Happy Holidays to all, what a fun book swap we had!

As usual, our get-together was filled with fun and laughs, with a great group of well-read people who brought a favorite to put under the tree. Unlike last year when books were swapping all over the place, this year everyone seemed to love the one they got first, with a couple exceptions that moved around.

Here are a few of the books that were brought and swapped:

- Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson. Val brought this because she said she laughed so hard reading it that someone rows down on her plane walked up to ask what she was reading!
- Master and Margarita - Mikail Bulgakov. I brought this one, it is the one book every Russian has read and it is amazing.
- Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. Lynn brought this, she loved the way the writer connected with nature among other things.
- A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. Julie brought this one, not realizing that last year we were all fighting over a copy that Carole had brought. Luckily, there was a second chance this year.
- Getting in Touch With Your Inner Bitch by Elizabeth Hilts - Mary brought this one, and Fiona says she is having a great time practicing saying "I don't think so…" for all occasions.
- House of Mirth by Edith Wharton. Carole brought this one, ask her for the back story on why.
- The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion by Fannie Flagg. This one is the winner for most swapped, so it is our January book. Kathy brought the book and also wrote a review of it for Real Simple magazine!
- The World Is Round by Gertrude Stein. Maggie said this book, written for children, is a great way to get an introduction to Gertrude Stein, so much easier than her books for grownups.
- Questions About Angels poetry by Billy Collins. Fiona said she loves his work (so do I), this changed hands at least once.
- Things Fall Apart by Chiana Achebe. Catherine brought this one, a story about a clash of cultures and a clash of the individual and a society. Sounds great!
- Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Jean brought this book and it had a ton of positive response from everyone who had already read it, which was just about everyone but me.  I ended up with it, yeah!
- Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons. Ashley brought this one, a story of British rural life in the 30's.
- Bluebeard by Kurt Vonnegut. Sally recovered the boards with a beautiful dark rose silk moire, it was really a lovely edition!

Next meeting is Jan. 13 at 6:30 at Fiona's. Our book is the Fannie Flagg book, The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion. And that is it! Here are some pictures, courtesy of Fiona.