A member of The International Pulpwood Queens and Timber Guys Book Club Reading Nation
So much more than just reading.
We had a lovely book club last night. Our book was “Pieces of My Mother” by Melissa Cistaro.
The author’s memoir is heartbreakingly sad. She elevated the harshness of the story with elegant prose, but it never leaves the reader uplifted or inspired.
I’m glad I read the book, sadness and all, and I think book clubs can use this book to open up dialogue about our own dysfunctional moments. See my review to the right.
What a wonderful event for area readers!
I didn’t have book club this month to encourage my book club members to participant in the 2nd annual festival of books.
On Friday night Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn spoke to a packed house about getting involved and giving back.
Participating authors spoke at varying times during the day on Saturday. I enjoyed Kimberly McCreight speak about her writing journey. McCreight wrote “Reconstructing Amelia,” which was nominated for an Edgar Award. Her current novel is “Where They Found Her.”
We also listened to Hector Tobar who wrote “Deep Down Dark,” and Bryan Burrough who wrote “Days of Rage.”
My favorite part of the day was Gail Sheehy’s lecture. She was amazing. What a life – what a woman!
I can’t wait till next year!!!
Ahhh, my favorite month of the year! There is no finer month in New Jersey. The weather is superb with warm temperatures, sunny skies with only a hint of fall in the wind.
For book club this month the book was “The Rumor,” by Elin Hilderbrand. See my review on the right. Even though we had a very small group we still had a lovely evening.
The book is about best friends who lose their way in their friendship aided by some gossip, both true and false, but do come to an understanding about what friendship is all about.
We had a lovely dinner at Café Azzurro for our book club meeting this month. Also all of the members were able to come, and even my cousin from England who was visiting joined us.
The night would have been a perfect 10 (instead of a 9.9) if the book had been more suited to book club discussion. We read “The Ocean at the End of the Lane,” by Neil Gaiman. The book is an adult fairy tale that didn’t give us much in the way of discussion. There was plenty of magic and imagination, but little for us to talk about.
So instead we moved right to Patty’s amazing dessert and satisfied our sweet tooth instead.
This month we did something different. We joined another book club for a discussion of the Morristown Festival of Books’ One Community, One Book (OCOB) selection “The Lost Ravioli Recipes of Hoboken,” by Laura Schenone. Book clubs and readers from all over the area were asked to read a single book and discuss it. (See my review under the author’s name to the right.)
We had met the lovely ladies of Long Valley at the Morristown Festival of Books’ kick-off reception in April and decided to try to join together for the OCOB pick.
It was an amazing experience and I highly recommend it to other book clubs. Not only was it fun, but it was also enlightening.
Our book club went to dinner at Gladstone Tavern for our June meeting. The book this month was Harlen Coben’s, “The Stranger.” We have been reading Coben’s novels as a book club since his “Tell No One,” debut and we always enjoy his work. See my review on the right.
And nothing beats having dinner with your friends and talking about a book you liked. Life is good.
We went out to Tabor Tavern Inn for dinner, cocktails and our monthly book club. So much fun! I started off with a pink cosmo to salute our romance pick for the month. Our book was Susan Mallery’s novel “Three Sisters.”
Actually, the novel was more of a chic lit/romance/beach read all wrap up into one. See my review on the right.
Romance readers like happy endings and this novel ties everything up with a big pink bow.
This month’s book was “The Girl on the Train,” by Paula Hawkins, a New York Times bestseller. It’s a psychological thriller and what a ride.
This book won’t change your life or help with world peace, but it will keep you up till the wee hours of the morning. (See my review to the right).
When your book club is looking for something a little different, try this.
In case you couldn’t guess from the picture we read “Wild,” by Cheryl Strayed for this month’s pick.
We all loved it and recommend it to other book clubs. (See my review on right under the author’s name.)
We wanted to go to the movie to see the Pacific Crest Trail, but unfortunately only a few shots are on the PCT and they are all in Oregon. Too bad!
When you have freezing cold weather and way too much snow what else can you do but read.
We picked a real thrill ride of a story to keep us guessing all the way through the book. I almost forgot about the wretched weather.
Our book was “The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair,” by Joel Dicker. It is an international best seller and a great read in front of the fireplace. See my review on the right.
Every member of book club loved the book.