The Life We Bury by Allen Eskins

December 2, 2016

Hostess:  Cheryl
Attendees:  Janna, Susan, Mary Margaret, Emily, Joan, Pam T, Pam M, Myra, Lori


Cheryl was well prepared as usual and led us through a lot of interesting discussion on The Life We Bury.   Seems like it started out with good intentions of being a page-turner with its multi-layered plot and various characters.   However, the further along it went the more far-fetched the novel became. (How dumb do you think we are?)   Lori summed it up that it was as if the author were writing to a social-media audience.  Kinda like that last few books we've read...   Our group always manages to have entertaining discussions, though,  no matter how good or bad we end up rating the book.   This book hovered at 3 or 3.5 stars.

 Mary Margaret suggested we consider A Gentleman in Moscow by
Amor Towles if we want to get in a little more reading over the holidays.

Merry Christmas to all! Our next meeting will be in January 2017!  
The Magnificent Ambersons by Booth Tarkington at Joan's house.

Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner

November 3, 2016

Hostess:  Susan
Attendees:  Cheryl,  Mary Margaret, Amy, Pam T, Pam M,  Janna, Joan, Betty Rose, Myra

Not the best book we ever read, but good company,  good food and good discussion!

Next month's book choice:  The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens

Wool by Hugh Howey

Sept 8, 2016

Hostess:  Mary Margaret
Attendees:  Michelle, Cheryl, Pam T. Pam M, Myra, Janna

Wool was the first science fiction choice for book club.  It was met with skepticism by some of us  but once hooked we found it to be entertaining and enjoyable.  It felt more like a mystery than straight science fiction.   The character development was good, and the plot kept us going.   This book was self-published;  prior to publishing this, the author was a yacht captain among other occupations.   Wool is also part of the Silo series.

We gave it a **** (four star) overall rating. 

 Mary Margaret won "QUOTE OF THE NIGHT"

Next book:   The Last Painting of Sara de Vos by Dominic Smith

Field Trip!

Atlanta History Center
August 18, 2016

Author Talk:   The Nest  by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

Attendees:       Lori, Cheryl, Amy, Susan

  Author Cynthia looks like she could be a member of the PW Ladies Bookclub;  she's wearing the right uniform!

We never pass up an opportunity for something sweet...

The Sisters of Versailles by Sally Christie August 4, 2016

The Sisters of Versailles
by Sally Christie
August 4, 2016

Hostess:  Lisa
Attendees:  Michelle, Cheryl, Lori, Emily, Betty Rose, Amy, Mary Margaret, Jana, Pam M

We rated this book "fun."  No denying it read like a  fluffy romance novel.   Through the letters to each other  five sisters told the stories of life in the court of King Louis XV of France.  We discovered that the girl drama of these women was really no different than drama between sisters in todays world.

We discussed some possible choices for future meetings.   

Next month's selection:  Wool by  Hugh Howey

The Orphans of Race Point (April) Everything I Never Told You (May) April 28, 2016

Date:  April 28, 2016

The Orphans of Race Point
by Patry Francis (April selection)

Everything I Never Told You
by Celeste Ng (May selection)

Hostess:  Susan
Attendees:  Betty Rose, Emily, Pam T, Cheryl, Pam M


We held our meeting in April and combined it with our May selection, Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng.

The Orphans of Race Point did not rate as high (basically, "in a book club, had to read it") as Everything I Never Told You, ("would recommend it") which we enjoyed for a number of reasons. Both books generated thoughtful discussion.

And the food Susan provided was delectable, as always! 

See you in August!

Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger ~ March 10, 2016

Host:  Michelle
Attendees:   Amy, Cheryl, Betty Rose,  Joan, Susan, Janna, Pam T, Pam M, Mary Margaret, Lisa (who arrived after photos)

This book was the first in awhile to which we unanimously gave a thumbs up.  Does that mean a 4.75 or a 5 star rating?   We liked the characters, plot and setting,  and just enjoyed it overall.  It gave us some thought provoking discussion about "grace" in our lives. 

Our selections often generate a wide range of emotions :)

Broken Harbor by Tana French

February 4, 2016

Host:  Amy
Attendees:  Cheryl, Mary Margaret, Michelle, Joan, Susan, Pam T, Pam M

We tried, very hard, to find some redeeming literary qualities in this book.  Some of us had not finished it,  and some finished it with some difficulty.  We all agreed that despite top reviews and being listed on the NYTimes bestseller list, we did not see it quite the same way.

Nevertheless, we always enjoy each other's company 

 Who picked this book?

Until next month!

The Headmaster's Wife by Thomas Christopher Greene

January 7, 2016

Hostess:  Cheryl
Attendees:  Amy, Susan, Janna, Mary Margaret, Joan, Betty Rose, Michelle, Pam T, Pam M  and Sandy dog

Any food for me?

Greene's book The Headmaster's Wife is a portrait of one couple at their best and worst. Inspired by a personal loss, Greene explores the way that tragedy and time assail one man's memories of his life and loves. The book is told from two very different narrative views: Arthur's and his wife, Elizabeth's. They tell a narrative of love, of marriage, of family and of a tragedy Arthur does not know how to address. Their son, Ethan, chose not to go to college but instead joined the army at age 18 then was blown up in an accident.

Good discussion by all who read the book, but we agreed that the ending was disappointing.

Character development was weak. Elizabeth was not developed as well as she could have been.

There was an interesting plot development twist halfway through the book when it was discovered that Arthur was really referring to the high school version of Elizabeth (when we thought he was having an affair with a young student).

The author's storytelling ability was good.