Julia's Chocolates

This was our selection for August, but we weren't able to get together until September to discuss it.  We all enjoyed it quite a bit, which is interesting considering that we all found something to complain about.  Several of us were a little annoyed that while chocolate is heavily referred to in the story, Lamb doesn't go into the process of Julia's creations at all.  The characters are so wonderful that we all laughed out loud at all sorts of wonderful things.  I think we all walked away with a few new favorite quotes as well.  (Some of them better for polite company than others.)  

When we gathered to discuss the book, we had a chocolate fountain as our treat.  We all gathered around the table, full of various yummies to dip in chocolate (including bacon...but, never again), and talked and talked and talked until midnight.  I don't know if it was the chocolate or the feeling of female comraderie that the book inspired or just the fact that our book group has some of the coolest broads I know, but it was wonderful to be together to laugh and share and laugh and eat.

Head to the library and pick up a copy of the book.  But be sure to also pick up some chocolate before you head home to read it.

Vive la chocolat! 

Rapunzel's Revenge

The story of Rapunzel as told by Shannon Hale and her husband Dean Hale in graphic novel form and set in a wild west type setting.  I picked this up from the library and when I looked for it later that afternoon discovered that my children had taken off with it.  All three of them had to read it before it was permitted to come back my way.  That tells you something, I suppose.  All four of us enjoyed it quite a bit on our various levels.  As a parent, I appreciated that it was a graphic novel without scantily clad, overly buxom women.  As a person, I liked how spunky the character of Rapunzel was and how she interacted with her sidekick, Jack.  (Yes, he happened to carry around a magic bean with him.)  A short and delightful read.