We actually had a decent turn out for book club last night with five. One lady really wanted to come but she suffers from a variety of illnesses that make her planning ahead seemingly a day to day decision. Right from the beginning we didn't want this to be a stress club as I've heard book clubs can be. She ended up having a poor day and must have messaged during the meet-up. She apologized but of course I messaged back that she had no need to apologize, and we hope she feels well soon, and we'll see her next month. While it has waned, and I have been frustrated at responses of Maybe, and Yes-but then no show with no response and I've been left holding a table for seven people and two others came, we might be surging again. I did a lot of reminders and messages this past month.
So what have we been reading. This month was answer book, Drowning With Others by Linda Keir. It is a mystery that involves a family, and legacy, and multi generations, and what the world of wealth and influence can do to cover up. . Definitely worth a read.
Last month was Little Fires Every Where by Celeste Ngo. A book club favorite for a couple years now, there was much to talk about. How people get so caught up in what they envision for life, they can't see what is in front of them. People taking control over things they have no business doing, destroying lives, hiding things. Another worth a read.
Here's a few other titles and covers the last 12 months. We didn't meet each month and had a time out in the summer so just the eight books. If you've read any, please comment, but maybe without a spoiler. would skip One Day in December-not at all the story it proclaimed, but a stupid love story that just was a dumb premise form the beginning. Wonder was good, but more young adult than the suggestor thought.
Before We Were Yours
One Day in December
Wonder
Ordinary Grace
A Man Called Over
The Girl on a Train
Gap Creek
I didn't look up the authors, but if you are interested and can't find. let me know. We picked The Girl From the Train for March-not at all the same as the other train book. If you are a club reader or just read on your won. what would you recommend? What book surprised you?
Wednesday, February 12, 2020
22 comments:
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My daughter read "Wonder" when she was in Middle School. I haven't read, nor had any interest in any of the books on your list. I enjoy reading older, little known books. If I were in a book club, I would strongly suggest "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir," or "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn." For a more recent selection, I'd pick something by Joanna Trollope. (I love a good Aga Saga!) I've been in a dry spell for reading lately--still feel like I'm working on the house.
ReplyDeleteWell, not every book will meet everyone's taste I guess. I do not even know what you mean by a good aga saga.
DeleteI envy you: I miss being in a book club. We always had at least one 'classic' novel to read among the contemporaries. If you should run out of recommendations I have heaps.
ReplyDeleteIt's still a fledgling club. I think a classic thrown in would be a nice change.
DeleteI decided last year to expand my experience by reading classics from other cultures. So far I've read one from each country: Japan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Venezuela and Brazil. All in translation,of course, and not at all like what I usually read. If you want some very different novels, I can recommend some! I'm looking for others now to add to my list. Celie.
ReplyDeleteI should try that as an individual pursuit.
DeleteI love being in a book club. We have read some of the books in your list. This year we are celebrating authors who have a birthday each month January was Edgar Allen Poe, February will be Any Tan. The rest of the year is up for grabs.
ReplyDeleteLike Spo said, some classics would be a good twist on occasion. As we are anew club, I'm still not clear on tastes.
DeleteOur book club read before we were yours last year. Interesting fiction...entertaining rea with some southern history I wasn’t aware of...We do lots of “bestsellers” that I wouldn’t pick on my ow..... I read wonder a while back with the kids in elementary school, I thought it was a little trite....good for kids but I can’t imagine it for a bunch of ladies. Last month wasas city of girls,.. I thought it was waaaayyy too long. To each their own!
ReplyDeleteWonder was not really a good book club selection, but Ok. The suggester felt bad after, but you never know.
DeleteSorry you asked beyond your list (and my spelling is terrible due to a keyboard issue sorry!) ....we read where the crawdads sing, which was an easy read. Educated by Tara we stover was incredible, lilac girls was also good. Daisy June’s and the six was totally out of my norm but good and fast paced!
ReplyDeletethanks for the suggestion. We've often picked suggestions from friends.
DeleteI've been busy! I love to read and journal all my books. Last year I read over 150. I have read most of the books you posted. I prefer fiction and oh my, just finished the controversial book American Dirt in January. I had no idea it would provoke so many negative reactions. Right now i'm rereading the Help. I get most of my books from the library but also 'hit up' a local thrift store every couple of months. A bag of books is just $5! I always feel guilty with that cheap price and give them a ten but I also stuff the bag LOL. I have 5 or 6 favorites that I keep at home but most of my books are donated right back or returned to the library. My daughter, sister and I discuss books but no time for a book club. I've been in one but it was always more social than discussion.
ReplyDeleteI am trying to use the library more, but not a fan of the revamp. It is not easy to browse. I love a good books sale. My daughter has a stack waiting for her for spring break.
DeleteThanks for all these suggestions. I love reading but know I couldn't be a member of book club because I like to read only what I like to read, so if anything bores me or doesn't grab me I no longer finish it. I also read A Man Called Ove (loved it) and The Girl on a Train (also loved it and think they did a good job on the film even though it was set in the US and not the UK). I'm reading "easy" stuff right now so not a lot to recommend, although I just found the French version of The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Walked Away for my DIL - I'll be curious to see if she likes it as much as I did, it's daft but very sweet!
ReplyDeletethis is not a ton of discussion and more a club about books. One Day in December was kind of a throw Away, and we all agreed and some didn't finish.
DeleteI have read The Girl On a Train. It was a very good book. Thanks for the recommendations. I have recently read three Harlan Coben books: Missing You, Tell No One and Just One Look. They were all page turners.
ReplyDeleteOOOH-page turner is a good phrase as a recommendation!
DeleteIs AJ Waines the author of The Girl on a Train?
ReplyDeleteI have read Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate; A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman; and The Girl From the Train by Irma Joubert. I really enjoyed all three.
I use the public library for most of the books I read. My husband gives the title and author to the librarians who determine how to get the book. If the book is at a library within our regional sister libraries, I might have a copy within two or three days. I receive the copy within seven to ten days if it has to be shipped across the state through Interlibrary Loan unless it is a new best seller. New best sellers have a much longer wait period. I have 10-12 books on order and always have something to read because my husband will walk to the library and pick up the new books for me.
Thanks,
Laura
Paula Hawkins I believe is the author-same as Gone Girl. I just miss the old lay out of the library for browsing and I think it was cozier, despite the new fireplace feature. Admittedly, this is probably a better set-up for uses other than browsing books as more computer stations, meeting and study rooms, and a larger children's section. Plus, as you said, we can get books through interlibrary loan. I like to touch books and read a few pages before I know what I want to check out.
DeleteThe Great Alone by Kristin Hannah prompted a fabulous discussion in my book club, as did The Last Painting of Sarah DuVos. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteI'll look both of them up!
Delete