Library Club

I've joined the local Library Club at the Zurich Public Library. The book to read and discuss was "Stanley Park" by Timothy Taylor.
From the Jacket
A young chef who revels in local bounty, a long-ago murder that remains unsolved, the homeless of Stanley Park, a smooth-talking businessman named Dante - these are the ingredients of Timothy Taylor's stunning debut novel - Kitchen Confidential meets The Edible Woman.

Trained in France, Jeremy Papier, the young Vancouver chef, is becoming known for his unpretentious dishes that highlight fresh, local ingredients. His restaurant, The Monkey's Paw Bistro, while struggling financially, is attracting the attention of local foodies, and is not going unnoticed by Dante Beale, owner of a successful coffeehouse chain, Dante's Inferno. Meanwhile, Jeremy's father, an eccentric anthropologist, has moved into Stanley Park to better acquaint himself with the homeless and their daily struggles for food, shelter and company. Jeremy's father also has a strange fascination for a years-old unsolved murder case, known as "The Babes in the Wood" and asks Jeremy to help him research it.

Dante is dying to get his hands on The Monkey's Paw. When Jeremy's elaborate financial kite begins to fall, he is forced to sell to Dante and become his employee. The restaurant is closed for renovations, Inferno style. Jeremy plans a menu for opening night that he intends to be the greatest culinary statement he's ever made, one that unites the homeless with high foody society in a paparazzi-covered celebration of "local splendour."

Sounds like an interesting book - wouldn't you agree? Going to my first meeting of the Library club, I was quite nervous. For one; I didn't know anyone, two; I didn't like the book and three; I struggle with saying anything negative, in case no one would like me. Thankfully as group discussion started the lady to my left began and it went clock-wise, leaving me till last. whew! Each person shared their perspective on the book which ironically was the same as mine and out of the ten of us, only two (I was not one of them) actually read the whole book. My fears were totally alleviated as I realized everyone felt the same way.

These are an interesting group of women, various ages, stages of life but we share at least one common passion, our love to read. So I am looking forward to next month's meeting; when we gather to discuss "Children of my Heart" by Gabrielle Roy. I'm looking forward to not only getting to know those in the group better, but also to discuss the book, whether it's liked it or not. ^.^

Blessings