Booklist reading group january- june 2008

For the ladies who are curious about what we read and discuss

January: Brick lane by Monica Ali
February: The house by the Dvina by Eugene Fraser
March: In Lucia's Eyes by Arthur Japin
Aptil: Natasha's dance by Orlando Figes
May: North South by Elisabeth Gaskell
June: Secrets of a fire king by Kim Edwards

Anne-Marie

reading group read.......

The reading group has read the first books. From now on you can read monthly our opinions here.
"The madonna's of "Leningrad by Debra Dean was the first book to be discussed. We all liked the book and it had enough to talk about. In short the story tells about an old russian woman, living in the USA, suffering from Alzheimer. With her fading memory she goes back in time to the beginning of the Siege of Leningrad where she -at that time a young girl- was working in the Hermitage. What we liked about the book where the parts about the city and about the Hermitage. When you have been into the museum, while reading you can wander around with the girl through the museum. Also fascinating was the description of the fading memory. Unclear in the book where the periods of time in the book. Especially when the author describes the periods about the Hermitage and the Siege of Leningrad, she doesn't give any clues about time. We all thought the period in the book about the siege was all long period, but it turned out to be only the first winter. In the book the author also gives a lot of hints about the relation between husband and wife, between mother and daughter, but nothing is decribed into more depth and details. We thought it would have made the book more interesting.
For me, I think that in the end the best of this book was that it made me more aware of the Siege and the fact that I still know so little about that period. And of course I wanted to visit the Hermitage again.

A complete different book was "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. Allthough a bestseller, for many of us this was the first time we read the book. A fable about a boy who wanted to see the pyramids of Egypt and decided to follow the path of hispersonal legend. It was an interesting book which gave us a lot to think about. Do we have our own personal legends, do we follow them? And if not, do we need them? Sometimes our legends changed as you grew older and lead us to another paths in life. The book has a very nice and optimistic atmosphere. Having lost everything he possessed, the boy goes on and on again, believing in himself. If you are looking for a nice book in these grey days before christmas, then "The alchemist" is a good choise.

Anne-Marie

Top Tips

Lucky Days! Yesterday I had a visit from Laura Kennedy (IWC member) with a good filled envelope! She collected during a home visit (in Guernsey) U$ 500 from the Zion Christian Fellowship. All for our Charity Committee. Thanks, Laura, great job and we will use it with care...

Friday I was looking for a print shop (for an invitation with photo) and -although I already live here 3 years - had NO clue where to go. The very useful TIPSBOOK guided me the way to the XEROX center and a very helpful Anton designed my invitation with care. How happy I was!!!!

Odilia (ex-Charity Chair and present IWC Honorary President)

First General Meeting of the year

Well done all you ladies who attended the first meeting of the IWC year at the Ambassador hotel. It was very lively and good to see old and new faces. We have the largest membership yet with 23 new memberships, so that must be about 178 members altogether! There looks like there will be a lot happening over the coming year so make sure you join in all the activities and help to run things also. The lunch was pretty filling too and the chocolate mousse - mmmmmm.

vodka drinking

The soup course


I'll have this spare mousse!

Just Browsing

Hello Ladies,

Have just been checking who of you has signed up to write on the blog as as I am a nosy person I see what other blogs are out there so have read them.

More of you need to sign up and write on this thing. It's very useful for newbies too and those who don't see lots of us IWC chicks all the time. Of course, you have to have internet connection and time.......

Well enjoy the beginning of autumn. We think summer is officially over now.

Nicky

you've been googled

Hi Nicky and Anna,

I just tried to Google IWC St Petersburg and what do you know: the website is on there!!! Well done!! Looks great. Hopefully it will have the top spot soon.
Trying this blog for the first time, so if it works, more might follow.

Keep up the good work!!

Isa.

Peters Tea and Picnic Tours

See, it's all about moderation - and we have been drinking shampanskoe in moderation the last couple of days.




Peters Tea is a time once a week to chat, drink tea, eat cake and catch up with IWC ladies. Despite it being summer there are still quite a few of us around, and yesterday's Peters Tea was livened up with caviar and champagne. Thanks Anna!


Today, Steffi, Elisabeth, Lisa, Julia, Sylvia, Helen and I went to The Cottage for a stroll in the fresh air and a champagne picnic. The weather was kind to us and we had a lovely time in the fresh air. We had a lot of picnic food and enjoyed the champagne although Elisabeth doesn't want her photo taken with a bottle of champagne - why not?!

Malatsova Orphanage

Today Zuzana and I went to Malatsova Orphanage to deliver some goodies that Susanne Nørregaard had brought from Denmark. Most of the kids were at camp but there were eleven of the under 5's. They look like they all need some fresh air which is quite possible as the orphanage is in the middle of nowhere. They were pleased to see us and took lots of pictures of themselves with my camera.

Scarlet Sails

Did you brave the chaos and crowds on Saturday night? Did anyone get their phone nicked? We had a few people in our apartment for ringside viewing of the amazing performance on the Neva. Best ever combination of fireworks, boats and music. Still in awe of it.

I also love the way the Russians get their German heads on when it is time to clear up after the revellers. No trace at all by 8am next day - and that includes most of the loud speakers, pontoons and light system.

Picnic Tours

Hello ladies,

Yesterday Steffi, Eli, Elisabeth, Lisa and I went on a picnic tour to a bit of woodland near Peterhof. Although we set off in the rain, as soon as it arrived it stopped. We had a nice stroll and then a champagne picnic before returning to the city. Thanks Steffi.

Nicky

Welcome!

Welcome to the new blog.
As communications secretary I have just set up the new website to incule this blog. Use this to share!