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Welcome

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Yes, welcome to the club. A little history. Wayne and I were talking about a book both of us had read, and at the end of the conversation he said we should start a book club. I thought it was a good idea but nothing happened for a couple weeks until I saw him again.  He was still interested but said I should get it going. After talking to a friend in Colorado who has been a book club member for many years, I asked her about some books she might recommend. She gave me a list of maybe 10 books, and I chose The Invention of Wings to try to get this thing going.  I mentioned it to Lance and Cindy, and we were on our way.  The reason I chose this book was that my friend Shirley said it was by the author of a best selling book, The Secret Life of Bees, which she didn't like as well as The Invention of Wings.  Also I learned that the book was set in Charleston, a city where I've been, as my son lives in South Carolina.  Charleston is a lovely city and because I was there only briefly I saw no obvious evidence of its cruel past, vis-a-vis slavery. I also knew that was where the Civil War had begun at Fort Sumter, and of course Randy Newman's song Sail Away, about slaves being taken from Africa to Charleston Bay.  

I've finished the book, as have two or three others so we are getting together Tuesday evening to discuss it, and whatever else comes up.  Personally I loved the book. I don't normally read fiction, and it was not until near the end of the book that I learned that many of the characters in the book were actual historical figures. So there is historical fact in this book as well as fictionalized people and events.

Several of us have agreed that we could do one reading, or writing, or arithmetic sort of assignment per month. And I think everyone agrees that we should rotate and who proposes the next topic. So start thinking about what you might want to do for a second meeting some Tuesday in mid September. Also start thinking perhaps about someone you know who might like to join the club. Personally I think this will be a gas, and good for everyone involved.

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