The Orchardist

Our May book was a lovely novel set in early Pacific Northwest history.  Taking place in Eastern Washington, (think Wenatchee and Chelan)  The Orchardist is about a solitary figure and a couple of girls that happen upon his property.  The author, Amanda Coplin, has a calm and easy way about her writing that is reminiscent of Steinbeck.  Simple, yet complex characters that allow you to be the fly on the cabin walls.  It was easy to get drawn into to the story the author created but still let her reader  create their own pictures and outcomes in their head.  It was also a lovely read for those in the PNW familiar with the names and places and imagining a time just as the railroad hit the area.   I think all the ladies of the club would recommend this.  oh and I can't forget the food!  We met at a japanese restaurant in kirkland called Izumi.  The fish was extremely fresh and the restaurant very traditional.  I recommend the sushi sampler.  They close early on Wednesdays so, of course, we closed the place down.

Six Months and Beyond: The E.L.L.S 2013 Book List

For those of you wanting to check out our archived collection and what the Eastside Ladies will be reading next, here is our 2013 list.  Please feel free to ask questions about previous posts or leave comments if you've read any of our books.  We'd love to know what you think!


Dec:  Unbroken: A WWII Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption
by Laura Hillenbrand

Jan:  The Secrets of Mary Bowser
by Lois Leveen

Feb:   Former People: The Final Days of the Russian Aristocracy
by Douglas Smith

Mar:  The Light Between Oceans
by M.L. Stedman

April:  The Elegance of The Hedgehog
by Muriel Barbery

May:  The Orchardist
by Amanda Coplin

June:  Odd Mom Out
by Jane Porter

July/Aug:  Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power
by Jon Meacham

Sept:   Hotel on The Corner of Bitter and Sweet
by Jamie Ford

Oct:   The Aviator's Wife
by Melanie Benjamin

Nov/Dec:   Roots
by Alex Haley   (yep we are going old school. A book many of us have had on our list for years!)

The Elegance of The Hedgehog

The next book for the month of April was The Elegance of The Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery.  This book does not fall into the historical category but we thought we would mix things up a bit.  Mix is certainly the right word not only for this novel but the reviews and conversation of the book club as well.  Half of the gals in our group loved it and gave it a 4 or 5 star GroupReads rating.  Others, like me, either did not finish or got through it.  The club met at and Indian restaurant in Bellevue called Chutneys.  I could not make it but I hear the food is amazing and the book club girls closed the place down.  (Which we tend to do anyway!)  For me the first half of the book was confusing and annoying and I really didn't care or attach myself to any of the characters.  The Concierge was intriguing enough so I kept reading.  The second half is certainly much improved and I am still slowly getting through it.  The book is set up to give you different perspectives of 2 main females characters.   Normally I enjoy this type of bird's eye view but in this case I just couldn't get interested in character's interests.  Set in a Paris apartment complex, it gives a dynamic view of dweller relationships from the older, single female concierge, to the young, highly gifted girl in angst to the new dweller from the outside.  If you want complex and sometimes philosophic, this might be the book for you!