Not like the movie… But entertaining.
Despite the risk of being over scheduled, I joined the book club at school right away. I figured that I would always have an excuse to wait until another month and it would be better just to begin. As I spend most of my time in athletic pursuits, this would be good for me.
Two months in we have read Born A Crime by Trevor Noah and A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Though this second book was slow to start it really was an outstanding book. How a gentleman at the fall of the Romanov empire who is placed under house arrest in a fantastic hotel survives and expands his life helping those around him and is better because of it. Though I desired for a better ending that answered my questions, I was amazed at what different people took away from the book depending not only about world view but I think also what decade of life you are in.
There were so many parallels to any time there is a change in government especially when they are diametrically opposed (cough cough, the US). Generally throwing the baby out with the bath water and then realising that things are not going well later and back peddling a bit.
To commemorate this book, we met at Katusha, a Russian restaurant. Tatz, who is one of the elementary admin, is Russian and shared some interview podcasts with the author she found. Here is a picture of the group.
I really need to get better at taking selfies.
We had an incredible discussion about the book. There were so many things that people pulled out that it was such a rich discussion.
We all ordered shared some common dishes and then ordered one individually. It was a great dinner, beautiful restaurant, and even had a lounge singer (background in this pic).
Borscht. Made with red beets.
Herring salad. This is a layered salad that was really well balanced. I really liked this dish.
Piroshki. Stuffed with potatoes.
Potatoes with onions.
Pancake stuffed with salmon.
Very yummy. They also had other European foods. It is a busy restaurant. Many Russians eat here so must be good too.
Next book for the book club is Educated. My goal for next month is to not be reading at the last minute!