Dushanbe Tea House

Perhaps more appropriate than last year's high tea book accompaniment ('twas a wee bit ironical to be sipping bellinis at The Brown Palace whilst commenting on the hardships wrought in The Grapes of Wrath, was it not?), we were scheduled to discuss Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Dushanbe Tea House for this year's annual tea and book planning outing.

But are we a group that's known for being altogether all together? I should hope not! So, true to form, most of us did not in fact (re-)read the selection, and those of us who did get to it felt compelled to note that it wasn't one of Shakespeare's greatest works. I love, by the way, that we are comfortable making such a statement. Who mentioned having a friend whose book club left a lot to be desired? I think we're perfect; the answer to this paragraph's first sentence not withstanding.

I was among the didn't-read-it-ers, of course. I did check out several copies though: indadvertently, one collection of commentaries on the play; one awesome, faded little volume; and one Easy Reader version. Somehow even with all of those in my immediate vicinity, the play did not get read. Huh.

What were some of the comments? The play seems somewhat silly, and that the female characters were written intentionally flat. Maybe, maybe it could be adapted for a high school setting with the love triangle - or was it a square? In any case, I am proud of us for having selected a classic, and a play. And thank you to Sarah and Theresa for leading our discussion.

As usual, we spent a good portion of our time together catching up on busyness of Momfullness and our assorted other roles. We really are fabulous, ladies, you know. We all dabble in a lot, and its fun when we bring all those energies around one table. *sending out some love, I guess.*

Speaking to the fabulousness, wasn't it great how many of us brought books and recommendations, as assigned?! Here's the summary of the selections made so far:

Unless we make other arrangements, the assumption is that the FabuMom who selected the book will also host the evening (at her home or another locale of her choice).

Feb 26th - Lisa
The Help, Kathryn Stockett

Mar 26th - Theresa
The Lacuna, Barbara Kingsolver

Apr 23rd - Kjirsten
YA Lit Month – with Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games strongly recommended by Kjirsten

May 28th - Sarah
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, Junot Diaz (We can also celebrate her Gradumavation!!! Woo hoo!!)

Jun 25th - Suzie
Dead Until Dark, Charlaine Harris

July 23rd - Sadie
Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage, Elizabeth Gilbert

Aug 27th - Alayna
City of Thieves, David Benioff

Sep TBD
Oct TBD
Nov TBD
Dec TBD

We always seem to mention other books, and I love to have a log of these as well:

The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin
Gods Behaving Badly: A Novel, Marie Phillips (Was this it? I had written down "Belong" instead of Behaving, so I'm not sure this is right.)
Labor Day, Joyce Maynard
Pope Joan, Donna Woolfolk Cross

We also touched briefly on the Haitian tragedy, and Theresa mentioned the bad blood that has existed between Haiti and the Dominican Republic and specifically the parsley massacre.

We loved the beauty of the tea house, though not the glare of the sunlight piercing each of us momentarily, and Sarah remarked that without the hubub (my silly word, not hers) of the farmer's market outside, the area was remarkably different. I can't wait to get back for a F.M. some day!

We missed those of you who couldn't join us and look forward to seeing you all soon!

Please, please comment with tidbits I missed! :)