ANA Book Club?

[MaryBKAriz]

I will start discussion with a couple of questions. Do you feel Rick and Livvy stay (long term) together in Italy with Rick Playing football? If so, why or why not?

Mary

[yardtick]

Tish,

I've read the ENTIRE series.  Diana Gabaldon is an amazing writer.  I would love to reread the Outlander.

[Tisha]

Yardtick!

Hey, did you know her next novel is out in the fall 2009 "Echo in the Bones".  Plus, she has a graphic novel out at the end of the summer, I think.   It cuts thru the first 1/3 of Outlander and is from Murtagh's POV.  I can't wait!  Plus, there's a movie that is being discussed, too, of OUtlander.

Tisha

[cindyj]

Hey All,

Just popped in here for the frst time in awhile and just have to comment on the Outlander series and Diana Gabaldon!  Oh, my gosh, what a GREAT series!!!  I've read most of them twice (would read them again, though).  I am currently reading the 2nd in her Lord John series - it's very good as well - I think I'm reading it just for the rare times she mentions Jamie's name in the book!  So glad to hear she has a new book coming out - will be first in line here in Atlanta for it!

Well, just had to pop in for a minute - I do hope to rejoin you guys soon, but right now, my eye is still too dry to allow reading more than a few pages at the time.  But, I'll be back!  (Jan, before I left for surgery, I finally bought one of the Harlan Coben books - look forward to reading it.)

Happy reading to you all,

Cindy

[MaryBKAriz]

Hi,

Anyone want to discuss Playing for Pizza? Today is the day! I have the questions posted below.

Thanks,

Mary

[Debbi]

Do Rick and Livvy stay in Italy long term?

Well, I would like to think so.  It seems like Rick found a famiily with his fellow team-mates, and he and Livvy, for all their differences,  seem so well suited to each other.  Of course, I love happy endings, so maybe I'm just be eternally optimistic.  

Debbi

[MaryBKAriz]

Debbi,
  You and I are of the same thought! What do they have to return to anyway?

Mary

[yardtick]

Tisha,

I've heard about the movie and I hope they do her book justice.  Can't wait for the new book!


Anne Marie

[Tisha]

Cindy,

I've also read the series twice (I have NEVER done that), and have read Brotherhood of the Blade.  Really enjoyed it, I didn't like Private Matter and couldn't finish it.  I have a bit of a crush on Lord John anyway.  I'm going to start another reread in the spring, to start getting ready for the new book.  I allow myself about a month for each book...I want to immerse myself in the world of J&C before it comes out.

Whenever you are looking for another great read, try The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons.  Next to Outlander, it's my favorite series (it's a trilogy).  Hope your eye starts feeling better soon.

Tisha

[MaryBKAriz]

I am hungry for Pizza and a trip to Italy!

[Soundy]

I think they would have stayed on in Italy ... like Mary said , what was there fro them to return to...

Rick found a place he fit and did some growing up

[Soundy]

I picked up a copy of Dragonfly in Amber at Dollar Tree several years ago... read it and then had to go
track down and but the other parts of the Outlander series that were in print and had to wait for
Breath of Snow and Ashes to come out ...great books that I have re-read and will hold onto... I set a
goal to replace the paper back copies with hardback and have done so when budget allows and only
have two to go...

[MaryBKAriz]

For readers of Playing for Pizza - how did the book strike you? For me I had a vacation vicariously! It was a refreshing get-a-way from all the hub-bub of real life and what we all are dealing with. The book was fast reading and engaging. In one word I found it "delightful"! It is unusual to read an upbeat book that holds my interest too many turn sacrine.

Besides the comment on the book does anyone else have a question to ask us all about the book?

Take care.

Mary

[yardtick]

I was amazed at how "DUMB" Rick was in the beginning of the book.  He knew nothing about the world in general except football.  I loved the description of the food.  I laughed out loud several times.  Being married to a Southern Italian, where food is life, I could taste the written food.  I read some of the pages out loud to Louie and he just smiled from ear to ear. 

VIVA ITALIA!!!  One day I am going to get there!
Anne Marie

[Debbi]

Good comment, Anne Marie, about how "dumb" Rick was initially - and how much he grew up in Italy.  When you think about it that way, it is almost a "coming of age" book, isn't it?

On a deeper level, one of the messages I got from this book was that "success" isn't always defined in ssimple terms, nor in the ways we expect.  Rick turned out to be very successful on multiple levels, just not how he pictured it at the start.

Debbi