Saturday, April 23, 2011

"The Forgotten Garden" {by Kate Morton} Book Club Ideas


Our April Book Club book was "The Forgotten Garden" By Kate Morton.
I was the moderator for this book so I'm warning you now that there are a lot of photos for this recap!





The DELICIOUS food!
Thank You Bethany for thinking of bringing a drink to represent Australia from the book!
Thank You EVERYONE who played along with my picky menu and helped bring the book to life through our tummies!
Some of my garden decor:
Thank you Rachelle for letting me borrow your awesome suitcases (and you too Jillian)
and Thank You Brooke for letting me share your beautiful painting that makes me want to see what's behind the garden door.
We also voted on our new Book Club name which is now DELICIOUS READS!
(Mandi was the big winner!)
This was the start of my moderation, a game.
I asked everyone to write down as many items as they could remember that were in Nell's little white suite case.
Lisa was the winner of the luxury gardening prize!
(Which she told me she used that weekend.)
{Several of these book images are by Bethany}

I surprised everyone on the first game while naming off all the items in Nell's suitcase when I pulled the last item which was the "Magical Tales for Girls and Boys" fairy tales book which was ACTUALLY Eliza Makepeaces book.
Well, it was my version of what I wished it were at least!
I enlisted Bethany's help to direct me the binding of these beautiful books and I cannot thank her enough for all her help.
I loved learning how the process worked and I think the final product came out better than I could have imagined! We made only three books:
1. for me, 1. for Bethany and 1. I gifted to Kellie Hall as a Thank You for being the best Book Club V.P. there ever was!

{NOTE: These books were made for private use ONLY and will not be reproduced or used in any way other than to keep as a cherished book club memory. All credits go to the genius Kate Morton.}
A couple of examples of the pages inside.
Thanks again Bethany!
I hope you enjoy your book of Hans Christensen Anderson fairy tales.

NOW...lets get into the discussion of the book shall we?

I started off my presentation showing a few photos the Lost gardens of Heligan in Cornwall England which spurred Kate's inspiration for Eliza's cottage garden in the book.

A couple pictures of Cornwall

Next in my presentation I brought up all the little details from the book that most didn't realize were actual facts from history. It was fun to research them and bring them to every one's attention; little facts like:

-The Lusitania ship that Rose sailed on and how it sank
-The train accident that occurred that was coined in history as the "Ais gill Railway tragedy of 1913"
-The famous artist, John Singer Sargent who was mentioned doing portraits several times throughout the book
-Morning Broaches
-The early years of the X-ray
-and Kodak's first "Brownie Camera"

More fun details I pointed out from the literature mentioned were:

-Rose discusses her thoughts on reading "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" (Interesting foreshadowing!)
-The children's book "Meggendorfer's International Circus" where rose got the idea to balance the thimble she accidentally swallowed, before getting her x-ray.
-Rose recites a bit of Lord Tennyson's poem, "The Lady of Shalott," which expresses how Rose felt trapped.
-and lastly, the large reference to "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett (who actually makes an appearance at their garden party where she gets the inspiration to write her book!)

More garden decor


Thanks again for a delightful and memorable book club ladies!

{Small favor...would you please leave me a little comment, I need a little "comment motivation!"}

11 comments :

Shalease said...

Awesome Post! Thanks Kelly!!:)

Kellie H said...

Wow!!! What a post. That book club was so so good. I loved it so much. And I love my fairytale book. Kelly you are the best. Love you tons.
Kellie

Danielle said...

Greetings! I am almost finished reading The Forgotten Garden and came across your blog as I was researching Kate Morton and her novels. I love her novels and always dread the end of the tale she weaves. I just had to tell you how incredibly warm, inviting and beautiful your book club gatherings are! The attention to detail with the suitcase, book of fairy tales and the whole ambience was just lovely! And from perusing you other reading picks I can tell you I have been hoping and dreaming of a book club like yours but didn't think it existed: ) I don't where in the world you ladies meet up but I certainly wish it was near to where I live! Congratulations on a truly fantastic book club.

Jana said...

This post is absolutely phenomenal! I love all your ideas with the artifacts. It's such a beautiful book and your book club party captured the details of every page!

Anonymous said...

My friend Jana above sent me your blog link and I'm so enjoying it! It is so inspirational! :) Keep posting!
-Makayla

*Kelly* said...

Thank you for your comments Jana and Makayla, words like yours keep me blogging when I'm having a rough week! Follow us on Facebook if you want to stay updated on all the books we read and our book club ideas!

Anonymous said...

Oh, my goodness..I just finished reading this book last night and I am so in love. I never wanted it to end. I came back to read this blog post again and I wish I was at that party! :) Wonderful post and keep blogging!
Makayla

Anonymous said...

I found your blog when I was trying to look up historic images of Cornwall in order to apease my sadness that I had finished this terrific book. I love what you've done and you've helped to solidify the images as I'd imagined them. Great work!

Homeschool Mom said...

I came across your blog looking for ideas for hosting a book club featuring the Forgotten Garden. We think very much alike and you have set the bar very high!! I love how you made Eliza's fairy tale books. (I appreciate your disclaimer that you will not reproduce them but man, I wish I could get one!)

Unknown said...

Thanks Homeschool Mom, it was quite the project of love and it took me several days to make but the end result was worth it!

Jenny said...

I want that fairy tale book! It's beatiful. I'm reading the novel right now and it's really breathtaking. Such a great story.