Christmas Jars

A perfect book to read for one of those cold, snowy, Michigan weekends is the Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright. Recently reviewed by the Ratted Out Book Club, this is a simple story with a powerful message about hope, love, friendship, and the art of giving to others - and that's all you really need to know. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

The Story of Edgar Satelle

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, written by David Wroblewski, was the November 2008 book choice of the Ratted Out Club. Edgar Sawtelle is a young teen who was born mute and communicates only in sign. He lives with his parents on a remote farm in Wisconsin. The Sawtelle family is not your typical farm family - they raise, train, and sell a fictional breed of dogs. Be sure to get out your Hamlet cliff notes and allow yourself more than just four weeks to read all 566 pages of this incredible saga (as our book club did). You will be fascinated as you come to understand the connection of this beautifully written story with the characters of Hamlet. This is a book that should be read slowly and without interruption as you absorb all its secrets and beautifully written prose. Pay close attention to the Prologue, pay close attention to Almondine, and pay close attention to the spiritual meaning of this story. Alas Edgar... we knew not what to become of thee. We highly recommend this book to all!

The Wednesday Letters

The Wednesday Letters written by Jason F. Wright (author of the Christmas Jars) was the Ratted Out Book Club's choice read for October 2008.

Jack and Laurel Cooper have been married 39 years (imagine that!). Although their love cannot deny an untimely death, they leave this earth cradled in each other's arms. Their three beloved young adult children gather together again to grieve and remember the life they all once shared. It is back at their childhood home where they find boxes overflowing with love letters that were written every Wednesday by their father to their mother from the time when they first married.

This is a engaging story of forgiveness and love - an easy weekend read that we warmly recommend to others.

The Friday Night Knitting Club

Kate Jacobs "The Friday Night Knitting Club" was the chosen September 2008 book of the month for the Ratted Out Book Club. This book begins slowly and draws you in to the lives of a diverse group of women as seen through the eyes of the main character, Georgia Walker. This book is more about women, friendships, and life lessons than it is about knitting. Yet the art of knitting is as unique, soothing, frustrating, and educational as life is itself. A surprise ending led to much discussion about friendships, love, and life for our book club. I give this book a three star rating and look forward to Jacobs' next book (cooking anyone?).

Blogging "Three Cups of Tea"

"Three Cups of Tea"... This book has been a difficult read. David Relin's writing technique is frustrating and it does not flow as interestingly as it might (although I must admit here that I tend be an impatient reader). Still the story of Greg Mortenson's failed attempt to summit K2 and his subsequent journey to build schools for hundreds of children in Pakistan, is truly amazing. Through determination and sheer stubborness, this one man's accomplishments to provide schools for children is a journey worth taking.

Blogging Books in Ann Arbor

The "Ratted Out" Book Club of Ann Arbor, Michigan consists of a few new empty nesters of Huron High School (Home of the River Rats). Each month we choose one particular book to read, review, and discuss. You don't have to be an empty nester to join us. If you're an avid reader, we'd love to hear from you!

Our book of the month for August 2008 was Greg Mortenson's "Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time". Book club members found this book to be intriguing and educational. Although we had some critique of the writer's ability to move a story forward and allow it to easily flow, over all the group agreed this was a good book choice that led to lots of open discussion.