We enjoyed treats from One Eleven Coffee (Wyoming, IL) at our book group meeting on August 29th.  The book discussed was the Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace by Jeff Hobbs. The group enjoyed the research and writing style of the author but were disappointed (and angry) about how Rob was never able to realize his potential. Discussion focused a lot on "what ifs"--what if Rob's father had never been involved in his life, what if Rob had opted for a job outside of Newark, what if Rob had found a mentor who helped him set big goals--it goes on and on.

At our July 25th book group, we discussed What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty.  The group really liked the book and felt it was a great summer read.  Our refreshments included Lemon Meringue Pie, zucchini breads, and fresh fruit.

At our book group on Monday, June 27th, we discussed Some Luck by Jane Smiley.  There's a lot of narrative in the book, and many of our members didn't care for it.  However, others liked the character and family details that spanned a generation.  We enjoyed One-Step Pound Cake and grapes during the discussion.

Every human being has a basic instinct to help each other out.  It might not seem that way sometimes, but it's true. If a hiker gets lost in the mountains, people will coordinate a search. If a train crashes, people will line up to give blood. If an earthquake levels a city, people all over the world will send emergency supplies. This is so fundamentally human that it's found in every culture without exception.