December Book Club & Gift Guide

When we had finished our desserts, we got right to our book discussion.   For December, we read State of Wonder: A Novel by Ann Patchett.

The book is about two researchers who work for a pharmaceutical company in Minnesota. The company has been funding a Doctor who has been working in the Amazon on a top secret new drug for many years.  She has not supplied the company with any concrete reports since starting her research in the Amazon, so they decide it is time to get more accurate accounting for the work she is doing.  The company sends the first researcher to the Amazon to garner information, but receives word back that he has died on his mission.  The company then sends a second researcher, Dr. Marina Singh, to the Amazon to find out more about her colleague’s death and the mysterious work that is being done.  From there, we are taken on an amazing journey with Dr. Singh as she tries to complete her tasks.  We all found the beginning of the book to be very hard to get into but, once Dr. Singh gets to the Amazon, the book picks up!  For me, the book was one that I could not wait to read and then, when I was reading it, I wanted to take my time because I did not want it to end.  I found it fascinating and certainly worthy of a good debate.  Sadly, only one person in the club finished it so we could not have a lively discussion.

1. Back to Baking by Anna Olson  /  2. Martha’s Entertaining by Martha Stewart   /  3. Mark Abrahams by Mark Abrahams  /  4. Avedon Fashion 1944-2000 by Richard Avedon  /  5. Tennis Courts by Frick Byers  /  6. Singular Vision by Tom Armstrong  /  7.  A Game of Thrones Deluxe Edition by George R.R. Martin  /  8.  The Lego Ideas Book  /  9.  Little Princes by Conor Grennan  /  10. Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan  /  11. Stir It Up by Ramin Ganeshram

For those on your list with a Nook, Kindle or e-Reader a gift card is always appreciated (hint..hint.. hint)