January 2008: Water for Elephants (Gruen)

Post date: Jan 07, 2010 10:7:30 PM

Sixteen Smithies circled up in Maggie's living room on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 to discuss Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants after catching up with each other while getting tea and snacks. Everyone enjoyed the book, though several thought it fluffy and predictable and the ending a little much (yet abrupt). Returning to this month's book intermittently, conversation diverged to Devil in the White City which was suggested last time but not selected (but may be for a future meeting) and the Chicago World's Fair of 1893, animal rights and zoos -- particularly the San Francisco Zoo which has been recently in the news, and, typically for this group, to the upcoming primaries.

We also ended up having several book suggestions, each igniting a small discussion, finally, after a re-count, the (slim) majority voting for Free Lunch: How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (and Stick You with the Bill) by by David Cay Johnston, but it's not yet available in paperback, so we will read the second place finisher in the voting, Jon Krakauer's Under the Banner of Heaven for our February meeting. Other suggestions included Suite Francaise by Irène Némirovsky (NYT review).

After the meeting was over, many people lingered, chatting in small groups about various topics including gyms and exercise approaches, children and family names, and the upcoming Festival of Women Authors at the Berkeley YWCA (among many other interesting local events we wish we had time to attend!).

Thank you for hosting, Maggie!