That Book Club I was thinking about starting got off to a pretty good start, especially considering how the rest of the year has been going. YAY!
I can't take all the credit, since roughly 120% of the success of a book club depends on its members. I may not be a math whiz, but I do know some great people.
Of the titles I tried to foist on (ahem, I mean recommend to) the group, I've read about half.
Here's a wrap-up, mostly because my memory needs a cheat sheet:
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng (© 2017), we read as a group. We liked it, and chatted about Cleveland burbs, adoption, race, class, and kids. Not a bad discussion ;)
The Gimmicks by Chris McCormick (© 2020) I and a couple of other members of the group read, and liked this. I was especially pleased with the slow-but-steady character building, and would say the author has a deft touch. Also, some of McCormick's sentences were just pure joy to read. Only con: I really didn't learn anything about professional wrestling. Well, there's still time...
The Dinner List by Rebecca Serle (© 2018) I read it and recommended it until people tuned me out. LOVED this one! It was a more than pure escapism, but definitely a lighter read. I'm pretty sure this will land on my top 5 titles of the year list.
Miracle Creek by Angie Kim (© 2019) After reading this, I was slightly disappointed, and therefore glad I didn't push it on my fellow book clubbers. I think my disappointment stemmed from this: I wanted Kim to be my next Kingsolver, and she surprised me by being more of a John Grisham. OK, so I'll read something else from her... but I'm not really in a hurry.
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan (© 2012) - SO MUCH FUN! Like a light version of The DaVinci Code and THE COVER REALLY DOES GLOW IN THE DARK, so there's that. :D
The Overdue Life of Amy Byler by Kelly Harms (©2019) haven't read it, decided it sounded a little trite. I might try it if someone tells me it's awesome. (Have you read it?)
Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore (© 2020) --- Um, we read it as a group, and I'd give it more than a "Meh" rating, but frankly, I think the writing got in the way of what could've been a more enjoyable story. I reviewed it on Goodreads, in case you're interested.
D-Day Girls: The Spies Who Armed the Resistance, Sabotaged the Nazis, and Helped Win World War II by Sarah Rose (©2019) Haven't read; keeping it on the 2R list.
Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don't Know by Malcolm Gladwell (© 2019) My dad's reading this one. He's a tough critic; I'll see what he thinks.
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson (© 2017) I need to read this, if only for the brain exercise. For the record, one member of our book group listened to it. Yes, I do think I should get credit for having some brainiac friends.
And in the Movie Corner?
I haven't even seen Emma yet. Should I?
Got an opinion? I'd love to hear it!
