"No, I'm not a saint, Sophie. I'm just another stupid human." — Markus Zusak (I Am the Messenger) Meet Ed. My full name's Ed Kennedy. I'm nineteen. I'm an underage cab driver. I'm typical of many of the young men you see in this suburban outpost of the city -- not a whole lot of prospects or possibility. That aside, I read more books than I should, and I'm decidedly crappy at doing my taxes. Nice to meet you. " Meet Ed's seventeen year old friend and dog, Doorman. You can't have an I am the Messenger book club without the fabulous Doorman and his cup of coffee. The Doorman is loyal, easy going, and sleeps at the front door, which is how he got his name. He also has huge brown eyes black and gold fur and smells absolutely terrible Doesn't he look so real? (minus the stench, of course!) Because it was Christmas time, Robin had the brilliant idea of to make a tree with favorite quotes from all our books from 2013. Each Delicious Reads member was asked to send in their favorite quotes to be included on the tree ornaments but we weren't sure what for until we were surprised with this beauty when we walked in the door! You can download some of our favorite quotes from 2013 HERE. Robin kept the décor simple but had perfect touches of the book set out on the food table. Download these large playing card printables for yourself! Just spray paint some old 8x10" frames black and cut the oversized cards you printed down to size. Ace of Spade Ace of Heart Check out this DECADENT Hot Chocolate Bar! I made this slow cooker coconut hot chocolate that was positively sinful and boy did I sin lol! The recipe for this decadent coconut hot chocolate can be found HERE (NOTE: I added about 2 cups of milk to my hot coco to bring the sweetness down a notch before serving.) Karen brought the main dish which was an addictive and easy to make Ritz parmesan chicken. Download the Ritz Parmesan Chicken recipe HERE What's book club without some gourmet cheese! Lastly, we tantalized our senses with Kitches Pumpkin Gingerbread cake that made for the perfect holiday dessert! The recipe for these heavenly cakes can be found HERE You will do a little food dance when you try them...I can't be the only one who has a happy food dance! Robin moderated our book club at her house this month, babe in hands and ROCKED it! She was the perfect host and moderator and we toughly enjoyed being in her warm and inviting home. The girls enjoying some hot cocoa and conversation before the discussion begins. Brit, Angie, and Kelly looking ready to discuss and P A R T Y ! Before we started our discussion, Robin handed all of us a quiz and we had to put all the events from the book in order from Ed's first playing card to his last. Such a great idea and a HARD quiz lol! Get your own copy of this fun book quiz (with answers) for your bookclub HERE Kellie won the prize for our quiz which included: -A deck of cards so she can become her own messenger -And a copy of Wuthering Heights because that is the book mentioned in I am the Messenger-- Ed reads it to Milla, the old woman who thinks Ed is Jimmy, her husband that passed away. After we finished our enlightening discussion we got ready to play our favorite Christmas tradition!(We talked about the ending for a long time. Lets just say, I had an "Inception" moment!) We look forward to our Favorite Things Gift Exchange every year. Everyone had to come with one of their favorite things and anonymously write why it was their favorite. The game was guessing who the gift belonged to. And it wouldn't be fun without the option to "steal" a gift from someone. If you'd like a copy of this 4X6 card for your own favorite things gift exchange, you can get it HERE You can also print off two cards on a page HERE What's a gift exchange without a few GAG gifts? Kellie, we will forever remember the winking harlot ;) Some of our beautiful Delicious Read gals All the printables I shared in this post can be found HERE "I'm not the messenger at all. I'm the message. " And don't forget to read up on our book clubs star rating and review of this book HERE!
DON T MISS BRIDGE OF CLAY, MARKUS ZUSAK S FIRST NOVEL SINCE THE BOOK THIEF AND AN UNFORGETTABLE AND SWEEPING FAMILY SAGA. From the author of the extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller The Book Thief, I Am the Messenger is an acclaimed novel filled with laughter, fists, and love. A MICHAEL L. PRINTZ HONOR BOOK FIVE STARRED REVIEWS Ed Kennedy is an underage cabdriver without much of a future. He's pathetic at playing cards, hopelessly in love with his best friend, Audrey, and utterly devoted to his coffee-drinking dog, the Doorman. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery. That's when the first ace arrives in the mail. That's when Ed becomes the messenger. Chosen to care, he makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary) until only one question remains: Who's behind Ed's mission?
This lesser-known Markus Zusak book details the life of unambitious, underage cab driver Ed Kennedy and how his life changes after he stops a (pretty incompetent) bank robbery. Soon, he starts receiving cryptic messages on cards about people he can help. Exquisitely worded, beautifully written, and stirring up so many emotions all at once, I am the Messenger gives offers one simple message: You don’t have to be great to help others. This book might just manage to shift your own perspective in life.—Harshit Vatsyayan
I was inspired by the main character Ed’s very normal life. Maybe normal is too nice a word. His life is more mediocre. He doesn’t have any ambitions or achievements or direction really. The story is about him receiving anonymous cards in the mail that challenge him to help people. He changes their lives in small […]
DON'T MISS BRIDGE OF CLAY, MARKUS ZUSAK'S FIRST NOVEL SINCE THE BOOK THIEF AND AN UNFORGETTABLE AND SWEEPING FAMILY SAGA. From the author of the extraordinary #1 New York Times bestseller The Book Thief, I Am the Messenger is an acclaimed novel filled with laughter, fists, and love. A MICHAEL L. PRINTZ HONOR BOOK FIVE STARRED REVIEWS Ed Kennedy is an underage cabdriver without much of a future. He's pathetic at playing cards, hopelessly in love with his best friend, Audrey, and utterly devoted to his coffee-drinking dog, the Doorman. His life is one of peaceful routine and incompetence until he inadvertently stops a bank robbery. That's when the first ace arrives in the mail. That's when Ed becomes the messenger. Chosen to care, he makes his way through town helping and hurting (when necessary) until only one question remains: Who's behind Ed's mission?