APRIL READING GROUP UPDATE

 The big news is that one and maybe two of my reading groups will meet in person this month because all members are fully vaccinated! I am excited about every book that will be discussed this month.

One Book At A Time:

I have been on a bit of a Joyce Carol Oates obsession lately and recommended this one for our group. 

Carol's Group:

I am so excited to read this latest book by Kazuo Ishiguro. We may meet on the patio of one of our members.

Bookie Babes:

This is nonfiction but sounds like a good read about a female spy ring in France during the German occupation of France.

Tina's Group:

This group has not met during the pandemic because the leader does not favor meetings on Zoom. Now we are all vaccinated so we will meet at her house to discuss this book about women who use poison to liberate women from men who have harmed them. Sounds good to me!

How is it going with your reading groups? Have you discussed any of these books? 

MARCH READING GROUP UPDATE

 Once more, on Zoom, at least three of my groups will meet. But a glimmer of hope with the vaccine rollout is stimulating speculation about when, where and how we could me in person again.

One Book At A Time:

I know, you are thinking didn't we discuss that last month? Due to illness, the meeting was postponed until March, so I will do my best to remember why I loved this book so much.

Bookie Babes:

Not a book I was dying to read, but I can understand it was chosen to give us hope.

Carol's Group:

This is one of my favorite books ever and while I will not reread, I am beyond excited to finally discuss it with the great readers in this group.

Have you read or discussed any of these books? Are you anticipating meeting in person again if you have a reading group or two you belong to?

FEBRUARY READING GROUP UPDATE

 Though my reading groups are still meeting on Zoom, I did not feel like finding another Zoom image for this post. The books and the discussions are the thing, after all. Only three meetings this month as The Tinies are still on hold due to the illness of one member. 

My best news of the month so far is that my husband and I have received the first dose of the Corona Virus vaccine. Many of my reading group members, since we are predominately over 65, have also received first doses. It takes persistence and paying attention to get appointments and I wish it could all be rolling out faster, but the wave has begun!

All the books for my groups are new to me and I am looking forward to each one. Have you read any of these books?

One Book At A Time:

I have enjoyed the previous books I have read by Julia Alvarez. This is her first adult novel in 15 years and it features a retired woman and sounds just as entrancing.

Bookie Babes:

I am always interested in anything more I can learn about Harper Lee, so while I have felt a little overbalanced with non fiction lately, I will willingly read this.

Carol's Group:

Tokarczuk is another author I have enjoyed. This one has been called a "deeply satisfying thriller cum fairy tale." It is set in the author's native Poland, a land with uncounted bones beneath the soil. Just today I will finish James Michener's Poland, read so that I know more of the history of the country.

JANUARY READING GROUP UPDATE

 I am a bit late posting this but since none of my groups have met yet this month, here goes. Only three meetings. One is on Martin Luther King Day, another is on Inauguration Day and the last is after all the excitement and distraught horrible stuff is hopefully in the past. What a January we are having.

One Book At A Time:

I read this last year but it is a great book to discuss on Martin Luther King Day.

Carol's Group:

I am reading this now and I can tell you that is is astounding. 

Bookie Babes:

I have not read any of the books in this series and it is #9, but I look forward to a wintry read featuring Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope because I have heard good things about the series.

We are all still meeting on Zoom. Are any of your reading groups meeting this month? If so, what will you be discussing? Have you read any of these books?

Here is hoping February will see some light at the end of the tunnel.

DECEMBER READING GROUP UPDATE

 I thought I would be a little silly with the Zoom reading group image this month. Hope it gives you a laugh.

Only one holiday title for December but a good variety of books, none of which are too long, in case we have so many plans for the season. Not!

It will be a challenge to get in the spirit this year but each group will vote on what was the best book we discussed. There is talk of singing carols or playing a literary game. Readers do usually have good imaginations!

One Book At A Time:

Carol's Group:

Bookie Babes:

Tiny Book Club:

Are you attending any reading groups this month? What will you discuss?

Have you read any of these books?

NOVEMBER READING GROUP UPDATE

 

Another month on Zoom but what a line-up my groups have, all so in tune with the times. Also instead of wringing our hands, we can celebrate as we discuss the outcome of the election and truly feel that all our reading and study can make us better citizens and agents for positive change. Does anyone else feel you have been holding your breath for 5 years and can now take a deep breath while preparing to face whatever comes next?

One Book At A Time:

Carol's Group:

Bookie Babes:

Tiny Book Club:

Yes, two groups chose books about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who I trust is jumping for joy from the afterlife. Plus we have one book about science vs faith and one about the plague.

Have you read or discussed any of these books? What are your groups discussing in November?

OCTOBER READING GROUP UPDATE

Yes, my reading groups are still meeting on Zoom. We may be doing so for a while yet. It is still better than no reading group meetings at all. As you will see, in this month of impending doom and desperate hope for better days ahead, the books this month are all in some way political.

One Book At A Time:

Carol's Group:

Bookie Babes:

Have you read or discussed any of these books? What are your reading groups discussing this month? If you were in a reading group what books would you want to discuss? 

SEPTEMBER READING GROUP UPDATE

My reading groups are on a roll. Lately every book is one I either already wanted to read or one I am happy to read. Still on Zoom though it may be possible to hope we can meet in person again someday soon.

Carol's Group:

 

One Book At A Time:

 

Bookie Babes:

 

Tiny Book Club:

 

 

How are your reading groups going? Have you had any good discussions lately? Have you read or discussed any of the above?

AUGUST READING GROUP UPDATE

Four of my six reading groups are still meeting on Zoom. I have not heard from the other two but four Zoom meetings a month is just about plenty for me. Everyone has worked out their glitches and we are all old pros by now.

Two groups chose the same book again this month. All of the books deal with diversity of one kind or another and that is appropriate for the times. None are about pandemics though. Good!!

One Book At A Time:

 

I finished reading this yesterday and it is amazing! 

Just came out in paperback last month.

Carol's Group and Bookie Babes:

 

No review I have read prepared me for all that goes on in this novel.

I am reading it now and whoa!!

 

Tiny Book Club:

This is a memoir by one of my favorite authors.

Can't wait to read it.

It comes out in paperback this month.

 

 

Have you read/discussed any of these books?

Are you meeting with a reading group this month? If yes, what will you discuss?

JULY READING GROUP UPDATE

I was going to try getting a screen shot of one of my reading group meetings, but the group that was to meet yesterday decided to postpone to next week. Yes, we are all still on Zoom and the way it's going in California, probably will be for some time yet. So I'll give you that screen shot next month.

I have already previously read two of the books to be discussed this month but look forward to all of the sharing of viewpoints.

Tiny Book Club: 

 

 

Carol's Group:

One Book At A Time:

Bookie Babes:

How are your reading groups faring these days? Have you read or discussed any of these books?

JUNE READING GROUP UPDATE

I really couldn't use one of those cute reading group images this month. This is how all my reading groups begin these days. The good news is that four of my six groups are now meeting on Zoom, which isn't perfect but is way better than not meeting at all. I am so grateful for this user friendly technology and for the member of each group who manages the invitations and all that.

This month two of my groups are discussing the same book: The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich. It is such a wonderful read about Native American life that I am thrilled to have two chances to discuss it.

Here is the lineup:

The Tiny Book Club and Carol's Group:

 

One Book At A Time:

 

I have read and discussed this one in another group a few months ago, but since it is a book that seems to evoke many and various reactions in readers, I am sure it will be interesting to discuss it again.

 

Bookies Babes: 

 

This is a sequel to Attica Locke's earlier book, Bluebird, Bluebird, which I took the time to read first. The setting is East Texas contemporary times and delves into the precarious life of a Black Texas Ranger.  Heaven My Home follows with a later part of his story. Full of the complex tangles of racism, it is a pretty darn appropriate read to accompany the ongoing protests.

 

Have you read and/or discussed any of these books? If you are a member of a real life reading group, how are you coping? Do you meet on Zoom or discuss through email or text? And what books have you been discussing lately?

MAY READING GROUP UPDATE

Good evening at the end of a lovely Mother's Day. My three Zoom reading groups will meet this month. Two of the books are rereads for me but I am happy to reread them. I have already finished Little Women. Today I started The House of the Spirits. I am wild with excitement to read Louise Erdrich's latest, The Nightwatchman.


One Book At A Time:

Bookie Babes:

Tiny Book Club:

Are any of your reading groups going in some form or other? If yes, what will you discuss in May? Have you read or discussed any of these?