Betty's List Book Club

Adios and Best Wishes

2008-08-24T12:22:00.001-07:00

Just a quick note to let you all know that I’m stepping down as the Co-Chair of the Betty’s List Book Club. It’s been a terrific two years. I have enjoyed getting to know all of you, and you’ve been an inspiration for my own reading! I encourage you to keep an eye on the Betty’s List Home Page for new developments, and please let Betty know if you want to help out with the book groups or the speaker’s series. I’m sure I’ll see you all around. Happy Reading.
Cynthia K

Can't Fail Rocks

2008-08-24T12:19:00.000-07:00

Just got this super list of books from Can't Fail. Keep up the good work!
Cynthia K.

03/07: The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
04/07: Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson
05/07: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
06/07: The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
07/07: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Linda See
08/07: Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
09/07: Picture Palace by Paul Theroux
10/07: Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
11/07: Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison
12/07-01/08: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
02/08: The Collected Stories of Grace Paley
03/08: Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser
04/08: Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi
05/08: The New Earth by Eckhart Tolles
06/08: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
07-08/08: The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon

Discovery Group 2 Also Rocks!

2008-08-09T21:41:00.001-07:00

Here is their reading list for 2008. Great ideas for all of us!

Rebel Readers Rock!

2008-08-03T19:35:00.000-07:00

The Rebel Readers just did a review of all they have accomplished since we began almost two years ago. I'd love to have a similar list from the other groups. Lots of good ideas for the next printing of Book Savvy. So many books, so little time!

Hope you are all having a wonderful summer and enjoying "hot august nights."

02/07: Little Black Book of Stories by A.S. Byatt
03/07: Geek Love by Katherine Dunn
04/07: The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murikami
05/07: American Woman by Susan Choi
06/07: The Camel Club by David Baldacci
07/07: The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro
08/07: The Law of Dreams by Peter Behrens
09-10/07: The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
11/07: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
12/07: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
01/08: Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
02/08: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin
03/08: The Famished Road by Ben Okri
04/08: March by Geraldine Brooks
05/08: The Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
06/08: The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
07/08: The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
08/08: Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates
09/08: Sacred Hunger by Barry Unsworth

Cynthia K

Kit Kennedy Poetry Night Returns August 20, 2008

2008-07-21T12:44:00.001-07:00

I'm just back from Santa Fe, and sorry I missed you at the last reading, but hoping you will mark your calendar for the popular Kit Kennedy Poetry night on August 20, 2008 at the terrific Duboce Park Cafe. 6:30 sharp!
Cynthia K

August/September Book Club Calendar

2008-07-21T12:30:00.000-07:00

Here's what I know so far about the August/September Calendar. As soon as the facilitators send me the details of their meetings, I will post them here.

Enjoy your reading, and the glorious summer weather.
Cynthia K

Rebel Readers
Next book is Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates
August 27 at 6:30 at a Member's House
Next book is Sacred Hunger by Barry Unsworth
Meeting September 24 at a Members House.
This group is complete

Tuesday Evening Book Nuts
Next book is Inheritance by Lan Samantha Chang
August 27 at 6:30 at a Members house.
Next book is Self-Made Man by Norah Vincent
September 24 at 6:30 at a place to be determined
This group is complete

Can't Fail Group
Next book is Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon
August 3 at 1pm at Max's Opera Cafe
This group is complete

Discovery Group 1
Next book is Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
September 4 meeting at 6:30 at a Members House
Following book is People of the Book
This group is complete

Discovery Group 2
Next book is Babyji y Abha Dawesar
September 10 meeting at 6:30 at Member's House
October 15 Book is Shogun by James Clavell
November 12 Book is The Book of Salt by Monique Troung
This group is looking for 1 or 2 more members (contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to join)

Book Goddesses
August book is The Skin Beneath by Nairne Holtz
This group is looking for one or two new members (contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to join)

Not Your Mother's Book Club
Next book is Pillars of the Earth
Not meeting in July/August because of Summer Scheduling conflicts.
Contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to be in this new group.

Buddhist Reading Group NEW!!!
This SF group is just starting. Be a charter member.
If you are interested contact me at BookSavvy@att.net. I am starting a list.

Happy 4th of July.

2008-07-05T13:07:00.000-07:00

July 16, 2008 Featured Speaker! Karin Kallmaker

2008-06-29T15:13:00.000-07:00

Please join us for our exciting speaker, Karin Kallmaker, on July 16, 2008 at the Duboce Park Cafe at 6:30pm.

July Book Club Calendar

2008-06-17T20:11:00.000-07:00

Here's what I know so far about the July Calendar. As soon as the facilitators send me the details of their meetings, I will post them here.

Enjoy your reading, and the glorious summer weather.
Cynthia K

Rebel Readers
Next book is The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
July 30 at 6:30 at a Member's House
Next book is The Enchantress of Florence by Salman Rushdie
This group is complete

Tuesday Evening Book Nuts
Next book is The Center will Not Hold by Ellen Saks
June 11 at 6:30 at Members House
Next book is A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore
July 23 at 6:30 at a Member's House
This group is complete

Can't Fail Group
Next book is Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon
August 3 at 1pm at Max's Opera Cafe
This group is complete

Discovery Group 1
Next book is Castro Street: A Love Story
July 15 meeting at 6:30 at a Members House
Following book is Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides On Sept. 4
This group is complete

Discovery Group 2
Next book is A Tramp Abroad by Mark Twain
July 30 meeting at 6:30 at a Yacht Club
September Book is Babyji by Abha Dawesar
This group is looking for 1 or 2 more members (contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to join)

Book Goddesses
Next Book is American Eve by Paula Uruburu
July 6 meeting at 4 pm at a member's house
August book is The Skin Beneath by Nairne Holtz
This group is looking for one or two new members (contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to join)

Not Your Mother's Book Club
Next book is Pillars of the Earth
June 17 meeting is at 6:30 at Mimi's
Contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to be in this new group.

Buddhist Reading Group NEW!!!
This SF group is just starting. Be a charter member.
If you are interested contact me at BookSavvy@alo.com. I am starting a list.

Summer Reading Ideas...BookSavvyOnline.com

2008-06-11T16:31:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone:
Wondering about what to read for summer? Check out the Book Club Reading Group calendars below to see what is popular right now with our seven book groups! Or go to BookSavvyOnline.com to read free chapters of my roadmap to good reading: Book Savvy. Enjoy the sun, and your reading! Cynthia K

June 18 Katherine V. Forrest Featured Speaker!

2008-05-29T10:07:00.000-07:00

Please join us for our exciting speaker, Katherine V. Forrest, on June 18, 2008 at the Duboce Park Cafe at 6:30pm.

June/July Book Club Calendar

2008-05-28T18:33:00.001-07:00

Here's what I know so far about the June/July Calendar. As soon as the facilitators send me the details of their meetings, I will post them here.

Enjoy your reading, and the glorious summer weather.
Cynthia K

Rebel Readers
Next book is The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
June 11 at 6:30 at a Member's House
This group is complete

Tuesday Evening Book Nuts
Next book is The Center will Not Hold by Ellen Saks
June 11 at 6:30 at Members House
Next book is A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore
July 23 at 6:30 at a Member's House
This group is complete

Can't Fail Group
Next book is A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
May 20 at 7pm at Central Perk
June book is The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
This group is complete

Discovery Group 1
Next book is Freshwater by Denise Nicholas
June 19 meeting at 6:30 at a Members House
This group is complete

Discovery Group 2
Next book is The Alchemist by Paul Coelho
June 11 meeting at 6:30 at a Member's House
This group is looking for 1 or 2 more members (contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to join)

Book Goddesses
Next Book is American Eve by Paula Uruburu
July 6 meeting at 4 pm at a member's house
August book is The Skin Beneath by Nairne Holtz
This group is looking for one or two new members (contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to join)

Not Your Mother's Book Club
April book is In The Company Of The Courtesan by Sarah Dunat
April meeting is at 6:30 at a Members house
Contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to be in this new group.

Huge Thanks to Misha Cohen....Wonderful Reading!

2008-05-21T22:39:00.000-07:00

A huge thanks to Misha Cohen for her terrific reading from her new book on Chinese Medicine. And thanks to the members of the Betty's List Book Club for the great turnout. Rachel Herbert and her wonderful Duboce Park Cafe staff take such superb care of us!

Speaker Misha Cohen of Chicken Soup Chinese Medicine

Betty's Book List readers.

Nancy, Leigh and Renee weigh Dr. Cohen's words.

Misha reads to the Betty's List Book Club

Our handsome Duboce Park Cafe barista.

Lauren, Michelle and Chris listen intently.

Author/Speaker Misha Cohen and Cynthia Lee Katona, author of Book Savvy, and Co-chair of the Betty's List Book Club.

May/June Calendar

2008-04-29T17:41:00.000-07:00

Here's what I know so far about the May Calendar. As soon as the facilitators send me the details of their meetings, I will post them here.

Enjoy your reading. Cynthia K

Rebel Readers
Next book is Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
May 14 at 6:30 at a Member's House
June book is The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
This group is complete

Tuesday Evening Book Nuts
Next book is The Center will Not Hold by Ellen Saks
June 11 at 6:30 at Members House
Next book is A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore
July 23 at 6:30 at a Member's House
This group is complete

Can't Fail Group
Next book is A new Earth by Eckhart Tolle
May 20 at 7pm at Central Perk
June book is The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
This group is complete

Discovery Group 1
Next book is The Volcano Lover by Susan Sontag
May 27 meeting at 6:30 at a Members House
This group is complete

Discovery Group 2
Next book is The Alchemist by Paul Coelho
June 11 meeting at 6:30 at a Member's House
This group is looking for 1 or 2 more members (contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to join)

Book Goddesses
Next Book is The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
June 1 meeting at 4 pm at a member's house
This group is complete

Not Your Mother's Book Club
April book is In The Company Of The Courtesan by Sarah Dunat
April meeting is at 6:30 at a Members house
Contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to be in this new group.

Misha Cohen May 21, 2008 Speaker!

2008-04-29T17:28:00.000-07:00

Please join us for our exciting speaker, Misha Cohen, on May 21, 2008 at the Duboce Park Cafe at 6:30pm.

Huge Thanks to Sylvia Brownrigg....Wonderful Reading!

2008-04-16T21:57:00.000-07:00

A huge thanks to Sylvia Brownrigg for her terrific reading from her new book Morality Tale. And thanks to the members of the Betty's List Book Club for the great turnout. Rachel Herbert and her wonderful staff take such superb care of us!

Leigh McClellan introduces her friend Sylvia Brownrigg.

Our Speaker: Sylvia Brownrigg

Seajay and friends are amused by Ms. Brownrigg's Reading.

Nancy and Betty's Book Club members watch Sylvia Brownrigg reading from Moralilty Tale.

Sylvia Brownrigg reads from her book Pages for You.

The audience asks Ms. Brownrigg intriguing questions.

Sylvia Brownrigg, author of Morality Tale, and Cynthia Lee Katona, author of Book Savvy and Co-chair of the Betty's List Book Club.

April Calendar

2008-03-29T13:21:00.000-07:00

Here's what I know so far about the April Calendar. As soon as the facilitators send me the details of their meetings, I will post them here.

Enjoy your reading. Cynthia K

Rebel Readers
Next book is March by Geraldine Brooks
March 16 at 6:30 at a Member's House
This group is complete

Tuesday Evening Book Nuts
Next book is The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell
May 7 at 6:30 at Duboce Park Cafe
This group welcomes new members...just read the book and turn up!

Can't Fail Group
Next book is Lolita in Tehran
April 20 at noon at a member's house
May book is A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
This group is complete

Discovery Group
Next book is Senator's Wife by Sue Miller
April 17 meeting at 7:00 at a Members House
This group is complete

Discovery Group 2
Next book is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
April 9 meeting at 6:30 at a Member's House
May book is Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet
This group is looking for 1 or 2 more members (contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to join)

Book Goddesses
Next Book is The Bean Trees
April 27 meeting at 4 pm at a member's house
This group is complete

Not Your Mother's Book Club
April book is In The Company Of The Courtesan by Sarah Dunat
April meeting is at 6:30 at a Members house
Contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to be in this new group.

Welcome April 16, 2008 Speaker Sylvia Brownrigg!

2008-03-24T16:51:00.000-07:00

Sylvia Brownrigg is the author of five acclaimed works of fiction. Her newest novel, Morality Tale, will be published in May 2008 by Counterpoint Press in the US and by Picador in the UK.

Sylvia’s recent novel, The Delivery Room, received widespread praise in the British press. The London Observer called The Delivery Room “one of the most outstanding and properly adult novels of recent years… For once, the word ‘unforgettable’ is justified.” Counterpoint will publish The Delivery Room in the US in Winter 2009.

Learn more about Sylvia’s other novels, including Pages for You and The Metaphysical Touch, and her book of stories, Ten Women Who Shook the World. You can also read some of her reviews and essays, and learn more about a writer the critic James Wood has called “obviously one of the most exciting new writers of her generation” at http://www.sylviabrownrigg.com/

March 19 Meeting. A big welcome to Kit Kennedy and her open mic experience.

2008-02-26T18:22:00.001-08:00

Betty's List Bookclub is very excited to once again have Kit Kennedy and her stable of outstanding readers organizing an open mic night experience for us. If you are a writer, please feel free to bring a short excerpt of your novel, or a compelling poem, or a bit of memoir to share.

See you there!
Cynthia K

March/April Calendar

2008-02-24T15:50:00.000-08:00

Here's what I know so far about the March/April Calendar. As soon as the facilitators send me the details of their meetings, I will post them here.

Enjoy your reading. Cynthia K

Rebel Readers
Next book is The Famished Road by Ben Okri
March 19 at 6:30 at a Member's House
April Book is March by Geraldine Brooks
This group is complete

Tuesday Evening Book Nuts
Next book is The Tea House Fire by Ellis Avery
April 1 at 6:30 at Duboce Park Cafe
This group welcomes new members...just read the book and turn up!

Can't Fail Group
Next book is Lolita in Tehran
April 20 at noon at a member's house
May book is A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle
This group is complete

Discovery Group
Next book is Senator's Wife by Sue Miller
April 17 meeting at 7:00 at a Members House
This group is complete

Discovery Group 2
Next book is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon
April 9 meeting at 6:30 at a Member's House
May book is Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet
This group is looking for 1 or 2 more members (contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to join)

Book Goddesses
Next Book is More Like Wrestling by Danyel Smith
March 30 meeting at 4 pm at a member's house
April Book is The Bean Treas by Barbara Kingsolver

New East Bay Group
Next Book is Tall Grass by Sandra Dallas
March 18 meeting is at 6:30 at a Members house
Contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to be in this new group.

Huge Thanks to Lucy Bledsoe....Great Reading!

2008-02-21T20:35:00.000-08:00

A huge thanks to Lucy Bledsoe for her terrific reading from her new book Apple. And thanks to the members of the Betty's List Book Club for the great turnout. Rachel Herbert and her wonderful staff take such superb care of us!

Lucy Bledsoe reads from her novel Apple.

Lucy Bledsoe enjoying Betty Sullivan's Introduction.

Dr. Betty Sullivan among the daffodils.

Full house at the Duboce Park Cafe.

Jen and Heather enjoy Lucy's reading.

Lucy Bledsoe reads for the Betty's List Book Club

Lucy's friend from High School~

Guess which one is the Birthday Girl?

Lucy Bledsoe, author of Apple, with Betty's List Book Club Co-chair, and author of Book Savvy, Cynthia Lee Katona.

Valentine's Day Febraury 14 The Perfect Gift

2008-02-03T14:43:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day to all my favorite readers. Give the gift of books and passionate conversation this Valentine's day...I'll be delighted to inscribe something sexy in a copy of Book Savvy for your favorite reader. Enjoy.
Cynthia K

February 20 Featured Speaker Lucy Jane Bledsoe

2008-01-26T09:18:00.000-08:00

Lucy Jane Bledsoe is a novelist and science writer. When she's not writing, she's sea kayaking in Alaska, backpacking in the Rockies, or backcountry skiing in the Sierras. When she's not kayaking, hiking, or skiing, she's reading.

Bledsoe's newest novel, BITING THE APPLE, came out in Fall 2007. She is the author of three other novels: SWEAT: STORIES AND A NOVELLA, WORKING PARTS, and THIS WILD SILENCE. She is also the author of five novels for children: THE BIG BIKE RACE, TRACKS IN THE SNOW (winner of the Parents Choice Gold Award), COUGAR CANYON, HOOP GIRLZ (one of BOOKLIST'S "Top Ten Youth Sports Books" for 2002), and THE ANTARCTIC SCOOP. Her novels have been translated into Japanese, Spanish, and German, and her stories into Dutch and Chinese.

Her fiction has won a California Arts Council Individual Fellowship in Literature, an American Library Association Award for Literature, and has been a three-time finalist for the Lambda Literary Award. She's also won a PEN Syndicated Fiction Award, a National Endowment for the Humanities Youthgrant, a Barbara Deming Memorial Money for Women grant, a Puffin Foundation grant, and two National Science Foundation Artists & Writers in Antarctica Fellowships.

Looking forward to seeing you all at the Duboce Park Cafe at 6:30 sharp on February 20!
Cynthia K

January 16 Ellis Avery Featured Speaker!

2007-12-23T14:37:00.000-08:00

Betty's List Book Club welcomes Ellis Avery as the tenth in our series of outstanding readers and and speakers. The event starts promptly at 6:30, and we encourage you to come early and get a bite to eat and a glass of wine at Rachel Herbert's wonderful Duboce Park Cafe.

"Saturated with color and detail; [Avery] manages to make nineteenth-century Japan both accessible and exotic, infusing her story with a sense of dignified calm...[A] deeply engrossing, multifaceted work." The Boston Globe

"Ellis Avery studied tea ceremony for several years, so it makes sense that the ritual dominates her first novel." Entertainment Weekly.

"Ellis Avery's book The Teahouse Fire is the most perfect evocation of Japanese Tea Culture to ever arrive on Western Shores. A well-written, gripping story of extreme subtlety." Cynthia Lee Katona, Author of Book Savvy.

Save the date...see you there.
Cynthia K

Huge Thanks to Elana Dykewoman...Great Reading!

2007-12-19T23:36:00.001-08:00

A huge thanks to Elana Dykewoman for her terrific reading from her work-in-progress, Risk, and her many other fine books. And thanks to the members of the Betty's List Book Club for the huge turnout. Rachel Herbert and her wonderful staff take such superb care of us!

Dr. Betty Sullivan presides over her famous Door Prizes.

Helping Betty pick the winners.

Elana Dykewoman reads for the Betty's List Book Club.

A toast to Betty's List readers.

Winnie listens intently among the tulips.

Elana's rapt community of listeners.

Lee, Kathy and Ginny watching Elana read.

Elana and Betty's Group readers.

Elana Dykewoman, author of Pale Fire, and Cynthia Lee Katona, Betty's List Book Club Co-chair, and author of Book Savvy.

Stay tuned for information about our January Speaker!

February Calendar

2007-11-19T11:33:00.000-08:00

Here's what I know so far about the February Calendar. As soon as the facilitators send me the details of their meetings, I will post them here.

Yikes...looks like we need to start an additional East Bay Group in March, which will meet in wheel chair accessible locations. Let me have your name if you are interested! Write to BookSavvy@aol.com.

Enjoy your reading. Cynthia K

Rebel Readers
Next book is Three Cups of Tea by Mortenson and Relin
February 13 at 6:30 at a Member's House
March Book is The Famished Road by Ben Okri
This group is complete

Tuesday Evening Book Nuts
Next book is The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
February 19 at 6:30 at Duboce Park Cafe
This group welcomes new members...just turn up!

Can't Fail Group
Next book is The Collected Stories of Grace Paley
February 10 at a member's house
March book is Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser
April book is Lolita in Tehran
This group is complete

Discovery Group
Next book is Patron Saint of Liars
February 21 meeting at 6:30 at a Members House
This group is complete

Discovery Group 2
Next book is Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen
February 13 meeting at 6:30 at a Member's House
This group is looking for 1 or 2 more members (contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to join)

Book Goddesses
Next Book is Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
February 24 meeting at 4 pm at a member's house

New East Bay Group
This group will meet in wheelchair accessible locations.
First meeting will be in March.
Contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to be in this new group.

New SF Group
Contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to be part of this group.

December 19 Welcome Speaker Elana Dykewoman!

2007-11-19T11:25:00.000-08:00

Betty's List Book Club welcomes Elana Dykewoman as the ninth in our series of outstanding readers and and speakers. The event starts promptly at 6:30, and we encourage you to come early and get a bite to eat and a glass of wine at Rachel Herbert's wonderful Duboce Park Cafe.

Check out Elana’s new and forthcoming work:

“Foreword” and three poems in What I Want From You – Voices of East Bay Lesbian Poets, edited by Linda Zeiser and Trena Machado, Raw Art Press, 2006

“Seeking Welcome,” in Love, Castro Street, edited by Katherine Forrest and Jim Van Buskirk, Alyson, Spring 2007

“Are We Ready to Throw Our Weight Around? – Fat Women and Political Activism,” co-authored with Esther Rothblum, forthcoming in The Fat Studies Reader, edited by Esther Rothblum and Sondra Solovay, University of California Press, fall, 2007

Revisiting our First Blog Notice for New Members

2007-11-18T10:45:00.000-08:00

The Betty's List Book Club has grown so large and so quickly, that we have many new members who already don't know how it all started. My original idea was to get together a nice book group of 6 to 10 women to attend myself. But then I hooked up with Betty and Betty's list and my modest idea grew into a book league with seven book groups meeting all over the Bay Area, and a Speaker's Night (every third Wednesday at Rachel Herbert's delightful Duboce Park Cafe). Thank you all for being avid readers, and making this book club your own! Cynthia K.

Here is an excerpt from our original post:

So let’s begin. What do you think of these reasons to read from Book Savvy? What books do you think are essential reading? What do you want in a book club? What else do you want to talk about? Help shape the Betty’s Book Club experience with your ideas and expertise.

Eleven Reasons to Make Reading an Important Part of Your Life:
Reading for Information
Reading to Understand Others
Reading to Know Oneself
Reading for Fun
Reading for Ideas
Reading as Virtual Travel
Reading to Become a Part of Our Culture
Reading for Suspense
Reading for the Love of Beauty
Reading for Glimpses of Perfection
Reading to Develop Thinking, Writing and Conversational Skills

We're still looking for your answers to all those questions, and we want to continue to grow the book club in ways that meet your needs (See the November calendar for a new wheelchair accessible group). And don't forget Book Savvy makes a great Christmas present....Cheers. Have a safe and wonderful holiday season.

November Calendar

2007-10-20T17:06:00.001-07:00

Here's what I know so far about the November Calendar. As soon as the facilitators send me the details of their meetings, I will post them here.

The East Bay Group is officially formed.

Yikes...looks like we need to start an additional East Bay Group in March, which will meet in wheel chair accessible locations. Let me have your name if you are interested! Write to BookSavvy@aol.com.

Enjoy your reading. Cynthia K

Rebel Readers
Next book is Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
November 14 at 6:30 at a Member's House
This group is complete

Tuesday Evening Book Nuts
Next book is The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards
November 27 at 6:30 at Duboce Park Cafe
This group welcomes new members

Can't Fail Group
Next book is Of Mice and Men by Steinbeck
October 20 at a member's house
Next books are Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison,
and A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
This group is complete

Discovery Group
Next books are Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy,
and Truth and Beauty by Ann Pachett
October 25 at 6:30 at a Members House
This group is complete

East Bay Group
First Book is Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
November 25 at 4pm at a member's house
This group is already complete

New East Bay Group
This group will meet in wheelchair accessible locations.
First meeting will be in March.
Contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to be in this new group.

New SF Group
Contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to be part of this group.

November 14 Valerie Miner Featured Speaker

2007-10-14T18:59:00.000-07:00

After Eden is an elegant, provocative novel, whose dramatic plot examines issues of home and homelessness in a rural California valley. After Eden tackles a range of contemporary dramas such the devastating fires that threaten the West every year and fraught definitions of community.
Throughout the novel, Miner juxtaposes varying cultural definitions of wilderness and trespassing and home. Characters include Pomo Indians; Euro-American ranchers and vintners; Mexican American migrant laborers.
The story follows Emily from her arrival in the Valley where she plans to relax in her cabin, far away from her “real” life as a city planner in Chicago. The sudden death of her partner causes Emily to examine personal commitments to work, family and home. During this disturbing and restorative period of personal reflection, she also comes to understand in a deeper way the inter-cultural complexities of life in the Valley.
After Eden traces Emily’s story as it moves from loss to renewal for both the individual and the community. A decidedly feminist view of the New West, After Eden weaves lyrical prose with a different look at “family values” and what it really means to be human.

Valerie Miner is the award-winning author of thirteen books. She teaches at Stanford University and travels internationally, giving readings, lectures and workshops. www.valerieminer.com

Join us for another great reading in our monthly speaker's series.
Cynthia K.

It was a great event. Thanks!

2007-10-04T18:17:00.000-07:00

October/November Calendar

2007-09-27T20:47:00.001-07:00

Here's what I know so far about the October/November Calendar. As soon as the facilitators send me the details of their meetings, I will post them here. The East Bay Group is currently forming. If you would like to be included, contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com.

Yikes...looks like we need to start a new SF group too! Let me have your name if you are interested!

Enjoy your reading. Cynthia K

Rebel Readers
Next book is Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
November 14 at 6:30 at a Member's House
This group is complete

DykeRead
Next book is Wicked by Gregory Maguire
October 16 at 6:30 at Duboce Park Cafe
This group welcomes new members

Can't Fail Group
Next book is Of Mice and Men by Steinbeck
October 20 at a member's house
Next books are Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison,
and A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
This group is complete

Discovery Group
Next books are Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy,
and Truth and Beauty by Ann Pachett
October 25 at 6:30 at a Members House
This group is complete

New East Bay Group
Next Book is to be decided at the first meeting
October 27 at 11:00am at a member's house
This group is nearly formed. If you would like to be included,
contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com to add your name to the list.

New SF Group
Contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like to be part of this group.

October 17, 2007 Kit Kennedy Poetry Night/Open Mic

2007-09-27T20:40:00.001-07:00

A Big Welcome to Kit Kennedy who will be featured with a number of other poets at the next Betty's Book List Speaker's Night at Duboce Park Cafe at 6:30pm on Wednesday October 17, 2007. Also, an Open Mic Opportunity.

Kit Kennedy is a walker, reader, poet, cook for her friends, and lover of cheese. Her poems appear in All Things Girl, Arsenic Lobster, Bayou, Bombay Gin, Cezanne's Carrot, Erosha, FriGG, Gay & Lesbian Review, The Hiss Quarterly, Mannequin Envy, Pearl, Poetry Super Highway, Right Hand Pointing, Runes, Saranac Review, Sinister Wisdom, Triplopia, Van Gogh's Ear, and The Wild Goose Poetry Review. She hosts the monthly All Poets Welcome Reading Series at Gallery Cafe in San Francisco.

THERE WILL ALSO BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FOLKS TO READ A FAVORITE POEM OR EVEN A POEM OF THEIR OWN. PLEASE BRING SOMETHING WITH YOU TO SHARE IF YOU'D LIKE. OTHERWISE, JUST GET READY TO HEAR SOME REALLY GREAT STUFF.
Cynthia K

Huge Thanks to Jamison Green...Great Q & A!!!

2007-09-19T21:37:00.000-07:00

A huge thanks to Jamison Green for his terrific reading from his book Becoming a Visible Man. And thanks to the members of the Betty's List Book Club for the great turnout. Rachel Herbert and her wonderful staff take such superb care of us!

Jamison Green, author of Becoming a Visible Man, speaks to the Betty's List Book Club

Folks listening raptly to Jamison's reading

Georgette and Janis enjoy Jamison's reading

Melissa listens attentively

Jen and Friend during the Q & A period

Jamison answers questions with humor and wisdom

Cynthia Lee Katona, Betty's List Book Club Co-chair, and author Jamison Green

September 19 Speaker. Welcome Jamison Green

2007-09-05T12:36:00.000-07:00

Mr. Green is known as an articulate champion for the legal protection, medical access, safety, civil rights and dignity of all trans people, everywhere. He has published several essays and articles, and writes a column for PlanetOut.com. His book, Becoming A Visible Man, published in 2004, is being adopted as a text in numerous universities and colleges. Becoming a Visible Man received the 2004 Sylvia Rivera Award for Best Book in Transgender Studies from the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies (CLAGS) in New York City. It was also a finalist for a 2004 Lambda Literary Award.

Please join us for another exciting evening of literature, laughter, good conversation and good food.
Duboce Park Cafe at 6:30 on September 19, 2007.

September/October Calendar

2007-08-30T16:12:00.001-07:00

Here's what I know so far about the September/October Calendar. As soon as the facilitators send me the details of their meetings, I will post them here. I am collecting names for a new East Bay Group. I have seven names already. Contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like me to put you in touch with one of the group facilitators, or if you would like to start a new group yourself.

Yikes...looks like we need to start a new SF group too! Let me have your name if you are interested!

Enjoy your summer!

Cynthia K.

Rebel Readers
Next book is The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
October 10 at 6:30 at a Member's House
This group is complete

DykeRead
Next book is Wicked by Gregory Maguire
October 16 at 6:30 at Duboce Park Cafe
This group welcomes new members

Can't Fail Group
Next Book is Picture Palace by Paul Theroux
Next books: Of Mice and Men, Bastard Out of Carolina, and A Christmas Carol
September 29 at 11:00 at Hogs Island Oyster Company
This group is complete

Discovery Group
Next book is Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier
Taking a Summer Break in September
October 25 at 6:30 at a Members House
This group is complete

New East Bay Group
I will be collecting names for this new group. I have 7 so far.
Contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com to add your name to the list.
Half of us are meeting after the speaker on the 19th...join us to help plan the first meeting.

October 3, 2007 For your Calendars

2007-08-19T16:54:00.000-07:00

If you didn't get to hear Betty's List Book Club's first speaker, the remarkable Renate Stendhal, you're in luck. She will be appearing on October 3rd at the Commonwealth Club. I'm really looking forward to interviewing her about Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas' controversial relationship.
Cynthia K.

COMMONWEALTH CLUB OF CALIFORNIA

LGBT MEMBER LED FORUM

OCTOBER 3

GERTRUDE AND ALICE: THE CENTENNIAL OF A CONTROVERSIAL RELATIONSHIP

Renate Stendhal, Author, Gertrude Stein In Words and Pictures: A Photobiography

Moderator: Cynthia Lee Katona, Professor, Ohlone College; Author, Book Savvy

Alice B. Toklas and Gertrude Stein’s relationship has been considered in turn shocking, a reason for feminist celebration, critique and the object of intense speculation. This talk will explore how the most famous lesbian couple of modern times has stirred the imagination of readers ever since their salon became “one of the best rooms in the finest museum.” (Hemingway)

Location:
595 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 597-6700
Time: 5:30 p.m. reception, 6 p.m. program
Cost: $8 members, $15 non-members
Program Organizer: Laurie Wagner
wagner.laurie@gmail.com

Huge Thanks to Ali Liebegot...Great Reading!

2007-08-16T15:00:00.000-07:00

A huge thanks to Ali Liebegot for her terrific reading from her new book The Ihop Papers. And thanks to the members of the Betty's List Book Club for the great turnout. Rachel Herbert and her wonderful staff take such superb care of us!

Betty presides over the traditional door prizes with Karen's assistance.

Terry wins a copy of Book Savvy.

Ali reads to much laughter from The Ihop Papers.

Lee, Betty and Chris give Ali their total attention.

More members enjoying the reading.

Ali tells it like it is.

Jennifer, Melissa and Beth enjoy Ali's reading.

Ali Liebegot, author of The Ihop Papers, with Cynthia Lee Katona, Co-chair of the Betty's book club, and author of Book Savvy

August 15 Speaker. Welcome Ali Liebegott!

2007-07-25T10:46:00.000-07:00

Michelle Tea, whose spectacular reading in July wowed the Betty's List Book Club, has made it possible for us to have another Sister Spit touring author come read to us in August. Ali Liebegott has been writing stories and poems since she was a teenager, and her work has appeared in numerous journals and anthologies. In 2005 her book-length poem The Beautifully Worthless was published by Suspect Thoughts Press and was recently awarded a Lambda Literary Award. Her novel the IHOP Papers came out in January 2007. Currently she is finishing an illustrated novel called The Crumb People.

Please join us for another exciting evening of literature, laughter, good conversation and good food.
Duboce Park Cafe at 6:30 on August 15, 2007.

Cynthia K.

August Calendar

2007-07-23T22:19:00.000-07:00

Here's what I know so far about the August Calendar. As soon as the facilitators send me the details of their meetings, I will post them here. The Discovery Group is accepting members, and I am collecting names for a new East Bay Group. Contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like me to put you in touch with one of the group facilitators, or if you would like to start a new group yourself.

Enjoy your summer!

Cynthia K.

Rebel Readers
Next book is The Law of Dreams: A Novel by Peter Behrens
August 29 at 6:30 at a Member's House
September Book is The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
This group is complete

DykeRead
Next book is Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
August 28 at 6:30 at Duboce Park Cafe Please Note...Meeting Cancelled.
September's book is Wicked by Gregory Maguire
Date to be Announced
This group is complete

Can't Fail Group
Next Book is Madame Bovary by Flaubert
August 19 at 11:00 at Member's House
This group is complete

Discovery Group
Next book is Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier
Taking a Summer Break in September
October 10 at 6:30 at a Members House
Seeking members

New East Bay Group
I will be collecting names for this new group. I have 4 so far.
Contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com to add your name to the list.

Huge Thanks to Michelle Tea!

2007-07-20T11:56:00.000-07:00

A Huge thanks to Michelle Tea for her spirited reading from Rose of No Man's Land...You rock!

Betty Sullivan starts the festivities with the traditional raffle of copies of Book Savvy and gift certificates from Good Vibrations!

Michelle Tea reads from her most excellent novel Rose of No Man's Land.

Rachel Herbert and the crew of Duboce Park Cafe take great care of Book Club members!

Book club members enjoy Michelle's humor and perfect timing.

New member Cathy considers MIchelle's prose.

Book club members watching and listening.

Michelle answers provocative questions with a glint in her eyes.

Book club members enjoying the food at Duboce Park Cafe and listening to Michelle Tea.

Cynthia Lee Katona, Book Club Co-chair, and author of Book Savvy, with speaker Michelle Tea.

Walkabout in the Southwest July 11-16

2007-07-07T12:21:00.000-07:00

My last walkabout was so terrific, I've decided to return for a short encore. I will answer all mail at BookSavvy@aol.com on my return.

A huge thanks to those of you who went to the Book Convention and touted Book Savvy. Sales are way up! If you have recently bought a copy, please bring it to the book club on the 18th so I can put a provocative inscription in it ( I learned something about that from Katia Noyes).

Looking forward to seeing you all at the Duboce Park Cafe on July 18 for our terrific speaker Michelle Tea.

Cynthia K.

July Speaker Michelle Tea July 18....Be There!

2007-06-26T10:10:00.000-07:00

Michelle Tea is an author, poet and ex-prostitute. She's a prolific young writer who is an unabashed hit in the San Francisco queer literacy community. Originally from Chelsea, MA, Tea co-founded of the original Sister Spit experience, a nationally successful traveling girl-poetry road show. She is known for her live performances, public speaking and published works, including four memoirs, three anthologies and several novels. She's been called the poet laureate of the San Francisco's Mission District, and has been profiled by KQED, afterEllen.com, Curve Magazine and more. She is host and cookie baker for the monthly Radar Reading Series at the San Francisco Public Library.

July Calendar

2007-06-23T13:36:00.000-07:00

Here's what I know so far about the July Calendar. As soon as the facilitators send me the details of their meetings, I will post them here. The Can't Fail group is full, but all other groups are accepting members. Contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com if you would like me to put you in touch with one of the group facilitators.

Enjoy your summer!

Cynthia K.

Rebel Readers
Next book is The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro
July 25 at 6:30 at a member's house

DykeRead
Next book is The Night Watch by Sarah Waters
July 31 at 6:30pm at the Duboce Park Cafe

Can't Fail Group
Next Book is Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
July 22 at 6:30 at Ton Kiang Restaurant
This group is complete

Discovery Group
Next book is Eat/Pray/Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.
July 11 at 6:30 at a member's house.

Huge Thanks to Stellar Guest Katia Noyes

2007-06-22T13:36:00.000-07:00

Thanks very much to Katia Noyes and all the great Betty's List Book Club members who made the latest event in our speaker series such a terrific success.

.
Katia Noyes reading from her new book Crashing America

Marla and Carol listening intently

Renee and Chris enjoying Katia's reading

Katia Noyes and Cynthia Lee Katona (Betty's List Book Club Co-chair) holding Katia's new book Crashing America

I'm back. Looking forward to seeing you on the 20th.

2007-06-16T21:22:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone:

As you can see I had a terrific walkabout and lots of photo ops. I'm looking forward to seeing you all on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 for our featured speaker Katia Noyes.

Cynthia K

Walkabout in the Southwest

2007-05-20T16:55:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone:

I'm finishing up my final exams this week, and getting ready to take off on my annual walkabout in the Southwest. I'll be back with pictures of Death Valley, Bodie, the new lookout on the Grand Canyon, Hopi's third Mesa, the floor of Canyon d' Chelly, and Santa Fe. If you send any notes to me about club dates after this Friday, you can expect the information to be posted mid-June. Hope you are all looking forward to exciting summer plans. See you on June 20 at Duboce Park Cafe for speaker Katia Noyes.

Cynthia K.

June 20, 2007 Speaker: Katia Noyes

2007-05-19T11:25:00.002-07:00

I'm delighted to announce that the speaker for the June 20, 2007 meeting of the Betty's List Book Club is Katia Noyes. I'm looking forward to seeing you all at the Duboce Park Cafe. The speaker will start at 6:30, so be sure to come early for dinner, socializing and a glass of wine.

For more information about Ms. Noyes:
http://www.crashingamerica.com/bio.html

Cynthia K

Carol Queen: What an Exciting Speaker. Thanks!

2007-05-17T18:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Carol Queen for her exciting and inspiring reading.

Great question and answer period with our amazing Betty's List Book Club members.

The Traditional Betty's List Raffle.

Michelle wins a copy of Book Savvy by Cynthia Lee Katona

New Betty's List Book Club member.

Nancy gives Carol her full attention.

Members Ginny, Gilda and Melissa.

Thanks to Rachel Herbert for the great venue: Duboce Park Cafe.

Dr. Queen signing her books.

Carol Queen and Cynthia Lee Katona (Betty's List Book Club Co-chair)

Cynthia K

June Calendar

2007-05-12T13:20:00.000-07:00

Ok, everybody....here's what I know about June. If the Facilitators or members will email me at BookSavvy@aol.com with any additional details, I'll make sure they get posted here. Thanks.

Isn't reading in the sun glorious!

DykeRead
Next book is The Incantation of Frida K by Kate Braverman
June 26, 2007 at 6;30 at Duboce Park Cafe

Rebel Readers
Next book is Camel Club by David Baldacci.
June 27, 2007 at 6:30 at a members house.

Can't Fail Group
Next book is Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury.
June 30, 2007 at 4pm at a members house.

Discovery Group
Next book is Bel Canto by Ann Pachett.
June 13 at 6:15 at the Duboce Park Cafe.
Additional Members welcome.

History of Love Group
Next book is Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.
June 21 at 6:30pm at a member's House
Additional Members welcome

May 16, 2007 Our Next Speaker: Carol Queen

2007-04-24T19:48:00.000-07:00

We are very much looking forward to our next Betty's List Book Club Speaker: Carol Queen.

Be there at the Duboce Park Cafe at 6:30 Sharp!

Here is what Ms. Queen does, in her own words, as a writer:

I write explicit fiction and memoir, essays, commentary, analysis, book and film/video reviews, reportage, and interviews. My work has been published in many periodicals and has been widely anthologized, and I have several books in print. I publish a sex and relationship advice column which is available at the Good Vibrations Magazines at www.goodvibes.com. I publish a monthly opinion column, The Royal Treatment, in the Spectator Magazine [www.spectatormag.com], which also appears on Libido Magazine's website [www.libidomag.com].

For more information, visit Ms. Queen's website at: www.carolqueen.com

Cynthia K

The May Calendar....Help!

2007-04-22T11:28:00.000-07:00

Ok, everybody....here's what I know about May. If the Facilitators or members will email me at BookSavvy@aol.com with any additional details, I'll make sure they get posted here. Thanks.

Watch for news about our May Speaker!

If you want to join a group, just let me know.

Can't Fail Group
"Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert
May 6 at 11:30am at Member's House

History of Love Group
Reading "The Namesake" by Lahiri
May 17 at 6:30pm at Member's House

Discovery Group
"Oranges are not the Only Fruit" by Winterson
May 9 at 6:20 pm at the Duboce park Cafe
Next meetings: June 13 and July 11

Rebel Readers
"American Woman" by Susan Choi
May 30 at 6:30pm at Members House

FYWRTA Group
"Little Children" by Tom Perrotta
May 2 at 6:30pm at Member's House

New Group....DykeRead
"On Beauty" by Zadie Smith
May 29 at 6:30pm at Duboce Park Cafe

Jewell Gomez April 18, 2007

2007-04-19T09:14:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Rachel Herbert (left) for opening up her wonderful Duboce Park Cafe to the Betty's List Book Club.
Cynthia K.

Thank You! Jewelle Gomez!

2007-04-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

Co-chairs, Betty Sullivan and Cynthia Lee Katona, with speaker Extraordinaire, Jewelle Gomez (center).

Thanks to everyone who made Wednesday's reading by Jewelle Gomez such a terrific success!

If Facilitators will send me their May plans, I will publish a new calendar after this weekend. Thanks.
Readers Rule.
Cynthia K.

Literary Social-Networking Sites from Book Savvy

2007-04-06T10:36:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone:

Here is a list of 24/7 literary social-networking sites from Book Savvy to satisfy readers all hours of the day and night:

Goodreads.com
Profiles, joint discussions, reviews, popularity index

Shelfari.com
Virtual shelving system...get your library in order

Librarything.com
My favorite...connects members with similar books

Bookswellread.com
Public and private forums to comment on books

Whatsonmybookshelf.com
Book swapping at its best

Enjoy!
Cynthia K

Whole Group April 18 Featuring Jewelle Gomez

2007-04-04T15:44:00.000-07:00

Betty's List Book Club is proud to present the next author in our series of speakers: Jewelle Gomez.
Here is a little bit about Jewelle...for more, go to her website at: Jewelle Gomez.com.

Jewelle Gomez is a writer and activist and the author of the double Lambda Award-winning novel, THE GILDA STORIES from Firebrand Books. Her adaptation of the book for the stage -- Bones & Ash: a Gilda Story---was performed by the Urban Bush Women company in 13 U.S. cities.

She is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts literature fellowship and two California Arts Council fellowships.

Her fiction, essays, criticism and poetry have appeared in numerous periodicals. Among them: The San Francisco Chronicle, The New York Times, The Village Voice; The Advocate, Ms Magazine, ESSENCE Magazine and Black Scholar. Her work has appeared in such anthologies as HOME GIRLS, READING BLACK READING FEMINIST, DAUGHTERS OF AFRICA, the OXFORD WORLD TREASURY OF LOVE STORIES and Best American Poetry of 2001.....more at website.

Help Me with the April Calender!

2007-04-04T15:28:00.000-07:00

I had a great Spring Break, but lost track of everyone and everything. Will the small group facilitators please email me with their April/May plans, and I will add the information here. Please excuse me if you have already send this information to me...this is all I know for certain right now:

Can't Fail Group
"Oranges are not the Only Fruit" by Winterson
April 15 at 11:30am at Member's House

Discovery Group
"Oranges are not the Only Fruit" by Winterson
May 9 at 6:30pm at the Duboce Park Cafe
Next meetings: June 13 and July 11

Rebel Readers
"The Wind-up Bird Chronicles" by Murakami
April 25 at 6:30 at Member's House
Also:
"American Woman" by Susan Choi
May 30 at 6:30 at Members House

History of Love Group
"Blindness" by Jose Saramago
April 19 at 6:00 at Member's House

FYWRTA Group
"Little Children" by Tom Perrotta
May 2 at 6:30 at Member's House

New Group ...DykeRead
"Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
May 1 6:30 at Duboce Park Cafe

If you are looking for a group, or want to change groups...please contact me at BookSavvy@aol.com, and I will try to put you in touch with the appropriate facilitator. Facilitators...remember to add me to your mailing list: BookSavvy@aol.com.

If you are in any of these groups and can provide me with the remaining details...please do so ASAP.

Many thanks...keep reading
Cynthia K

Mark your Calendars for April 18, 2007

2007-03-22T22:10:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone for the great turnout!
Mark your calendars for April 18, 2007.
Betty's List Book Club will be hosting Jewelle Gomez.
More details to follow.
Cynthia K.

Thank You Renate Stendhal!

2007-03-21T23:27:00.000-07:00

A huge thank you to Renate Stendhal for her inspiring talk about Gertrude Stein! It was great to see all the Betty's List Book Club members listening and asking provocative questions! Readers truly rule. Truly rule. Truly rule. Truly rule.

[I am going to be on Spring Break until April 2. When I get back, I will post more pictures from this wonderful event. I'll also answer comments to posts on my return, so keep those comments coming. Happy Holidays to all.]

Rebel Readers Next Meeting 3/28/07

2007-03-21T09:22:00.000-07:00

Renate Stendhal
Tonight 3/21/07
6:30 Sharp. Duboce Park Cafe
Can't wait to see everyone!
Cynthia K.

An Update from your excellent facilitator Marla:

Hi Rebel Readers,

Hope everyone is having a great month! I just wanted to do a quick check-in with some reminders of the upcoming schedule and directions to the location for our monthly book club discussion next week.

Upcoming Schedule:

- Tomorrow: Wed, 3/21 6:30 PM at the Duboce Park Cafe: Monthly Meeting of the full Betty's List Book Club with guest speaker Renate Stendhal, Ph.D. (see the blog - link below - for more information) - Hope to see you there!
- Next week: Wed, 3/28 6:30 PM at Amy's house for the Rebel Readers Book Club discussion of Geek Love

Visit the online blog for more information and book discussions: http://bettylistbooks.blogspot.com/

Our member Amy has generously offered her house as the location for this month's meeting. Her directions are [in the email to members]. I will send out them again next week prior to the meeting.

Happy Reading,
--Marla

Can't Fail Group Meeting 3/18/07

2007-03-19T17:01:00.000-07:00

Wednesday, March 21st, 6:30 PM at Duboce Park Cafe, San Francisco (Full Club Meeting). Let's fill the Duboce Cafe again with avid readers to hear Renate Stendhal on Gertrude Stein.

Really terrific meeting at Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe in Emeryville. Wharton would have loved the discussion of her Age of Innocence. Thanks very much for letting me join you. Cynthia K

Here's a note from your incredibly efficient facilitator:

Hello Can't Fail Group,

I had such a wonderful time with all of you yesterday. What a great discussion. We're the best!!!

We have picked, Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit, by Jeanette Winterson as our next book.

Meeting Schedule:

Sunday, April 15th, 11:30 AM at Jamie's House, [Address in the email to members]
(Let's discuss if we want to potluck, have food delivered, go out to eat, or just eat ahead of time.)

Since we are all coming from different directions, I'll let you mapquest it yourself.

Professor Cynthia, you are cordially invited. Hope to see you. [Thank you...my plan is to join you]

So, please email me with your preferred dining options for the 15th of April. Also, please email your preferred dates for our May meeting. Let's try to schedule that now if we can.

See you on Wednesday!

Thank you!!!

Peace,
Eileen

Discovery Group 3/14/07

2007-03-16T17:20:00.000-07:00

I hope you all noticed that the Betty's List Book Club was featured in OutNow (ON) magazine.

Thank you for inviting me to this discussion...I really enjoyed all of your insights. Here is the information about the next meeting from your excellent new facilitator, Ginny:

Hello Gals,

We had a good discussion this week about Bastard Out of Carolina. Very disturbing book. It was well worth another read for me. Thank you Cynthia for leading our discussion!

We gave our book club a name: Discovery Group. Our next meeting is in four weeks on 4/11, at Duboce Cafe, 6:30. We decided to read Susan Sontag's Volcano Lover. Roz agreed to facilitate our discussion next month. To aid discussion, we agreed to each bring a couple/few questions we have about the book and to pose them to the group next time.

Happy Reading!
Ginny

Because of work conflicts, this excellent group lost a couple participants. Please let me know if you are looking for a book group, and I'll put you in touch with Ginny.
Cynthia K.

Book Savvy. 2nd ed. Thanks for Your Help!

2007-03-08T19:41:00.000-08:00

Betty's List Book Club Members:
When Book Savvy goes into its second edition, I hope to have an additional 44 entries to add to the 88 already in print. Your book selections are an inspiration to me! After the spirited discussion in the Byatt group last week, I've decided to include Byatt's Little Black Book of Stories in Book Savvy

Here's a pre-press look at the new entry. Unfortunately, the blog erases all the formatting and icons (my favorite part), but still, here it is:

Title: Little Black Book of Stories
Author: A. S. Byatt
Genre: Short Stories Number of Pages: 240 Date: 2003
Level of Challenge: 5

Synopsis:
This contemporary book of “fairy tales” is as dark a batch of reading as one is likely to find this side of the Brother’s Grimm and Faulkner. There are five stories in the anthology, probing the depths of the holocaust, the medical world, lapidary fantasy, creative writing, and madness. It is a tour d’ force of metaphor, archetype and unbelievably compelling language.

Quotations:
“They watched each other warily, offering bland snippets of
autobiography in politely hushed voices….Circling like beaters,
they approached the covert thing in the forest.” Pg. 23.

“He was overcome with dreadful love and grief. She was a person.
She had not been there, and now she was there, and she was
the person he loved.” Pg. 105.

“Her metamorphosis obeyed no known law of physics or chemistry:
ultramafic black rocks and ghostly Iceland spar formed in
succession, and clung together.” Pg. 122.

“Every year they wrote melodrama. They clearly needed to write
melodrama. He had given up telling them that Creative
Writing was not a form of psychotherapy.” Pg. 159.

Reading Hints:
In an anthology of short stories, all by the same author, it is interesting to look for threads and themes that may unify what otherwise looks like a random selection of unrelated tales. Readers may want to explore the ways in which these five, seemingly different stories, are actually quite a bit alike, not just in presentation, but in content and theme.

Others by Byatt: Possession: A Romance (novel), Angels and Insects (novel), and The Matisse Stories (short stories).

Rebel Readers First Meeting

2007-03-04T16:18:00.000-08:00

Many thanks to Marla who did a tremendous job of making the first meeting of the "Rebel Readers" both fun and informative.
Byatt's Little Black Book of Stories was challenging, but made for a great discussion.

Here are the details from Marla for next time:

We have scheduled our next meeting for Wednesday, 3/28, at 6:30 pm. We will be meeting at a member's house.
Our book for next time (March 28th) is: Geek Love by Katherine Dunn.
I read and thoroughly enjoyed this one a while ago and reviewing the many raves on the web made me excited about re-reading it prior to our meeting.

Here are links for this book at the Amazon and the SF Public Library:
http://www.amazon.com/Geek-Love-Katherine-Dunn/dp/0446391301

http://sflib1.sfpl.org/search?/tgeek+love/tgeek+love/1%2C2%2C4%2CB/frameset&FF=tgeek+love&1%2C%2C3/indexsort=-

Review and Reading Group Guide:
http://www.readinggroupguides.com/guides3/geek_love1.asp

Recorded Interview with Author:
http://wiredforbooks.org/katherinedunn/index.htm

Cynthia K

March 21 Meeting Welcome Renate Stendhal

2007-03-02T23:49:00.000-08:00

It is a real pleasure to confirm that Renate Stendhal will be speaking at the March 21st meeting of the Betty's List Book Club at the Duboce Park Cafe at 6:30pm.

Renate Stendhal, Pd.D. is a German-born, Paris-educated writer,
writing coach and counselor with a private practice
in San Francisco and Pt. Reyes Station. She has published several
books, including the award-winning photobiography
Gertrude Stein: In Words and Pictures and, most recently, True
Secrets of Lesbian Desire.
www.renatestendhal.com

Byatt Group

2007-02-25T11:07:00.000-08:00

The A.S. Byatt group will be meeting at the Duboce Park Cafe at 6:30 on February 28, 2007.

Here's some extra info from Marla for all of us:
"I found some interesting links on A. S. Byatt (listed below) that I wanted to share with you. The first link includes an interviews section which has some interviews with the author about the Little Black Book of Stories. The second link is her official site.

http://myhome.naver.com/ingemund/asbyatt/

http://www.asbyatt.com/

I hope the group will use this post as a place to keep in touch with each other and me.
Cynthia K

Impromptu Autograph Session

2007-02-24T12:04:00.000-08:00

Huge thanks to all of you who brought copies of Book Savvy to the February 21 meeting. I really enjoyed the impromptu book signing as it gave me a chance to talk individually to a few more members of the Betty's List Book Club. If your copy still isn't signed, be sure to bring it to the March 21 meeting.
Cynthia K.

History of Love Group

2007-02-23T23:24:00.000-08:00

Cheryl is graciously hosting:

"I am also confirming that our first meeting will take place on March 20, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. at my house which is located on Sanchez Street, San Francisco, CA. [Members have the address via her email] We have agreed to read “History of Love” as our first book. We are each encouraged to bring other suggestions to the next meeting for future books. We have also agreed to have the meeting as a quasi “potluck,” hopefully we will not have 6 bottles of wine and no food, but we will survive notwithstanding.

I am also confirming that we are extending an invitation to Cynthia to come to our first meeting [My plans are to join you later...thanks for the invite!] and, if she knows of others who would like to join our group, that she should put them in touch with one of us. [Will do...I expect some extra folks to turn up] Our thoughts are that we would meet on Thursday evening (I know that the first meeting is set for Tuesday, but…we are a flexible group so we are letting that be known from the start). We have agreed that we were more interested in fiction, but remain open to suggestions.

Looking forward to positive reading."

I hope you will all use this space to keep in touch with each other and me!

Can't Fail Group

2007-02-23T23:19:00.000-08:00

Here it is in Eileen's own words:

We have picked "The Age of Innocence" by Edith Wharton as our first book.
Since the book does not have a copyright, it is available for free from Project Gutenberg.
Click on the following link for available downloads:
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton - Project Gutenberg

Meeting Schedule:

Sunday, March 18th, 11:30 AM at Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe, Emeryville
Wednesday, March 21st, 6:30 PM at Duboce Park Cafe, San Francisco (Full Club Meeting)
Sunday, April 15th, 11:30 AM at Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe, Emeryville

Rudy's Can't Fail Cafe is located at 4081 Hollis Street, Emeryville, CA, Phone: (510) 594-1221
Link to Rudys Can't Fail Cafe - The best food you can get !!!!!!!!! Considering they make a "Green Eggs and Ham" Scramble, I think that we have picked the perfect place to meet. (Thanks for the tip, Anna!) Since we are all coming from different directions, I'll let you mapquest it yourself.

Professor Cynthia, you are cordially invited. [I'm honored and will certainly attend]

I hope you folks will use this post to keep in touch with each other and me.

Dorothy Allison Group

2007-02-23T23:12:00.000-08:00

Here's the deal, straight from your wonderful organizer Karen.

"We all decided on reading "Bastard out of Carolina" by Dorothy Allison as our first book. Our mini-group
meeting will be on Wednesday, March 14th at 6:30 PM at Duboce Cafe, one week
before our main Betty's List Book Club meeting the following week, on March
21st.

We have asked Cynthia Katona to join us and be our Discussion Leader for
this first round. (yeah!)" [I'm very honored and will certainly be there]

I hope you will use this post to keep in touch with each other and me!
Cynthia K

Burroughs Dry Group

2007-02-23T22:20:00.000-08:00

This group picked a name which I cannot put in the title line because I would be breaking the Blog's "terms of service," so I hope they will recognize themselves by the title of their book...lol.

This group will meet on Wednesday April 4th at the Duboce Park Cafe at 6:30 sharp. They will be discussing Dry by Augustine Burroughs. I hope you will use this Post as a place to keep in touch with each other and me.
Cynthia K.

February 21, 2007 Meeting Great Work. Bravo!

2007-02-23T15:56:00.000-08:00

Betty's List Book Club members ate, talked, laughed and formed up into five book groups! If you were there...thanks for your incredible cooperation and quick wittedness. If you missed the meeting, don't worry, we have spots for new members at the next meeting (Mark your calendars for Wednesday March 21).

Lots of folks wanted their own copy of the organization notes...here they are. As Organization Facilitators check in, I'll be putting up a separate post for each group, so that you can blog with each other. Keep watching this main blog; I'll be posting more over the weekend.

Let there be (Smaller) Groups

1. Divide into groups of at least 8, but not more than 10.

2. Have a quick group discussion to select a book.
•Each person, who wants to, throws out one title, and explains quickly why they think that it would be a great choice.
•Take a vote. The book with the most votes is it.

3. Pick someone to be the Organization Facilitator
•This person will FIRST collect a roster of names, phone numbers and emails from the members of the group.
•This person will lead a discussion of the time and date for the next two meetings of the individual group.
•This person will make a listserv of the members and send one email reminding everyone of what they decided about the book and date. Please include me on the email list (booksavvy@aol.com), so that I can set up a post on the blog through which your group can communicate. (bettylistbooks.blogspot.com)
•At the first meeting, you will pick a Discussion Facilitator, and decide if this job will rotate, and if so, how often. This person will have skills in group dynamics and how to keep the group focused on the book (for the first hour at least), and be sensitive to making sure everyone gets a chance to express her views.
•At the first meeting, pick a name for your group. I am already calling the first group the Byatt Group because of their first choice of book

4. I will attempt to attend the first meeting of each smaller group that invites me, and be there to answer questions and help out. (booksavvy@aol.com)

5. After tonight, I will be facilitating the Monthly Betty’s List Book Club Meeting for the entire group. At these meetings we can share our small group experiences. We will have speakers and other special book related events. These meetings will start exactly at 6:30 (or 7:00 if you decide that is more convenient). I encourage folks to come early and have dinner. The pastrami sandwich and lentil soup I had last time were outstanding.

Happy Reading,
CK

Betty's List Book Club Join Us February 21, 2007

2007-02-18T15:29:00.000-08:00

February 21, 2007 Meeting

2007-02-18T12:09:00.000-08:00

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

The turnout last week was delightfully staggering. I look forward to seeing all of you and your friends this Wednesday.

This meeting will finish the process of sorting folks into smaller, more manageable groups, perhaps around certain titles (Last week I suggested Atwell’s The Robber Bride, Sontag’s Volcano Lover, and Allison’s Bastard Out of Carolina. On the blog, various members have suggested: Diamant’s Red Tent, Proulx’s Wyoming Stories, Geek Love, Naslund’s Ahab’s Wife, and Lahiri’s Interpreter of Maladies among others). Or groups can accommodate their various schedules (there is nothing sacred about Wednesday nights). I also want to talk for just a minute or two about how to make a good book club choice, and the role of the individual group facilitators. Please feel free to append your thoughts about any of these things to this blog posting prior to our meeting.

Speaking of the blog. Many thanks to those of you who wrote in and started a discussion about books in the last weeks. For a lot of us, this is our first experience with blogging. As the reading groups form up, I will post a special area for each of you to communicate with each other, as well as continue to the handle the posts for the whole of the Betty’s List Book Club.

Note to Authors/Speakers

2007-02-13T17:19:00.000-08:00

I've been getting a lot of letters from authors generously offering to visit the Betty's List Book Club. We will certainly be featuring authors/speakers at the monthly meetings in future, once we get all the smaller reading groups formed and up and running. I am accepting review copies of books for consideration at this address:
Cynthia Lee Katona
Professor of English
Ohlone College
P.O. Box 3909
Fremont, CA 94539
All books sent will get a careful read and a personal response.

The Job of Facilitator

2007-02-01T19:54:00.000-08:00

I look forward to facilitating the Betty's List Book Club, and moderating the Book Club Blog. Please feel free to write to me and tell me if I am meeting your expectations, or if there is anything else I can do to make this a better experience for you.
Cynthia K

Thinking about Books

2007-02-01T19:40:00.000-08:00

One precocious group has already chosen their book, A.S. Byatt's Little Black Book of Stories. They plan to meet at the Duboce Park Cafe on February 28, 2007.

This is the post where I would love it if participants would comment on the books they would like to see us tackle in the upcoming months. Please take the time to explain your choices. And everyone should feel free to respond to each other.

This virtual conversation about books we admire might help us form into smaller groups at the next meeting, where I hope to talk to all the groups about some of the book club habits which tend to work and give reading groups the staying power they need to become a really meaningful part of people's lives.

Book Savvy Women at the Launch

2007-02-01T19:31:00.000-08:00

There were lots of Book Savvy women at the Duboce Park Cafe on January 31, 2007. I am looking forward to seeing you all again at the next meeting which is scheduled for February 21, 2007. If you couldn't make the first meeting, please feel free to join us at the next meeting, where we will be choosing up teams of readers, based on schedules, interests, and any other factors you think are important.

Thank You...All.

2007-02-01T19:25:00.000-08:00

First, I want to post a huge thank you to all the folks who made the Betty's List Book Club Launch such a huge success. Betty is the Promotion Guru of all time...Bravo. Rachel Herbert has a wonderful new venue at Duboce Park Cafe...thanks so much to her for letting us have that as a convivial and convenient place to meet. And mostly, thanks to all the passionate readers who showed up to be a part of what looks like it is not going to be just a book club, but a book league, with more than one group, and lots of vitality! Cynthia K

Where it's at!

2007-01-30T23:17:00.000-08:00

So many folks have been asking me directions, that I thought it would be helpful to publish this map. The Duboce Park Cafe is at 2 Sanchez. I look forward to seeing all of you at the Betty's List Book Club Launch, tomorrow night, January 31, 2007 at 6:30.

Planning Session

2006-12-15T11:12:00.000-08:00

Rachel Herbert and Cynthia Lee Katona get together to make plans for the first meeting of the Betty's List Book Club at Duboce Park Cafe.

Welcome to Betty's List Book Club Blog

2006-12-15T10:45:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Betty’s List Book Club Blog. Betty and I are excited about providing a safe, engaging and thoughtful space for GLBT readers to share their insights about the books they have read, their reading experiences, and their joy of reading.

In addition to contributing to Betty’s List Book Club Blog, I am looking forward to facilitating Betty’s real, live, in your face, happily social, and hopefully provocative Betty’s Book Club (beginning on January 31, 2007 at the beautiful Duboce Park Cafe). I am counting on readers of this “virtual venture” to help me shape the direction of that “real life adventure” with their comments and advice.

In thirty years of teaching community college literature, the one thing my students have taught me is that avid readers have many ways of approaching the books that they love. In my new book, Book Savvy, I have tried to present some of these “reasons to make reading an important part your life” to a wider audience in an attempt to encourage everyone to read more (quantity…way good) and read more meaningfully (quality…way better).

To begin our conversation here, I’d like to throw out eleven reasons to read for your consideration. If you know a twelfth reason, I’d love to have an even dozen. I’m also fishing for why you particularly like to read, so that I can select the first few books for the Betty’s List Book Club. Subsequent books will be easy for us to choose, once I get to know you all in real time.

So let’s begin. What do you think of these reasons to read? What books do you think are essential reading? What do you want in a book club? What else do you want to talk about? Help shape the Betty’s Book Club experience with your ideas and expertise.

Eleven Reasons to Make Reading an Important Part of Your Life:
Reading for Information
Reading to Understand Others
Reading to Know Oneself
Reading for Fun
Reading for Ideas
Reading as Virtual Travel
Reading to Become a Part of Our Culture
Reading for Suspense
Reading for the Love of Beauty
Reading for Glimpses of Perfection
Reading to Develop Thinking, Writing and Conversational Skills

Welcome…Let the Games Begin.

Cynthia Lee Katona
Professor and Author of Book Savvy