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1_09_01 Geospeakers Meeting Summary - USGS WR CMG


1/09/01
Geospeakers first meeting of the Millennium: 3rd annual book club a huge success!!

But first, club business: This quarter's schedule is due to Jane now. If you haven't signed up for giving a talk, or volunteering for a major duty, do so now before she assigns them. Let her know when you're unavailable also. Toastmaster of the year?.if you have a nomination, please pass them to Gretchen, our Pres. Next Toastmasters contest will probably be in March. If you've given a speech at Geospeakers and would like to enter a contest, now's the time to start planning.

Now on with the book reviews. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed talking and hearing about great books to read. For once we were given 3 + minutes to talk, and everyone had to squeeze to get their reviews into 5 minutes.

Here are the lists and authors of those who were present today: Jane Reid - Bone Hunter (and 4 others?) by Sarah Andrews. These are 'geologic mysteries', starting with Tensleep, Only Flesh and Bones, Mother Nature, and A Fall in D?uver (can't read my scribbles, sorry). Also, Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo, a great amusing story (one in a series of 4). Quote 'a major stupid streak' is coming?

Carol Reiss - Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom. This is a book about a very erudite (WOD) professor, diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. At first, he is stunned that the world around him continues, business as usual. He comes to realize how precious living is, and sets out to 'teach' one of his former students the poignant truths about his life. "Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live." "As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away." And finally "Death ends a life, not a relationship."

Chris Gutmacher - One Year off: leaving it all behind for a round the world journey with our children, by David Elliot Cohen. Can you imagine traveling around the world with the youngest child a 2 year old? Well, read on. They all survived, however we heard of the 8 year old's harrowing brush with death, and all because of a flip of the coin. Read about places you might have been, where you might want to go, and where you might want to avoid (your choice whether to add kids).

Cynthia Ramseyer - Two for the Lion (and 12 others in the series) by Lindsey Davis. Set during the Roman Empire, 'it's like an opera', with everything from murder, death, betrayal, love (Marcus Didicus sp?) , even a website to entertain you. http://www.lindseydavis.co.uk Who knows,

Fran Hostettler - Guns, Germs and Steel, by Jared Diamond. He's a botanist in Fiji, trying to evaluate civilizations, and determine why some countries try to conquer the world, while others are content to sit on their island and do nothing. This book comes highly recommended, and has been on the best seller list for awhile now. Fran's husband couldn't wait to go to bed so he could read!!

Gretchen Luepke Bynum - Winter Solstice, by Rosamund Pilcher. (her newest novel). This came to Gretchen as a Christmas present form her 100 year old aunt and former schoolteacher. True to Pilcher's form, the descriptions of the Scotland are so vivid, Gretchen wants to go traveling to these places. Even marvelous passages of beachcombing are painted in great detail. Sounds like a must read for Pilcher fans and newcomers alike. Shellseekers is how I came to know Pilcher, probably 10 years ago now (I was expecting Samantha, stuck on the couch, when my mother-in-law introduced me to her).

Kaye Savage - Gifts of the Wild, essays edited by Clare Conrad. Great snapshots of women's experiences of true and urban wilderness'. Definitely a different perspective on adventure ? ranging from interesting to downright frightening!!!! But alas, everyone does emerge alive, amazing considering one tale we heard about was a woman ROLLERBLADING down the hills of San Francisco, at night, on a street that she chose specifically because the streetlights were synchronized for speed. How's that for courage?

Neil Shapiro - The Lost King, by Margaret Weis. First in a series of 4, found in the sci-fi section, but definitely a galactic fantasy rather than merely sci-fi. Follow the 17 year old boy Dion, through discovery of his history and destiny. A truly engrossing account to read and reread. Remember, it's not how we get to the stars, its what and whom we are when we get there.

Stephanie Ross - Decalog, Science of Star Wars, Science of the X files, Babalon 5 (#7 and #? the passing of the techno-images trilogy) by her friend and excellent, creative author Jeanne Cavelos. The book she really wanted to tell us about is still in review, and therefore could not be discussed today, but there are many others of equal caliber. They all have strong plots, and great character development. But be careful, one of those beloved characters might be history?even the author admits that she sometimes writes in tears, as the characters fall to their deaths about her feet.

Great meeting all, and thanks for the booklist! Please, by all means contact one of these reviewers if you're interested in a book. They were so eloquent in their descriptions, but I only skimmed the top. I don't guarantee correct spelling of names and titles, or even series info, but that's what I could discern from my chicken scratching.

See you on the 23rd, Kaye will be giving us a power point presentation if all goes well equipment-wise. (same time, same place).
CR
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