The world is gradually coming out of quarantine. Some businesses are opening back up using precautions. We toyed with the idea of meeting at an outdoor location where we could observe social distance but, the heat ruled that out. It was agreed we would meet again by zoom.I had a friend's birthday party to attend. I had planned on stepping away for a few minutes to join the discussion but timing just didn't allow for it. I was sorry to miss. On that note, Diana did a great job of reviewing the evening and I will put her comments here.
(Diana) This month's meeting was a small group. We missed Barb, Pam, Tammy, Terry, Sherrie, Carla A and Darby.
The "Bookshop on the Corner" was well received with a rating of 3.89. We enjoyed being taken away to lovely Scotland. Nina's love of books and the interesting characters in this novel made it a fun read and/or listen. Leslie especially love the book as it reminded her of her own life journey moving to a new and different place as a young adult and the beginning of her relationship with her husband. I know most of us have read a book that we truly enjoyed and that spoke to us at the right time. Those stories become our favorite.
(Sherrie) I enjoyed the opportunity for a "light" read this month. Real life has been very heavy with issues in the collective. Also, a former boss and dear friend passed away this week and the book was a welcome diversion. Having been to Scotland, I was easily able to put myself in the setting. I loved her idea for the mobile bookshop. I wanted to live in her "converted" barn. I liked that the author put the children in her path. Besides finding her way with her career, helping the children in need also gave her a purpose that balanced the story so that it wasn't just the romance of meeting a handsome farmer by chance.
There was a funny discussion about the lack of "crime" novels that we have read. The funny part is that when we reviewed the titles, we had actually read about a dozen of them over the years.
(Diana) Janie shared that her daughter, Rustie,will be having her first book club in a couple of weeks. They will read "Killers of the Flower Moon." and Indian Fry Bread is on the menu. Janie will be there for the first meeting and we look forward to hearing all about it!
Janie also shared her love for the poem "Desiderata." Her grandfather had it typed and framed in the 1960's. Janie now has this framed copy and has found comfort in reading it every day. (there is a link to the poem on the Facebook page.)
We are still playing our "in person" meeting by ear. Waiting to see how things go as the quarantine is lifted. July's book is the book of poetry by Vivian Nida. Vivian will be making an appearance to discuss the book via Zoom or in person.
There has been a change in our book for August. "Let's Pretend this Never Happened," was tabled in favor of "Born a Crime" by Trevor Noah. However, for those who have read the first book or wanted to, we'll make time for discussing it as well.
"The Hired Girl" by Laura Amy Schulz, was picked for August.
Diana has also listed a number of other books that were brought up and Pam, in a separate post, also recommended several. I will refer you to Facebook for those titles.
