Monday, April 27, 2009

Book Club


After the recent discussions about books we decided it would be fun to set up a book club. This would be a 'read as you can' set up, instead of a chapter a day or something structured like that. If we start a series we do not necessarily have to do the next book in the series, though that is an option. So far we came up with three options to get the brainstorming started:


  • "Small Sacrifices" by Ann Rule (book about Diane Downs which we have previously discussed)
  • O'Malley series by Dee Henderson (beginning with "The Negotiator")
  • Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich (starting with "One for the Money")

If you would like to participate, please leave a comment voting on one of these choices or adding a different book you might think our group would enjoy. We plan to choose a book to begin within the next two weeks. Any questions? Email Lizabeth (dearlizabeth@gmail.com).

26 comments:

merryway said...

This sounds fun. I pick any of them.

Eileen said...

My choice would be The Negotiator. I already read Small Sacrifices years ago, I don't think I could read that sad, sick tale again.
But I'm up for either of the other two.

Kris said...

I stumbled upon this blog a few months ago and really enjoy the insightful...fair...non-judgemental...SANE posting that goes on here. I like that you discuss a variety of subjects, I'm always curious to see what the next topic is.

And idea for your book club- Elizabeth Berg. I have enjoyed all of her books, my favorites are "Talk Before Sleep" and "Dream When You're Feeling Blue". (I would recommend anything she's written though!) I'd love to reread some of her work and discuss it with others.

Anya@IW said...

Hi Kris. Nice to see the kind words!

I have not had the opportunity to read Elizabeth Berg, but I checked out her website and I like it. Made me very interested in reading one of her books. I'd probably vote for "Dream When You're Feeling Blue" based on the description.

As for the original choices, I'd probably pick the Ann Rule book as the one I am most interested in, but truthfully, it is very dark and I think some of us might struggle with that.

For the future, I would suggest Jeannette Walls "The Glass Castle" and Audrey Niffenegger's "The Time Traveler's Wife" (soon to be a movie, I believe). I think both would have pretty wide appeal.

Dr. H said...

I've read the Stephanie Plum series, but I would vote for it again, because it is the awesome. I also recommend novels by Jen Lancaster, starting with Bitter is the New Black.

Other rec.- Confessions of a Shopoholic (better than the movie).

Stuff by Stephen King (I'm a huge dang fan).

Samantha@IW said...

I loved the Dee Henderson series and have heard great things about Stephanie Plum.

Dr. H. I wanted to read the book so I've refused to see the movie- the book is always better!

Anonymous said...

I think this is a great idea. I haven't read any of these books so as long as my local Chapters has the one you guys decide on Im in. :)

CincyMom said...

I think Stephanie Plum sounds good. Haven't heard of it, though. I glanced at the website. Is it "light" reading? or a little more in depth?

I don't want a dark read now. I just read The Shack and basically read the beginning and the end and skipped through the philosophical middle stuff. Was soooo disapointed to hear from a friend that the "writer" and main character are the same person even though the preface says they are two different people. She saw him speak at her school and he said he is the main guy too and the whole story is something he made up to show his children about faith.

Q said...

I am in as long as it is light reading and something I can easily pick up at the library! :)

Dr. H said...

CincyMom, Stephanie Plum novels are about as light as it gets. :)

Ann said...

Count me in...great idea Lizabeth! I'll read any of it.

CinxyMom, I liked The Shack, but I don't know what you mean by the main character and the guy who wrote it being the same guy. I read it last summer. maybe I need to refresh.
I heard that it will be a movie too.

Eileen said...

I liked The Shack too, Saint. It was quirky, but I still found it appealing. So many people highly recommended this book to me, telling me how it would change my life, how they found such peace from it, how profound it was. I was a little let down I guess because they had built it up so much, and I think also because the feeling the main character had (or discovered) about God was nothing new to me, I really do feel that God is interested in every single one of us and in every little aspect of our lives. I believe He wants a personal relationship with everyone. And I believe that everything (good and bad) that happens to us in life happens for a reason. Nothing earth-shattering was revealed to me by reading this book, it was just more an affirmation of what I already believe.

Ann said...

Eileen, I had the same reaction to The Shack. I've been exposed to this view of the Trinity before so it wasn't an earth-shattering concept for me. The author was not fond of organized religion, which I love, but I still liked how God was portrayed. Actually, you said that better than I did so I'll just add, ITA.

Lizzy said...

Thanks for all the response! I am really interested in Small Sacrifices as well but it seems like that kind of heavy, depressing book may not be a good way to enjoy Spring.

Dr. H, I have read Stephen King's IT and it gave me nightmares :). I love his writing but, like the Ann Rule books, its really intense and the kind of book you don't really just pick up to read for a few minutes on the front porch when it is nice outside :). I have heard great things about The Shack as well so I'll have to take a look at that one later on.

Because of the discussion, it looks like the first in the Stephanie Plum series ("One for the money") is a good bet-- I have read the Dee Henderson books and love them, but its not as light as the Evanovich ones. Kris, I had never heard of Elizabeth Berg before but "Dream When You're Feeling Blue" also sounds wonderful.

So, then, Book Club members, which of those three options would you prefer? I am fine with any, and we can always do one then the next in line instead of sticking with a series :).

"One for the Money" by Janet Evanovich
"Dream When You're Feeling Blue" by Elizabeth Berg
"The Negotiator" by Dee Henderson

Anonymous said...

Im fine with any of those but if I had to pick I would choose Dream When Your Feeling Blue by Elizabeth Berg.

Honestly they all sound interesting and I will probably read them all at some point. :)

Eileen said...

Any of those three books are fine with me.
I guess it should depend on what's most available to those who want to participate. It sounds like it might not be so easy for some readers to get some books.
That's such an eye-opener for me! I'm so used to living in a city with book stores and libraries all over the place!

CincyMom said...

Saint--in the beginning (funny, huh?) of The Shack, the author William Paul Young says he is writing the story for his friend Mack (the dad in the book).

All I know is my girlfriend said William Young spoke at her daughter's school and he said he and Mack are the same person and the story is completely fictional. The murder of the daughter never happened, etc. He wrote it for his children as a way to discuss faith. I cannot confirm any of this, just what I heard from her.

Lizabeth--I vote for Stephanie Plum first and would be happy to do a heavier or more in depth read as we would go. Never been in a book club before, because I just read and move on. Not sure what it would be like talking about it.....

Portia said...

May I make another suggestion: The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs.

Anonymous said...

Ohh, can I change my vote?

I vote for The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. I have contemplated buying this book so many times and I think it would be a really good read. :)

Lizzy said...

I love the idea, Paula-- we can add that on our list of potential books as well.

As I mentioned, we can just start with one then when finished we can move on to the next. I want to read all the books mentioned so far and it seems like most of you do, too!

Portia said...

When can we start! Can't wait.

Nina Bell said...

I have The Friday Night Knitting Club at home. I bought it last summer and still haven't read it. That is one of my choices.

Kris said...

I had given an author idea toward the top of this thread and have a couple more to pass along. (Seems like you have quite a few ideas already though!)

Sandra Dallas- lighter reads, many about family and friendship.

Jacqueline Winspear- Maisie Dobbs mystery series, I believe there are 5 books in the series.

Anya@IW said...

I am fine with Stephanie Plum. Sounds like a lot of folks are interested....!

Anonymous said...

Im not sure if ya'll have decided which book we will be reading but I just finished the first book in a series that so far promises to be great, IMO at least. :) The book is called Peaches and its by Jodi Lynn Anderson and is the first in a three book series. Its geared towards YA readers but honestly I think it applies to just about any woman. Its much better than the books description makes it out to be, its an endearing story of unexpected friendship and was an absolute page turner. I seriously had major trouble putting this book down and can't wait to start the second book, The Secret Life Of Peaches.

Lizzy said...

Ok, Book Clubbers-- it looks like the best bet for our first foray into Book Clubishness is going with "One for the Money" by Janet Evanovich. This is a lighter read, according to Dr. H, and a really popular book that should be available everywhere.

For our next selection we will choose between one of Elizabeth Berg's books and "The Friday Night Knitting Club." Seems like the Evanovich is widely available and might be a good way to ease into being in a Book Club. I have never done one before either so this will be a great new adventure!

Please send me an email (dearlizabeth@gmail.com) if you want to participate- we can plan on starting Memorial Day weekend which gives us all a chance to get a copy of the book.