The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat

This month we had a lively discussion and "funeral dinner" for The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat by Edward Kelsey Moore. 

Our gold star club (for finishing the book before the meeting) included: Jennifer, Julie, and Katie.  Heather gets a silver star for bringing pork chops.  ;)

First impressions of the book?

• Confused! Had to make chart of characters. 
• This book is going to be a lot of fun to read :) 
• Pleased that we are reading a book with all-you-can-eat in the title in January when everyone is on diet. 
• Thought there would be more dinner food. :( 

What did you like about it?

• Liked how you got to know everyone well. 
• Loved ghost of the mom, and Eleanor Roosevelt. 
• Liked the one liners. 
• Odette and James. 
• Personalities of churches 
• Ending is fantastic. 
• When Odette frees Barbara Jean from "stepdad" - boxing in underwear 

Favorite line: She opened the wedding book and said, “I went to Madame Minnie and told her about the problems I was having over at First Baptist about the wedding. Can you believe that after all I’ve done for them they refused to let me release doves inside the chapel? I explained to them that the doves were from Boston and were sophisticated and all, and that these doves would just as soon die of embarrassment as make a mess. But they wouldn’t listen.

Was there anything you disliked?

• A little formulaic in parts. 
• Richmond suddenly changing his ways. Would have preferred for Richmond to leave the picture entirely. 
• Wish Barbara Jean's story hadn't been so extreme, and it was too tidy. 

Which part of the book made you drool?  Ham and pork chops!

Our feast was worthy of a funeral (although it was only a one ham affair):


Dawn – Deviled Eggs



Heather McN – roasted potatoes and pork chops, jello salad








Jennifer T. - roasted chicken




 Julie D. – roasted Brussels sprouts




Katie S. – Sicilian Collard Greens with Pine Nuts and Raisins


Madeline - Ham




Barbara W. – donuts!




For Wednesday February 12, 2014 we are reading The Cat's Table by Michael Ondaatje, which takes place on a ocean liner!  I'm really looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with for this.