Blogger Book Club: September

on September 7, 2011
in Book, Book Club!

Very sad that my temporary roommate is leaving tomorrow.  It’s been nice to have Megan in Charlotte!

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True to form, Megan and I have been very active together – we’ve been on lots of walks, ran 5.0 miles yesterday, and went to hot yoga tonight. 

 

Yoga was HARD tonight!  I’m trying to get back into the habit, and it feels like I’m almost starting from scratch.  I had to come into child’s pose multiple times because my poor arms were shaking and spent.  I can already tell that lifting my arms to wash my hair is going to be difficult.  Heh.  Hurts so good!

 

After yoga, we shuttled over to Book Club.  Even though Megan’s obviously not part of BC and hadn’t read the book, I told her it would be totally fine to join in… we tend to only spend 15 minutes discussing the book and another 60 discussing our lives. 

 

While waiting for everyone to arrive, we stopped by Petite Philippe for a little chocolate.

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Petite Philippe has the most beautiful glass and marble display case, filled with handcrafted chocolates in every flavor combination imaginable… whiskey, basil, orange, peanut, caramel…

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I opted for the Nuttymel.  It was like a Babe Ruth – but better!

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And then, it was time for Book Club.   This month’s book was One Day by David Nichollas.

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(I am not legitimately discussing anything in that picture.)

 

One Day follows the love story of Dexter and Emma, two college students who have a one-night stand and are forever linked.  The book follows their lives over two decades; each chapter checks in on their lives on the same day.

 

Unfortunately, I can’t give a review of One Day because it only held my attention for ten (long and drawn-out) pages, at which point I switched over to the third and final installment of The Hunger Games, Mockingjay.

 

And actually, if you’re following along with our Charlotte Book Club, our next book will be the first book in The Hunger Games series (guess who suggested this?!):

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And yes – I plan to re-read it.  Because it’s that epic.

 

Even though I didn’t read this month’s book, Book Club was still fun.  Friends, funny stories, and froyo – what more does a book club really need?   

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I ate dinner and dessert in reverse order tonight…

 

Came home and made this delicious meal.  Erin at Travel Eat Repeat gave me the idea!  This afternoon, she commented on my Basil Tomato Hummus post and said, “Yum, this sounds great for the growing-chilly weather. Very comforting – maybe mixed with pasta?”

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I mixed a huge glob of the hummus with brown rice, added in stir-fried broccoli, and topped with kidney beans.  It tasted like I spent eons in the kitchen preparing a complex sauce – but it was just hummus!

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Have you read One Day (or checked out the movie)?  What did you think?

{ 73 comments }

 

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) September 7, 2011, 9:14 pm

    I haven’t read One Day but I want to read The Hunger Games trilogy. I’m taking a children’s literature class and my professor is obsessed with it!

  • Maria September 7, 2011, 9:15 pm

    I hated One Day! I just finished reading it and wondered why I wasted my time by reading it.

    But loooooooved The Hunger Games trilogy! I read it a while ago and I can’t wait for the movies!!

  • Jen September 7, 2011, 9:17 pm

    I downloaded One Day to my Kindle when you first mentioned it as a book club read, so I hope it doesn’t suck cuz it’s one of the books I’m planning to enjoy on my cruise next week!

  • Kristina September 7, 2011, 9:28 pm

    I read it a year ago and loved it! Not a favorite, but I enjoyed it. It took a few chapters to get into, and then you get really caught up in Dexter and Emma’s lives and it really draws you in. I love books that take place over a long period of time – so much more happens!

    • Liz September 8, 2011, 9:56 am

      I agree, it was my fav, but I did like it! It definitely took a bit to get into, and wasn’t an “easy read” like THG and The Help. Once I was in though, I was totally hooked on Em and Dex! It’s a tough book, but worth it.

      I am looking forward to seeing the movie eventually (although it won’t be as good as the book, it never is).

  • Dani September 7, 2011, 9:29 pm

    DId you see the movie? I saw it this past weekend and loveddd it, but i just love anne hathaway so maybe im biased : )

  • Shaya (Eye Girl Eats) September 7, 2011, 9:31 pm

    I want to do a book club so badly but during school I’m so sick of READING that I have to switch my brain off with Netflix instead. One day, when I’m done with school, I will start my own for sure.

    And now I have a craving for froyo 🙂

  • Elizabeth September 7, 2011, 9:32 pm

    I read One Day, and I should have stopped at 10 pages like you. I could never get into it, but I kept reading because I really wanted to like it.

  • CheezyK September 7, 2011, 9:33 pm

    Hmmm, I am now in two minds about both the book and the movie. I’ve too many things going on right now to waste time on a book that takes a bit to get into … I much prefer a book that grabs me from the start! Plus, I do most of my reading on the train and a slow book doesn’t help to keep me awake in the morning.
    Your last post had me wanting to make that hummus anyway but that dinner has just made it a must do (although it’s being added to the long list of blog food I’ve seen but not yet tried so who knows when that will actually happen 🙂 ).

  • Brooke (Tea & Tofu) September 7, 2011, 9:34 pm

    Hehe, every book club I’ve been in has been much more about gossip than book talk, too! 🙂 But they’re still super fun. I really want to read One Day, although now I am thinking I might wait until it’s at the library!

  • RunEatRepeat September 7, 2011, 9:38 pm

    I have to get my hands on my mom’s copy of the Hunger Games already!!!

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg September 7, 2011, 9:42 pm

    I have not read One Day and I really have no desire to see the movie! I’m glad you’re all reading The Hunger Games — that book was wonderful!

  • cathy September 7, 2011, 9:43 pm

    your plot summary for “one day” interests me! i’d rather read the book than see the movie.
    have heard sooo much about the hunger games – your comments on that one make me want to pick it up asap!

  • Lindsey @ Chick Flick Chic September 7, 2011, 9:47 pm

    the book is great! the movie, eh not so much. (typically the case with book—> movie situations!) will be interested to see the hunger games movies!

  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) September 7, 2011, 9:47 pm

    Yum, glad dinner turned out well! I love that combination of flavors.

  • Luv What You Do September 7, 2011, 9:49 pm

    I think I need a book club!
    Especially one that meets for fro yo!!!

  • Angie @ Musings of a Violet Monkey September 7, 2011, 9:50 pm

    I loved ‘One Day’ (the book). I just read it a couple of weeks ago on my beach vacation. I thought it was a very engaging story… it completely sucked me in. I cried, and everything. (But – I love anything British… I used to live in London, and related to this story in more ways than one).
    I have NOT seen the movie – but will probably Netflix it when it comes out.

    I have zero desire to read The Hunger Games. I don’t really know what it is about, other than hearing they are filming the movie in the area, and it is a young adult series. I read all the Twilight books in a couple of weeks last summer, (somewhat embarrassingly as a 32 year old woman!) and just don’t think I can handle all the teenagery stuff again. (Having said that, I’m a huge Harry Potter nerd – but I think those books are in a league of their own!).

    What does the series have going for it, for us adults?

    ~

    • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen September 7, 2011, 9:55 pm

      I didn’t think Hunger Games was “teenagey” at all! Like you, I had heard all the hype but was super skeptical. So glad I read it though, definitely an amazing series. I finished all 3 books in a combined time of about 5 days and this is coming from someone who can’t stand Twilight and wasn’t a huge Harry Potter fan. Give it a shot!

    • Liz September 8, 2011, 9:46 am

      I know you might want to compare THG to Twilight because it’s a YA series and it’s super popular, but honestly, it’s not even on the same playing field. I agree with Gina, it’s not too “teenagey”. It is about teenagers, but something about Suzanne Collins and her writing style … she just draws you in. Just read it, you won’t regret it!

    • Jill September 8, 2011, 10:43 am

      The Hunger Games is an incredible series. It is not Twilight or teenagy. The Hunger Games belongs on a “classic” list with Harry Potter and others. Trust me. Its unbelievable and the author is genuis.

  • Jennie @ whilemybuttonsleeps September 7, 2011, 9:54 pm

    I thought the book had a slow start. I was hooked about 30pages in though! Maybe try 10 more pages? Or not! I bought it because you mentioned it! 🙂 I’m just starting Sarah’s Key and then will start the Hunger Games! Can’t wait! Does anyone have any good soy and dairy free recipes to share (desserts especially!) My daughter is allergic to both and I refuse to quit breastfeeding! She is only 13 weeks! So many women try to tell me to switch to formula. I refuse, but am feeling discouraged today.

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb September 7, 2011, 9:56 pm

    i have not read the book/seen the movie, but i did see the preview and anne hathaway kind bothers me :/. have you read house rules by jodi picoult? i just finished it last night. it is typical jodi picoult, but very very good none the less and lots of potential book club discussion topics embedded within.

    • Jen September 8, 2011, 1:03 am

      I got that book for Christmas & finished it well before the holidays were over…definitely a page-turner!

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen September 7, 2011, 9:56 pm

    Glad I read this, b/c I almost just bought One Day after checking out a free book from the library and totally not liking it at all (Scent of Rain and Lightning) about 40 pages in.

  • Courtney Leigh September 7, 2011, 10:02 pm

    Loved One Day! Read it over the Labor Day weekend. I got angry with the plot twist, but the more I thought about it I realized I was just angry with the chapters after it. And sad about the twist. Of course, I was pulled in immediately and just got more into it as it went.

    I also loved Hunger Games, but didn’t love the second two quite as much. Not sure why.

  • Chelsea @ Go Chelsea Go! September 7, 2011, 10:03 pm

    I read a sample of One Day on my kindle, and I just couldn’t get into it. I would have switched to the Hunger Games series too 🙂

  • Jenn September 7, 2011, 10:16 pm

    Not much love for One Day here! I haven’t read it but I thought the book was supposed to be good? But I heard the movie isn’t…and people were disappointed Anne Hathaway was in it. Can’t comment either way personally.

    Sarah’s Key came out as a movie a little bit ago too – good reviews – but The Help has overshadowed it it seems. I haven’t read Sarah’s Key yet though.

  • Donna @ Life of a Happy Blonde September 7, 2011, 10:22 pm

    I really enjoyed the book One Day, I got a little frustrated with the characters but I thought the concept of visiting the characters on the same day of every year brilliant and even though it wasn’t one of my most favorite books ever it was a great read!

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife September 7, 2011, 10:28 pm

    That book actually sounds quite good—I’ll have to check it out. Is it a movie then too??

    I LOVE book club!!

  • Katie @ Peace Love and Oats September 7, 2011, 10:32 pm

    oh my goodness i am so envious of all the food in this post! froyo and chocolates – duh, and then your dinner looks absolutely delicious! it reminds me of my mom’s “Green rice”, which is basically a broccoli casserole

  • Jess September 7, 2011, 10:55 pm

    I read One Day and, while it certainly wasn’t a compelling page-turner, it wasn’t too bad. The concepts sounds better than it ended up on paper.

    The movie looks like it has a bit more intrigue than the book..but not enough to convince me to see it in the theater.

  • Nicole@singdancerunlive.com September 7, 2011, 11:01 pm

    I tried to read One Day when I heard the movie was coming out. I made it through 3 pages and gave up. On another note, I absolutely LOVED THG and have recommended it to many of my friends!

  • katie @ KatieDid September 7, 2011, 11:11 pm

    I love your book club over froyo, my kind of book club for sure! I can’t wait to be part of one someday. I always associate the idea with being a mom one day and having a weekly getaway from responsibilities to just relax with friends.

  • Anne September 7, 2011, 11:36 pm

    Haven’t read One Day, but i’m in the process of finishing The Hunger Games. SO good!

  • Rachel @ Healthy Teacher September 7, 2011, 11:49 pm

    I love the Hunger games Series. Every single book appealed to me, and I loved every moment I read it. In fact, it is the most recommended book in our English department.

  • weeee September 7, 2011, 11:50 pm

    !!!!!!! you have to try mixing rice+hummus+beans and then searing it with PAM/olive oil on the skillet.BEST THING EVAAAAAHHH

  • Christine September 8, 2011, 12:31 am

    I read One Day a few weeks ago and really enjoyed it! Like others have said, it took a little bit to get into it, but once I did, I was hooked and finished it within a couple of days. I definitely want to see the movie now – it will be interesting to see how they handle certain things, and what they choose to leave out.

  • maria @ Chasing the Now September 8, 2011, 12:38 am

    I might still check this book out. It sounds interesting!

  • Lauren September 8, 2011, 12:51 am

    The movie was good but so, so sad. I would recommend it though–I love Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess!

  • Khushboo September 8, 2011, 1:34 am

    I am 100 pages in One Day but I’m not loving it like I thought I would. To be fair, the last book I read was The Help so One Day reallly had a lot to live up to!

  • Hanna September 8, 2011, 3:32 am

    I read the book and enjoyed it but maybe it’s because I’m such a sucker for romantic storylines. Now, I want to see the movie but my husband says Anne Hathaway’s British accent is so bad that he won’t sit through it with me!

  • Ashley @ Hop Skip Jump September 8, 2011, 5:01 am

    I didn’t enjoy One Day either but I did finish it. I think you are totally ok to just skip it completely. The Hunger Games….AMAZING!

  • ritika September 8, 2011, 5:12 am

    hi this might sound a little out of context here, but i just read, you saying ‘yoga was hard TONIGHT’. Given my lifestyle, even i want to do yoga ta night after i am back from work, but read it somewhere that yoga should be done in the mornings or early evenings. what time at the night do you do yoga… what’s the cutoff time?

  • Aine @ Something to Chew Over September 8, 2011, 5:51 am

    I haven’t read One Day. I’ll have to check out Hunger Games with all these rave reviews!

  • Danielle D September 8, 2011, 6:22 am

    I’m reading Hunger Games with my 8th grade students. This is my third time reading it and I still LOVE it and find new things each time I read it. 😀

  • The Teenage Taste September 8, 2011, 7:15 am

    Yay for that good soreness feeling! One of my goals this month is to do more yoga – I love doing it but just have lots of trouble getting started. 😛

  • haya September 8, 2011, 7:32 am

    i was seriously disappointed by one day, especially at the end. what a waste of my time!!

  • Ash @ Good Taste Healthy Me September 8, 2011, 7:59 am

    I’ve never seen the movie or read the book. It looked appealing on the preview…but in that oh it’s a rainy Sunday and nothing else is on kinda way.

  • SeekingAmy September 8, 2011, 8:18 am

    I’m thinking I may have to read this book, everyone keeps talking about it! 🙂

  • Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) September 8, 2011, 8:47 am

    I hate that I missed book club last night, but hopefully I’ll be able to make October. I love the Hunger Games!
    PS- you totally look like you’re a book club discussion extraordinaire in that picture! 🙂

  • Parita @ myinnershakti September 8, 2011, 9:01 am

    I’m reading The Hunger Games right now, and it grabbed my attention from page 1! So excited to sit down and finish it this weekend. 🙂

  • Stephanie @ Love Life Project September 8, 2011, 9:02 am

    I laughed out loud when you said that you didn’t read the book. Based on the picture, it looks like you’re sharing some very deep thoughts about it! Ha! I remember one time not having read a book before book club, and I stayed up really late finishing it – it was the worst book EVER – and when I got to book club, I was the only one who’d read it.

  • allpointswhole September 8, 2011, 9:24 am

    So good that you have been able to spend that time with her! I also love hot yoga and will be getting back into it next week since surgery. Can’t wait!! Fro-yo looks divine

  • Bethany September 8, 2011, 10:01 am

    I liked One Day, but it did take me a little while to get into it…then I just HAD to know what happened. I enjoyed the different format. Give it another try! However, it won’t live up to the Hunger Games trilogy. My book club read those last year and I cannot wait for the movie in March!

  • Allie September 8, 2011, 10:17 am

    I actually just finished One Day, and it took me awhile to get into it like most others.

  • Nicole September 8, 2011, 10:41 am

    Agreed, was not a huge fan of that book. I finished but skipped about 20 pages at the end-think I also ended up reading the Huger Games trilogy somewhere along the lines while trying to finish One Day.

  • Gwen September 8, 2011, 10:59 am

    I did read One Day. Not a FAVORITE, but I thought it was good. I love the concept of the story. The Help and the Hunger Games tri were definitely my favorite books I’ve read this year and it doesn’t hold a candle to them. I also just read “I Don’t Know How She Does It” in my effort to read books before seeing movies, and I thought it was so relatable on lots of levels.

    I’m totally changing gear and reading a post-9/11 memoir next.

  • R. Chandra September 8, 2011, 11:01 am

    i need to read One Day! sounds like something i’d like. 🙂

    The Hunger Games.. ehh… probably not my style. i’m not much for fantasy/sci-fi anything.. with Harry Potter being the only exception (i love love love HP).

  • Elizabeth @ reads recipes runs September 8, 2011, 11:23 am

    If I ever find my can opener, I am going to make that dinner. I seriously can’t get over your simple “thrown together” meal ideas… you are so smart!!

    I liked the Hunger Games SO much, but I was somewhat dissapointed by the end. Although I listened to it on audiobook, so I really want to actually read them.

  • kimszym September 8, 2011, 11:27 am

    I liked one day. I think you should give it another chance.

  • Espie September 8, 2011, 12:46 pm

    Funny. My roommate bought this book recently and it’s currently in our bathroom for umm…those moments. I’ve only read the first chapter so far, but I have to agree with you, it’s so hard to get into. I find it ridiculously boring. Surprisingly, it does seem like it would be a movie I can enjoy.

  • Rosa - Fitness, Food, Fulfilled September 8, 2011, 1:29 pm

    I’ve never heard of One Day, but can’t wait to start the Hunger Games! That’s next for me after The Help.

  • Anna September 8, 2011, 1:43 pm

    I read One Day and actually quite enjoyed it.
    It’s a quick and easy read. Give it another go.
    But of course it doesn’t compare to the Hunger Games series. Finished the trilogy in 4 days xD

  • Anne P September 8, 2011, 2:08 pm

    I picked up that book at the store the other day and didn’t even make it past the first page. Needless to say… didn’t buy it 🙂

  • Angie September 8, 2011, 2:32 pm

    I loved One Day!! Dont watch the film – bloody awful, Anne Hathaway’s accent was pretty bad (Im a Brit;) But the book is one of my all time favourites, dont give up on it, it takes time to get into but when you do magic happens on the page, really is a stunning book I promise:)

  • Meg September 8, 2011, 3:26 pm

    I just finished One Day last night and really enjoyed it. I doubt I’ll see the movie because I just want to know the characters as I pictured them in my head (which was definitely not Anne Hathaway and Jim Sturgess, though they are both great). It didn’t take me long to get into, though I can see why it might for others. I just really enjoyed how it explores the complexity of friendships between men and women. I can definitely relate!

  • Meghan @ carmanclan September 8, 2011, 3:58 pm

    I Love the Hunger Games series!

  • Sophie @ threetimesf September 8, 2011, 5:23 pm

    Mmmmm, I’ve never thought of adding hummus to my food as a sauce before!

  • Hillary September 8, 2011, 8:08 pm

    I read One Day—liked the book, HATED the ending. Like, wanted to throw it across the room HATED it.

    • Macrae September 8, 2011, 8:17 pm

      Agreed!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) September 10, 2011, 6:58 pm

    I haven’t read the book, but I would like to see that movie.

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