the power of books

Tonight was book club. We discussed Bee Season by Myla Goldberg. I had read it several years back for a book club I belonged to back in Austin, Texas. I felt it was one of the best books I had read that year, and it made for a lively discussion. Unfortunately the consensus wasn't quite the same with this group.

I really wanted to re-read the book, but seem to have misplaced my copy. Perhaps we weren't in the right space/time to relate to a preteen wanting nothing more than the attention of her father. I do believe that certain books come to us as just the right time and space in our life and are able to speak to us. I think too that if the time isn't right, it just doesn't work. Perhaps we aren't ready to hear the message.

At any rate we quickly moved onto other topics of discussion. The big one of course on everyone's mind is where our next stop would be. I was the only one in the group that still is in the unknown category. Two of the women are going to California: one to San Diego, the other to San Francisco. Another is going to Dallas. And the other is going to New York City (and perhaps living in New Jersey - oh my!). The other woman who was present is a life-time member (her husband graduated several years back, but she pops in from time to time as they are still in Chicago). There were no first year partners present, including our new co-chairs.

I am actually a little worried about what will happen to book club once this group graduates. It seems like the current group isn't much into reading. I don't know what to make of it. Perhaps book clubs are becoming unhip. Meanwhile, we will do what we can to keep the group together, although we left without a book, date, or host for our next meeting. We still have lots to discuss.

Another big topic of discussion was weddings. Three of us are engaged. One has set a date, one is close to setting one, and then there is me (who has been wearing this ring for over seven years now). There was discussion about how involved mothers and future mother-in-laws should be involved in planning. Some mothers tend to be lax, and pretty much just show up. For others they almost seem to take over, planning the wedding they always wanted for their daughter. One woman reported that her future mother-in-law can be a bit overbearing, although she did acknowledge that weddings are a time for mother-daughter bonding. Of course, she also still calls with questions about the wedding plans.

Sitting there I realized that maybe that is what has put a stop on proceeding with wedding plans. On some level I have been aware that mother/daughter bonding isn't going to happen, and I can't even contemplate the thought of mother-in-law/daughter-in-law bonding. Still it is hard to give up that whole idea of the wedding day. I blame all those fairy tales I read as a little girl. As I said, books can speak to us when the timing is right.

currently reading :: THE OPPOSITE OF FATE