April’s Book Club

girl trainThis 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.

March 2015

pctIn 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!

 

February 2015

roller coasterWhen 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.

 

January 2015

alchemist

 

What a great way to start out the New Year with a little positive thinking!  Our book for January was “The Alchemist,” by Paulo Coelho. See my review on the right. Most of the ladies of our book club enjoyed the book and felt a little happier when they finished reading, and who could asked for a better result.

November 2014

fireplace

 

Our book club ended our year with Donna Tart’s “Goldfinch.”  The book was a national best seller and won this year’s Pulitzer Prize for fiction. The book is a large one and it was too much for some of our busy working moms, but those of us who read the book enjoyed it.  See my review to the right.

It was a captivating meeting in front of my fireplace soaking up the heat from the fire and the warmth from a lovely group of women.

September’s Book Club – 2014

ladies-of-laughterWe opted out of reading this month and instead went out to dinner and to “Ladies of Laughter.”  It was an evening of laughter, cocktails and good friendship – what else could be better.

I read a good book and would like to share (see my review right hand side of the website)  titled “In the Woods,” by Tana French.  The book is a mystery written by an Irish writer.  I thought the story was very believable without the perfect finish that so often comes with mysteries.  Ms. French’s writing is quite lovely with her poetic descriptive phrases of her beloved Ireland.  It’s a perfect book for fall with a glass of wine and a warm throw.  Enjoy!

August 2014 Book Club – “The Cuckoo’s Calling,” by J.K. Rowling

by Vectorish.com
by Vectorish.com

Sushi was the food and “The Cuckoo’s Calling,” by JK Rowling was the book for our August book club. (See my review on the right).

Some of us liked the book, while others said it was okay. I enjoyed the protagonist, Cormoran Strike (what a name), and his personality fit the name. This is no Snape, or Dumbledore. A wonderfully flawed, one-legged Afghan veteran, with an estranged girlfriend that weighs heavy on this mind.

Now, mix in an alleged suicide of a world-famous model and some stimulating characters, and you have a refreshing whodunit.

detective
123rf.com

Not sure if its book club material, but a good read nonetheless.

 

July 2014 Book Club

bfbc booksWe had book club at my house on a beautiful July evening.  It was so close to our June meeting that we decided to read a Kindle Single tilted “An Unexpected Twist,” by Andy Borowitz.  It’s about his experience with a medical procedure and just how bad some procedures go.  Worth the read.

We also read “Masters of Love,” by Emily Esfahani Smith.  It’s about a study done in “The Atlantic.”  The link is http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/06/happily-ever-after/372573/.  The article is quite good and we had a lot of discussion between us.

Kindle Singles are a great alternative to those stressed out months when people have no time to read an entire book.  I like short stories and am writing a few myself right now.

 

 

 

June 2014

 

My favorite artist Frank Benson - 1899 "The Sisters"
My favorite artist
Frank Benson – 1899
“The Sisters”

This month’s book club we focused on Sisters with Anna Quindlen’s “Rise and Shine.”   It led to a good discussion on familial relationships, especially sisters.  (See my Review on Right.)

I liked this book, but I loved “Every Last One,” by Quindlen more.   (See my Review on Right for that book also.)

There is a big fight between the sisters at the end of the book and my question to my fellow book clubbers was:  Do you think the sisters just go on without apology, without submission from one to the other of blame and fault?    What do you think?