Who am I?
What is my purpose?
Am I good enough?
Where is my place in the world?

These are thoughts every young person has at some point. These are the pivotal questions asked in this month’s Goon Squad Book Club book.

{If you wonder how we got our name–the very first book we read in July of 2011 was A Visit From The Goon Squad. None of us particularly liked the book–but the name just kinda stuck!  Now we meet once a month to enjoy book discussions, food drink, and companionship.}

We read, I Am the Messenger.  It is a young adult book where Ed Kennedy becomes the accidental hero after a foiled bank robbery. He has a choice, live up to the hype or fade away into non-existence. When some mysterious playing cards are delivered, that choice is taken out of his hands.  I had so many thoughts about who was behind the mysterious cards that made Ed dig deep within himself to discover his own self-worth. God?  Satan?  Ed’s father?  His friends?  Someone else entirely unexpected? I’ll let you read and find out yourself…

Each character was so perfectly flawed that you couldn’t help but falling in love.  Ed Kennedy reminded me of 21st century Lloyd Dobler, every woman who is 35+ had a major movie crush on that guy circa 1989 (yes, I looked it up)!  He was tragic and full hearted.  All he wanted was THE GIRL.  He did right by everyone else but was never able to believe he was good enough.  I fell in love with Ed just like I was 13 again.  He had his faithful companions with secrets of their own including the love able Doorman…his terribly smelly, old dog.  Ever the underdog, Ed was worth cheering for.  I loved that he rolled with the punches, figuratively and literally.

We had a small book club meeting this month–only 6 members were able to make it. However, each of us enjoyed the book very much. We would all recommend it to a friend, young adult boys especially. It is the kind of book to hook young men, especially if assigned as a school read…as one of our Goonies does. It’s a bit edgy for the classroom which is part of its teen appeal. Most agreed that this was a book you could read just for the story or you could delve deeper looking for literary symbolism. Our next adventure takes us to the 1920’s in Suzanne Ridell’s The Other Typist.

In honor of the Doorman, I found this  while looking at some recipes online.  The lovable dog in our book was loyal to the core even though he stunk to high heaven!  These Blue Cheese Poppers might have a smell that rivals the Stinky Cheese Man, but their flavor cannot be beat!  I lightened up the original recipe as a mere 3 poppers didn’t seem nearly enough bang for my WW buck, er…point plus.  At under 1 point plus per popper, I felt like I could indulge on this rich treat without all the guilt.

STINKY BLUE CHEESE POPPERS–FULL FAT VERSION