Still Life with Breadcrumbs by Anna Quindlen

Judy chose the book and hosted the meeting. Two of the things she served were related to the book: lasagna and scones.

Before starting our discussion on the book, Judy asked that we all recap our summer activities with the use of a minute timer in order to keep it brief. That was fun and interesting. Also, as this book centered on the art of photography, she asked that we bring a photo of personal importance, and we enjoyed passing those around and hearing the stories related to the pictures.

The book was about an unusual character named Rebecca Winter, a divorced photographer whose career was backsliding and whose financial situation was worsening. To cut expenses, she sublet her NYC apartment and rented a somewhat dilapidated cottage in the country. While there she met the locals who had problems and back-stories of their own. Of course she found a romantic interest in the form of a roofer, Jim, whose side job was to sit in trees and record the movements of local bird life. Of interest was the mystery of a number of white-cross shrines that Rebecca discovered in the woods.

We thought that Rebecca had a lack of self-confidence due to her upbringing and her husband's behavior. Her priorities transformed, though, as she worked through life-changing decisions and gained control of her life. A few items of discussion: houses and inhabitants who look alike; women are either predictable or exotic, not both; though 60 years old, it's never too late to reinvent oneself; whether the suicide was intentional or unintentional; and exceedingly poor communication between the characters.

Most of us liked the book, though some said that there was not enough action and there was insufficient information given about Jim's sister, Polly. Some thought the sentences were too long and struggled with getting through the book. Others loved the characterization and the way all loose ends were tied up with a happily-ever-after ending.

The author of the book is Anna Quindlen, a 63-year-old Pulitzer Prize winner who started her career as a copy girl and now writes for "Newsweek". This is her first "happy-ending" book.

We recommended some good books to read in-between meetings:
Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Patillo Beals
The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Gaining Ground by Forrest Pritchard
True Story by Michael Finkel
The Martian by Andy Weir

Author's website: http://annaquindlen.net/