represents, his buyers and his wife.

What we thought:
Melinda: When reading By Nightfall, I felt myself cringing. Was I doing this out of disgust for Peter or a little because I too have felt the insecurities of midlife - questioning happiness and career.  It was a quick read with a hopeful ending but not one I would re-read at least until I am well past middle age.

Carson: By Nightfall can be read as a cautionary tale about the unnecessary disappointment of Middle Age. Cautionary, because the disappointment shouldn't be so complete, and wouldn't be for Peter Harris if he had a more evolved sense of what beauty really means. Sure, people get old, fail to achieve their dreams, and lose control over their lives... if you see it that way... or maybe they develop a patina, the character to keep struggling and changing, and the ability to embrace the messiness of family and friends as the beauty of a complete life.  Middle age is when you realize just how vulnerable you really are, so I empathize with Peter, but I think there's beauty in there as well.  Maybe he finds it in the end.


Kenny: The book was a reflection on a couple who do not communicate. It show how mentally distorted you become when you have lost touch with one another and your expectations from life. A good book. You will feel better about yourself and sad for the fictional people involved. You will say: "That's one screwed up midlife crisis."






Martin: An interesting read. I enjoyed getting to know the characters even though, at the time, I could not relate to what was happening in their lives.

Jody: Like his other book The Hours, this is beautifully written and engrossing. An uncomfortable read about a mid-life crisis and what cliches we can all become. How an encounter with just one person throws everything we know into question and can bring our whole lives close to collapse. Enjoyed also the insight into the world of an art dealer and how art had become for Peter a joyless and calculated sale.






Our next book is Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness by Alexandra Fuller, the story of an African childhood. Read along with us!

Seven Days In The Art World

This month my bookclub, Bay Bookworms, read Seven Days In The Art World by Sarah Thornton.

This book is a fly-on-the-wall account of the seven strange subcultures that make, trade, curate and collect and hype contemporary art. The author spends a day at an art auction (Christie's), an intellectual art magazine (Artforum) an art school (California Institute of Arts), an art fair (Art Basel), interviews those surrounding the always controversial Brit art prize (the Turner) pays a studio visit of one of the world's highest paid artists (Takashi Murakami) and attends a prestigious international art exhibition (the Biennale in Venice. Her constant question is: "What is art?"

What we thought:
Kenny: Go with your instincts and buy what you enjoy looking at. Art is like any other product -  marketing and name recognition plays a big part in success and pricing - but that does not always correlate with a piece of Art that moves your mind.

Jody: Incredibly well-researched, well-written piece of journalism and very easy to read. Loved it, especially with the Turner Prize so close. The Christie's auction was my favourite - and noone wants the artist there! The art that consistently sells best: has to fit in a New York elevator, not brown and featuring women rather than men. Leaves you feeling really cynical about the art world when you learn a few super-dealers inflate the value of their stable of artists by "protecting" them in auction. Art is whatever evokes an emotion and continues to do so. Otherwise it's just decoration.

Carson: The book demystified the modern art world by breaking it down from art school all the way to resale at auction. I especially enjoyed the chapters that focused on the artists themselves... The Crit and The Prize. The other chapters expose the art world as a quirky business model with art and artists as products to be managed by galleries, auction houses, and art magazines. The art and the artist can become very disconnected in the process of selling and collecting art. A better glimpse into the world of contemporary artists is the documentary film Herb and Dorothy. 

Amy: Really interesting look into the world of contemporary art









What do you think art is? Our next book is By Nightfall by Michael Cunningham, author of The Hours. It's a story of a mid-forties New York couple, who thought they were happy enough until her brother comes to visit. Read along with us!

In the Garden of Beasts

This month my bookclub read In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin by Erik Larson.

The book:  A true story set in 1933 about a mild-mannered professor from Chicago, William E. Dodd, who overnight becomes America's first ambassador to Hitler's Germany. Dodd is accompanied by his wife, son and flamboyant daughter who is enchanted by the parties and young men of the Third Reich. Meanwhile her father watches with increasing horror as Jews are attacked, the press is censored and the spiralling violence reveals Hitler's true ambitions.

What we thought:

Jean: The book was extremely informative and described a time we should all learn about and remember. Hitler-type stories continue to happen under our noses to this day, I believe. Remembering that can happen to a whole government, and people, is bone chilling and a real history lesson. The personal story of the daughter was a surprise considering the time. I really enjoyed the book!






Melinda: I thought it was a fantastic read. Another history lesson for me. I feel I have such a better understanding of the mood of Germany and the US in 1932 and 1933, following WW1. I found the story told, through the life of the Dodd family, an interesting perspective which highlighted the personalities of the Nazis and the locals. A must-read.







Ellen: One reason I enjoy my book group is because you can go even when you can't find time to read the book, and you leave having read it vicariously. Showing up matters. I think that was a theme in this book too.

Jody: Think this book should be required reading in schools. I learned so much about the year before Hitler became Chancellor. Sometimes dense but always easy to read. It answers the question: How on earth did inhuman beasts like Hitler and his men come to power? Many turned away as violence was done, some fought it and others were disbelieving. Also incredibly disturbing was the force of anti-semitic feeling in the US at the time -  and how many felt very free to express it, even in writing.

Cameron: It's fascinating the high level profession he (Dodds) got to in just 48 hours.  The reality is that this is still happening in the world today.










Our next book is The Seamstress by Frances De Pontes Peebles. Read along with us!

Bay Bookworms: Unbroken

This week my bookclub, Bay Bookworms, discussed Unbroken, a W11 Story of Survival, Resilience and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand.

The book: The true story of Louie Zamperini who started out as a wild, thieving, bullying, juvenile delinquent living in small-town California. With the support of his family he turned his life around to become an Olympic runner. During WW2, in a routine search mission over the Pacific, Louie's plane crashes into the ocean. For two weeks he is stranded in a life raft with two others, battling sharks and catching birds and fish to eat with his bare hands. Captured by the Japanese, he is held prisoner and tortured for the next two years.

Ellen hosted at her townhouse in the Presidio and served pizza, as Louie was Italian.

What we thought:
Ken: Unbroken is a great book, full of hopes, glory, tragedy and perseverance. It’s always amazing when people survive pure mental and physical brutality. I also found the book very informative. We focus on Hitler and his entourage of evil sidekicks, but all the while Japan had it's own version of the Third Reich.

Melinda: A very engaging read about a fascinating man who survived 40 days against incredible odds after his plane crashed in the pacific ocean. He survived only to endure further cruelty as a POW during WW2. I would recommend this book to all, as it is well written, true story and for me - a history lesson.

Jody: One of the best books I have read in years. What's fascinating is the author, who also wrote Seabiscuit, took eight years to write this book. That was because she has chronic fatigue syndrome, an illness which renders her exhausted much of the time. She did 100 of the interviews by phone, email and mail. The story is so unbelievable: first stranded at sea, then the constant torture in the camps. But the saddest part of the book, I thought, was when the men came home.

Martin: A really good book. The scene in the beginning when they are in the raft trying to fight off the circling sharks is really interesting. It flashes back to his childhood and how he turned his life around and became an Olympic runner.

Amy: A truly amazing story of survival. Zamperini had an incredible ability to persevere, both physically and emotionally--first in a raft in the ocean for many days, and then under brutal POW conditions. I was particularly interested in the way he deliberately performed mental exercises (and forced his fellow survivors to do so) to keep from completely losing it.







Ellen: This story is about patriotism, human endurance and humility. Zamperini lived his life at both ends of the spectrum. This is not a philosophical read about existentialism, not a Victor Frank POW experience at all, Zamperini explores the meaning of life through adventure.

Jean: Great read! A real page turner and a sensitive and interesting perspective on WWII. It further fuels my belief that all wars are barbaric and put a very low priority on human dignity and life. I'm not sure about the persistence of the sharks though.

Carson: So interesting to think about what fostered the national psychology of Japan during the war and how people can lose all sense of humanity. And sad that these behaviors still continue to be repeated, based on religion and ethnicity, in many parts of the world.

Cameron: "What you realise is after WW2 there was the attitude of: just shake it off. Mental illess and post traumatic stress syndrome was not as recognised then and the problems of the vets were largely ignored publically. We live near vet housing in LA and it is a good place. Vets in WW2 did not get that support and help to mainstream back into society"

Bay Bookworms: Mildred Pierce

The winner - drawn randomly - of the Giveaway scarf bought in Barcelona is Torrie of A Place Share! Congratulations Torrie, email me your address and I'll send it right away.

This week my bookclub, Bay Bookworms discussed Mildred Pierce written in 1941 by James M. Cain.

It was at Kenny's house and he made sausage and broccolini pasta and tiramisu.

The book: Mildred Pierce is a fictional story set in Glendale, California in the Great Depression. It tells the story of a middle-class housewife who separates from her unfaithful, slothful husband and sets out to support herself and her two daughters whilst maintaining her social position. Eventually she is running three successful pie restaurants but her hardest work is appeasing her pretentious, ungrateful daughter. The book has risen to prominence again following the recent release of a HBO miniseries starring Kate Winslet. In 1945 it was made into an Oscar-winning film starring Joan Crawford.

What we thought: 

Cameron: Her work ethic was commendable. I admired that she was willing to go against the trend and be a hard-working business woman. It wasn't that I disliked her, it was that I didn't understand her. How she continued to take back her daughter who was so mean to her. Ultimately, was it a period piece? Maybe in her heart she felt she wasn't worth anything. 

Luiz: It was very compelling... who's Mildred sleeping with today? I really wanted to read on! No matter how badly constructed the book was, I couldn't stop reading. It was not well written but was fascinating to read about the 1930's.

Jean: Mildred Pierce was inconsistent. She annoyed the hell out of me with the choices she made. Her personal life showed poor judgement and great insecurity.










Ellen: She was a challenged single mother – she couldn't have it all! (You can have it all, but just not at the same time.)









Nancy: An interesting character. She rose above the rules of the time but made some bad parenting choices. No one gets everything right in life and that is the point of being a human being. I admired her accomplishments for the era she lived in.

Martin: I just couldn't get into it. It was like reading a soap opera.











Susan: I really enjoyed the book. It is ironic how life is just a cycle for Mildred. She started as a housewife with Bert as a husband, and ends up years later with him again, but this time without her daughters. Does she still think the right daughter died? I felt Mildred did manipulate everyone around her and loved her daughter too blindly.







Kenny: Mildred is an example of a parent not knowing when to say no.

Jody: In the parlance of the time: what a dame! Frustrating that she forgave her daughter repeatedly even after her daughter did untold vile things, including sleeping with Mildred's husband and faking a pregnancy. Is that the moral of the story - you don't give up on your children no matter what? Others in the bookclub noted it seemed incredibly racy and promiscuous for it's time. Also Mildred was so business-savvy. Her pie cart business was used at the time as an example of the perfect no-overheads business.





Our next book is Unbroken by Laura Hillebrand, a WW2 story of survival, resilience and redemption. Read along with us!

Bay Bookworms: Just Kids by Patti Smith

This week my bookclub, Bay Bookworms, discussed Just Kids by Patti Smith.

It was at Susan's house and she made Gruyere Walnut Crisps, Tipsy Pig Mac'n'Cheese and Meat Loaf.

The book: When Patti Smith and Robert Mapplethorpe met in late Sixties New York they both somehow knew they were going to be famous. This was before Patti Smith became a singer-songwriter - she later became famous for Because The Night, Gloria and Dancing Barefoot. Mapplethorpe later became famous - and controversial - for his photographs, some of which were provocative. They were lovers first, then lifelong friends after Mapplethorpe discovered he was gay. The book tells of their lives together at the Chelsea Hotel mixing with fellow bohemians, Allen Ginsberg, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin and ends when Mapplethorpe died in the 80's.

Luiz

I truly enjoyed reading this book. The writing style was extremely linear and simple but the love story was very tender, respectful and non-judgmental. Amazing and I highly recommend it.

Kenny

A great story of two starving artists in New York City set in the 70's. Their love life was as interesting and strange as the hotel they lived in.

Melinda

I liked the book because I now know their iconic place in the world. In the end I was more fascinated by Robert Mapplethorpe, the book sent me looking on-line for his images and they are fabulous. His photographs of Patti, as well as the human body, show an incredible black and white contrast, depth and intensity that I do not feel many photographs capture. I never knew Patti Smith - was I so isolated in Arizona? She was described as an angry singer and that was totally so not me.

Lisa

Cheers to Patti Smith for being a true individual, artist and friend. And for living the hell out of New York City. And for never spending a lot of time or money on her hair!

Susan

I didn't know Patti Smith or Robert Mapplethorpe before I read the book. I thought it was an entertaining book with a glimpse into what life was like as an artist in New York at that time. It is also a book about their friendship, love and support for each other.

Jody

I found her writing strangely formal and Victorian sometimes, then incredibly simple but realised it was the same style as her music lyrics. Wonderful story of two artists - their love and friendship was sweet, loyal and steadfast in the incredible chaos and creativity of Chelsea Hotel.  The most endearing part was the years they spent sharing their dimes for art supplies and Coney Island hot dogs.

Martin

Just Kids was an enjoyable read. What I enjoyed most was being able to peer into these two people's lives that were so different from my own. I knew little about the art and musical scenes and liked reading Smith's perspective. The book was an easy read, though not a literary masterpiece. I recommend this book to be included on your summer reading list.








And don't forget to enter our Giveway of a Coach wristlet purse. The winner will be drawn randomly this Friday 8th April.

Bay Bookworms: Room

This week my bookclub, Bay Bookworms, discussed Room by Emma Donoghue.

It was at my house and we had chipotle pork and Hammertime ice-cream.

Room: Jack at first seems to be a typical five-year-old.   He likes to read books, watch TV and play games with his Ma. But we soon realise he has lived all his life in a 11x11ft space with only his mother and a foreboding night-time visitor known as Old Nick.

Melinda

The Room was a little tedious in its delivery and I wish some the characters were more developed. However overall it was an interesting read and I was captured by the human spirit when in confinement as well as the struggles that exist both physically and mentally when interacting with the outside world. I am not sure I would actually recommend others to read this book for pleasure but found the overall content worthwhile for book club discussion.

Luiz

The subject is very sad and makes you want to read more and more until there is a happy ending. However at the same time I need to say that a story with such a great potential was a let-down for me. Some characters were not well developed and it left holes in the story. I didn't feel the suspense that some of the happenings should provide. The redeeming fact about the story was that it was written using the perspective of a five-year-old boy. All in all, decent reading that will fade away from my memory very soon.

Amy

I wound up being bowled over by this book. It was a struggle at first, so uncomfortable, but ultimately so human and true and triumphant. Loved it.

Susan

Based on the subject matter of the book, I would not have purchased it. I was intrigued by how many people liked it on Amazon and of course we chose it for our bookclub. I thought the book was interesting but it is not a book I would run out to recommend to friends. It is like reading The Lovely Bones where you just want to go and hug your daughter, whatever her age.

Jody

I actually put this book forward twice for our bookclub because so many friends and family had raved about it.  But when it came to actually reading it, I left it to the last minute. In fact I read it today - the day after bookclub. The first part when Ma and son are in the room together is captivating in a dreading sort of way. The succession of little activities in their day are completely compelling and the patience, inventiveness and unerring love of the young mother is incredibly touching.  But bizarrely outside the room, the book loses its intensity and small facts start to nag and credulity was stetched. Also the other characters are not developed - I don't particularly want to get into the mind of Old Nick, but without visiting his motivations and background the story is not complete.

Ellen

The novel reminds me that art imitates life. In this case the writer models her plots from news stories and it can be raw and uncomfortable when you pierce the veil.









Our next book is Just Kids by Patti Smith.