Hello, book buddies!

Welcome to the party!  You'll have to sort out who's here by mingling among the characters who are (I'm sure) still floating around in your mind.  I'm pretty sure most of them are here.  We'll keep the party going by posting words (and images, if you know how) to respond to what others are saying.  Use your imagination to think of what the various characters might be saying, since we are "making them appear here" as though we are all in one place together.  That's what Essencia Island is, an imaginary place where Nerys, the grandmother, can appear with Mair, the granddaughter who was born after she died.  We book buddies have to be quite imaginative.

Oh, by the way, we each bring food and drink to this party.  Since it's a virtual party, there are no calories to worry about and no one has to drive home from the island after the party.  I've brought fruit and cookies, so help yourself.  And there's mango tea on the sidebar of the blog.

Oh, there's Mair, sitting alone over in the corner.  I think I'll go talk to her.

Invitation

March 3,2013
Hello Book Buddies,
Viewed the video about the book by Michael Sandel very interesting. When the book discussion is over I would like to invite everyone to a party on Essencia Island. We had so much fun in are playful time on the island with food, moments of laughter and travel. My Air balloon needs to be cleaned charged ready for flight.
Caboose

It's a happening place

Let's see, party drinks, party food.  Where'd I put those plates?  Oh, hi, help yourself to a bite of something.  I'll be right back.

Party time?

No, Donna (AuntyDon), we don't have to wait.  Suggest something to bring, if you are ready to party.  The only problem is that I don't have time to plan — and push — a party, since I'm still trying to type up questions for the last chapters of the book and haven't finished reading the book myself.  If you are ready to party, make it happen.  Since it's gotten cold — near freezing — last night where I live, I have some hot chocolate for everybuddy, if you want some while you wait for the party to begin.

Do we have to wait?

Do we have to wait to finish reading to party? I am ready for a party now! What shall I bring?

Sorry, Carole

Sorry, Carole / Caboose.  I didn't notice you had posted this.  We are all still busy talking about the book on Book Buddies, but I hope everybuddy will be here to party when we finish discussing Christianity for the Rest of Us by Diana Butler Bass (click here to join the discussion).  I'll answer your question:

"Now you need to decide if you truly want me to participate in the reading."

Yes, of course I want you to participate!  You don't have to stand in a church or be a Christian in order to take part in a Book Buddies discussion, whether we are discussing religion or not.

Caboose

WOW! Did I land at the correct place? OK ladies here is my thinking this morning. Now you need to decide if you truly want me to participate in the reading . Going to church and saying you're a christian is like standing in a library and saying you're a book. I know this sounds harsh but these are my thought and feeling today.

Let's do it again, everybuddy!

For you newbies, Essencia Island is our fantasy island where Book Buddies come to chat and/or party.  Bring food and drink, especially if you know how to add photos here, but words if you don't.

This is also a place to talk to characters from the novels we are reading or the authors of our books.  I remember at least one author who visited our imaginary island, maybe more.

If I can figure out how to contact the author, I'll invite him or her to meet us here — and also join our discussion on Book Buddies.  It's always fun to be able to ask questions of the author, whether the book is fiction or nonfiction.

Since we haven't been here in awhile, I need help sweeping out cobwebs and such.  Grab a broom or a mop and let's get ready to party!

A Quick Drop By

It's late at night and I'm late to the party. I'm just stopping in for hugs with everybuddy and a handshake for Jacob. I had meant to get here earlier but it was a busy weekend and I kept missing the boat. Now I'm taking a mug of mango herbal tea and a magazine to bed.

Yeah, Oliver!

Oliver certainly wins even more points in my book for his thoughtfulness in arranging for Jake to meet Henri Lee. That is such a wonderful surprise for Jake!

Not too late, at all

Good to see you, Allison.  Lynne and Shirley have also arrived.  Maybe this party ought to continue for an extra day or so, just so everybuddy can say hello and meet the book's characters.

Okay, start reading Shanghai Girls, but also drop by the island any day this week and help yourselves to the finger foods.  More tea, anybuddy? Theo makes a great cuppa hot tea, or we also have iced tea.

Late Arrival

I've been really busy this weekend, but I wanted to stop by to say 'hi' to anyone who is still partying at this late hour! I hope everyone has a great week!

P.S. My 14yo daughter is now reading House Rules and enjoying getting to know Jacob too.

Lynne's here!

Hello Bonnie and Shirley. This mango tea is delicious.

I just saw Oliver and he had his arms full of all kinds of things to entertain the boys. He has brought a couple of his landladies cousins that are around Theo and Jacobs ages so Theo will have some new friends to pal around with for the day.

Oh yeah and get this. He has a big surprise for Jake (as he always calls him now). Remember when Henri Lee, the forensic guy, was giving a lecture and Jacob didn't get to go? Well, it appears that Lee is staying with friends that live only a couple miles from Essencia Island and said he'd drop by later this afternoon to say hello to Jacob and bring him a copy of his new book.

Won't Jacob be surprised?

Gonna go mingle a bit as I can't stay long.

The party's happening after all

Hi, Shirley!  Have you tried one of these?

I saw Emma a few minutes ago -- Theo was with her, though he didn't act like he wanted to be here, until he saw the food.  Someone said Oliver is running late, but was on the way.  I kind of think Henry isn't big on crowds -- little did he know we wouldn't have a "crowd," exactly!  Ha!

Shirley's here!

That is sad indeed to have a party and no one shows. I was a little concerned about how to post, but then realized one just posted from the initial sign on page.

I'd thought Emma and Oliver would make an appearance and perhaps even Henry and Theo.

The candles chosen especially for Jacob are delightful. Maybe they'll show up later.

Food and fun ~ with Jacob Hunt

There will be no flashing lights at this party -- for Jacob's sake.  Yes, he's here.  See him sitting over there?

But we do have food and cold drinks, so help yourself.

Then I'll do it myself ...

... said the Little Red Hen.  And she did.  I've been shopping (googling) for flowers and candles.  First I ran across a lotus-shaped candle arrangement (on the left), and then I found something interesting ~ an arrangement of blooms in all colors of the rainbow (ROYGBIV), the way Jacob wanted his clothes hung in the closet.  He wasn't happy when his mother forgot the Indigo, so -- I was just thinking -- does that mean he wore some shade of orange?  That doesn't sound right.

I'm sweeping out the cobwebs

Do you know how long it's been since we had a party?  Not since 2008.  Achoooo!  This dusty place is making me sneeze.  So I'm over here on the island sweeping cobwebs out of the corners and dusting the tables where we'll put our cyber-food tomorrow and Monday (that's May 30-31), when we'll party for two full days.  When you aren't too busy with family this weekend or Monday (Memorial Day holiday for folks in the United States), come by and leave a vase of flowers or set out some chairs or put candles here and there so we can talk through the night.  What food will you bring to the party?

~~~ Bonnie

Hello out there

I was just stopping by the Island to take a break from work and study and was missing my Book Buddies. I hope everyone is well and making time for a good book.

Marylyn

Happy Birthday America

Hello everyone,

Watched the Boston Pops on television last night and thought about what I was doing 43years ago, giving birth to my middle child, and what a firecracker he was then and now. To celebrate the holiday we enjoyed a watermelon sweet and juicy, what a treat with prices escalating each day. Wondering if we will have watermelon next year for the holiday. Caboose