July Book Club 2026

Barb, Sammy, and Asia hosted the book club for us on a beautiful July night. Not quite as hot as it has been, but not quite cool enough for the patio.

We were thrilled that Darby arranged some of her summer vacation to visit with us. We missed Lis and Arnora, who are on a mission trip to Costa Rica. 

Barb made a cold Gazpacho soup and peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream. Carla G brought chicken salad and crackers, and Carla A brought a green salad with a homemade vinaigrette. Janie brought both regular and guacamole deviled eggs. Diana brought croissants and chocolate croissants. 

Denise brought corn and bean dip with Fritos. Pam brought Sangria, we had red and white wine, and tea. 

Our book was "My Antonia" by Willa Cather. She is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author for "One of Ours," but we decided on Antonia. 

The story is told in memoir format as Jim Burden remembers his profound, lifelong bond with Antonia Shimerda. Jim is orphaned and sent to live with his grandparents in Blackhawk, Nebraska, where he meets Antonia, a resilient Bohemian girl. It captures the immigrant experience, the harsh prairie life, and the enduring power of memory. The novel covers the time period from the late 1800s to 1910 and bridges the gap between the 19th and 20th centuries. 

Jim is a reliable narrator of events but an unreliable interpreter. He records events correctly but sees them through the eyes of nostalgia.

I thought that “My Antonia” had similar themes of nostalgia to last month’s book, “Travels with Charley.” Both Jim and Steinbeck are trying, in their own ways, to connect with a younger version of themselves. 

Steinbeck realizes the places he left behind have changed, but so has he. He is happy to return to the person he has become and the life he has. It only took him three months and 10,000 miles to figure it out. Antonia, however, helps Jim understand that the people we love, those who have formed us, are never lost to us, they live in our hearts. The book rated a 4. 

We decided to switch books for August. We will be reading Ann Patchett's new book, Whistler. Our host is to be determined. 

June Book Club 2026

 

Books 287, 279 meetings, 23 retreats/outings, and 288 blogs!

This year, we are reading two Pulitzer Prize-winning authors. Willa Cather in July. And this month is John Steinbeck. 

Diana hosted this month and, in keeping with the book's road trip theme, provided us with a lovely picnic-style meal. We enjoyed two types of Croissant Chicken Salad sandwiches, accompanied by potato salad, baked beans, and deviled eggs. We had Angel Food Cake with strawberries, whipped cream, and brownies. She also had Champagne, which we mixed with strawberry lemonade and other assorted wines, and tea. 

Travels with Charley, published in 1962, is considered a travelogue by John Steinbeck. Feeling that he'd lost touch with the America he was famous for writing about, he took off on a 10,000-mile, three-month road trip with his French Poodle, Charley, to reconnect with it. 

The two traveled in a custom camper he named after Don Quixote's horse, Rocinante. He was warned that traveling incognito would be difficult, as he was so widely known. He did take precautions, only to discover no one recognized him at all.  Steinbeck was 58 and not in the best of health when he headed out on this excursion to rediscover what "Americans are like today." 

His travels took him from Long Island through New England and on to the Pacific Northwest.  From Seattle, he follows the coastline to his childhood home of Salinas. Here, he finds the truth of Thomas Wolfe’s novel, “You Can’t Go Home Again.”  

Our consensus was that Steinbeck was really searching for a sense of nostalgia and a longing for the self he'd been when writing those stories. But progress, industry, and population explosion had changed the topography. And, Steinbeck was not the same. 

Steinbeck was looking for the “authentic” America. But America is too big with too many diverse regions. There is no one-size-fits-all American. 

The last leg of the trip finds him road-weary and exhausted; all he wants to do is go home. So, in the end, he did "go home again." But it was to his current self, his current life, his current wife. 

There were those who critiqued the book as not fully factual. He combined characters and left out parts where he stayed in nicer hotels. But, we didn't think it was that kind of travel book. He wasn't recommending places and giving reviews, and he met too many people to record them all. So, making composite characters only made sense. 

I’m glad to have been on the road with John and Charley. It tells me that the more things change, the more they stay the same. It reminded me of the road trips Carla and I took on Rt 66 to complete our passport books. That was a couple of months of memorable experiences I could never have predicted. It started out as a kind of scavenger hunt, but turned into a journey of discovery of our state. 

The book rated a 4. 

Next month, we will be at Barb's on July 12. We have switched our Willa Cather novel to My Antonia.

May Book Club 2026

 

Books 286, 279 meetings, 23 retreats/outings, and 222 Blogs

A beautiful spring day at Denise's for a lakeside discussion of Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton. There was a light breeze, but the temperature could not have been more perfect. 

We were all present and accounted for except for Barb and Janie. 

Denise had BBQ turkey and beef, BBQ beans, Coleslaw, and White Chocolate Vanilla Bundt cake with ice cream.  Lis brought three different kinds of cornbread. Carla G brought homemade pickles. Arnora brought cherries and a beautiful bouquet of flowers. There was a lot of wine and other beverages.

We had a great discussion about the book. So many of us have connections to rabbits and hares. 

The book inspired talk of more than just hares. Chloe's experience with the hare and leverets inspired her to investigate the hare's environment. As a reporter in her day job, she has started addressing some of the more disastrous effects of humans on wildlife. 

Diana had a rabbit take up residence in her vegetable and herb garden for a couple of years. The rabbit had several kits over that time. Denise's daughter, Lauren, is working on a project with Eagles and Hares. Unknown to us, until the book, there is open hunting of hares. They are the only wildlife that doesn't require a permit or hunting season. Consequently, there is a diminishing population, and that is contributing to a diminishing Eagle population. Hares are a major source of food for Eagles. My son and his family had a rabbit for several years, and they were devastated when she passed away recently. 

The story was entertaining, informative, and poignant. 

I was reminded of Watership Down and saw several comparisons. In Watership, we got the impact of the environment from the rabbits' point of view, and in Raising Hare, we see the impact on a person caring for wildlife and the environment.  

Diana shared some notes from her Fitbit chat Coach. She fed it information about her day, and it asked what book she was reading for a book club. It came back with comments and points for the discussion.

1. The burden and the beauty of caring for something or someone

2.  Trust versus companionship

3.  The concept of freedom

4.  Slowing down. Here, we brought up the effects that slowing down during the COVID pandemic had on people and how it rejuvenated nature. An unexpected consequence.

5.  Domestic versus wildlife. Chloe was determined to let the Hare stay in as wild a Habitat as possible while she protected it. She was determined not to make it a pet.

6. The impact that the relationship with the Hare had on Chloe

7. And, finally, nature versus humans. 

Everyone enjoyed the book, and it rated 4.15 and two, "I liked it very much." 

We decided, for September's book club, we would take a day trip to the Paper Pages bookstore in Crescent. It will be an easy and pleasant drive to include lunch and whatever else we might get up to. 

Our remaining dates for 2026

June 7 - Diana will host our discussion of "Travels with Charley: In Search of America" by John Steinbeck.

July 12 - Barb will host our discussion of "One of Ours”by Willa Cather. 

Aug 2 - Janie will host our discussion of "We the Women," by Norah O'Donnell. 

Sept 12- will be a Saturday day trip to Paper Pages Bookstore in Crescent. We will discuss Mona's Eyes. 

Oct. 4 - our host will be Carla G

Nov 1 - our host will be Arnora

Dec 6 - we will have our traditional Christmas party and discussion at Laura's. 

April Book Club 2026

 

Welcome to April's Book Club hosted by Carla G. We missed Pam this month. 

To our great delight and surprise, Laura, with the help of her daughter, Megan, had used AI to create a wall of pencil portraits of all our members! It was beautiful and emotional. Carla G and Laura were already there. Carla A and I were the next to discover the wall over the coffee maker. Then, we got to watch everyone else discover it as they came in. We got to take our beautiful portraits home. 

The food was amazing as always. Carla G made a Portuguese chicken, and Laura
used the same marinade for the roasted potatoes. For appetizers, we had cheeses, nuts, and fruit, and lemon cake for dessert. Lis and Diana brought Port in honor of Theo, and Arnora brought the beautiful floral bouquet. 

This month's book is Theo of Golden. This book has been getting a lot of great buzz, and Pam recommended it. Written by Allen Levi, the story is about a mysterious, kind stranger named Theo who arrives in the city of Golden, Georgia. Theo begins a mission to buy 92 pencil portraits from a local coffee shop and return them to their subjects. In the process, Theo makes friendships and changes lives with his generosity. Themes explored: Anonymous kindness, wonder, and the power of small, attentive acts. Everyone loved the book, and it received a rating of 5. Carla A loved it so much she actually gave it a number this time! 

Our book for May is Raising Hare, and we will meet at Denise's. 

March Book Club 2026

 

In Memory of

Jacob Tipton

Book Club this month takes on a somber atmosphere as we mourn the loss of Jacob Tipton, son and brother of Tammy, Randall, and Lily. We know that there are no great words of wisdom at a time like this. But what matters is that we show up for each other.  I experienced that with my recent illness and recovery. We show up in the good and the hard times. It doesn't change the circumstances, but it eases the pain to know that we are held in the arms of people who care. I felt that every hug we exchanged was a hug for Tammy by proxy. I look forward to seeing her soon so that we can hug her in person. 

285 Books, 278 Meetings, 23 Retreats/Outings, 221 Blogs 

March Book Club hosted by Arnora was the first time in several months that all of our local members were

in attendance!  Arnora made her delicious "comfort" meatballs and incredibly rich and tasty mashed potatoes. Carla G brought a green salad and Maple Grove Balsamic Dressing. The dressing was very popular. Carla A brought Brussels Sprouts, and Laura brought Strawberry Shortcake. Lis brought a really soft and yummy bread. 

We ate first, and then we did a craft project to send to Tammy. Barb had the idea from our retreat last summer at Tammy's lodge. Our book was "Other Birds," and we made bird mobiles. Barb saved the pattern. We made the birds out of white and gray cardstock to emulate the Mourning Dove, and everyone wrote quotes and prayers for the family, and we embellished them with ribbon. Lis also had a card for her that we all signed. Barb is putting it all in the mail to her. We had Aperol Spritz and a couple of bottles of wine. Arnora, who always brings the flowers, had three bouquets for us. One was flowers from Stan, and another from a casino night. All of them brought in some Spring!

Our book was "The Correspondent," by Virginia Evans, an epistolary novel. The protagonist is a retired, divorced lawyer in her 70s. Sybil von Anrwerp's life is told through correspondence with friends, family, famous authors, and even a customer service rep she befriends. There are themes of aging, forgiveness, finding connection, leading to personal transformation through personal loss, and seeking reconciliation. Everyone enjoyed the book, and it received a 4.4 rating. 

Carla G is hosting on April 12. We moved this month's meeting due to Easter. Our book for April is Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. May's book is Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton. 

February Book Club 2026

 

Happy Galentine's Day 

(And Groundhog Day)

February 2026

284 Books, 277 Meetings, 23 retreats/outings, 220 Blogs

Welcome to the February Book Club hosted by Pam.  We had a small group this month, and happy that Leslie was able to join us. We missed Janie, Denise, Laura, and Carla G. Diana joined us for the discussion via FaceTime.  Pam and Carla A made an Italian Wedding Soup, Carla A brought a Greek salad, I brought crusty bread, Barb brought an Italian Cream Wedding Cake, and Lis brought beignets. Arnora brought flowers and an Aperol Spritz. The menu was themed to weddings in honor of the book. That it was Italian was just a happy accident. We also got to meet Pam's new puppy, "Birdie." 

The Wedding People by Alison Espach is a novel about Phoebe Stone, a woman who arrives alone at a lavish Newport wedding weekend after her husband informs her he wants a divorce. Feeling despondent, she puts on her nicest dress and takes all the savings she had planned to spend on fertility treatments to an expensive Inn in Newport, RI, where she spends $800 for one night. The book is described as a "dark comedy" because Phoebe has decided she doens't want to live. She has brought her cats' pain medication with the intention of taking it after a nice dinner. But, upon arrival, she meets the bride and forms an unexpected bond with her, leading to humorous and tender revelations about grief, connection, and new beginnings. The book blends dark comedy and domestic fiction, exploring serious themes like depression and loss through a chaotic wedding. It was a 2024 Goodreads Choice Award winner for fiction. Everyone enjoyed the story, and the book received a rating of 4.14.

Arnora is our host for March, and our book is The Correspondent. Carla G is hosting in April, and the book is Theo of Golden. 

Other books for consideration are:

All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whittaker

Mona's Eyes by Thomas Schlesser

Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

January Book Club 2026

January 2026

24 years, 283 Books, 276 Meetings, 23 retreats/outings, 219 Blog Posts

Happy New Year 2026

We met at Lis' home for our annual PJs and Nighttime Breakfast. Carla A co-hosted. We've been experiencing unseasonably warm weather since just before Christmas. We set a high of 78 for Christmas Day.

Diana wisely stayed home to avoid catching the flu, but joined us via FaceTime. She very much enjoyed being included in the discussion. Janie was at home recovering from the flu. Pam was returning from a trip. We missed them. 

Lis made sausage gravy with biscuits and a fruit pancake bake. Carla A made a quiche with bacon, and Barb made a quiche with broccoli. Laura brought hash browns, Denise brought scones with lemon curd, and Carla G brought yogurt and fruit parfaits. Arnora brought fresh flowers. We had hot tea nd coffee, OJ and champagne, Sav Cab, Butter Chardonnay, and Merlot

We started our 2026 Reading List with Miss Morgan's Book Brigade by Janet Skeslien Charles. This book brings us once again into the sphere of J. P Morgan and the Morgan Library. Two years ago, in January 2023, Lis also hosted our book club, and we discussed The Personal Librarian. That book was about Belle de Costa Green and the major impact she had on the Morgan Library. 

Jessie Kit Carson

This story involves J. P. Morgan's daughter, Anne, and her volunteer efforts to run libraries in France during WWI. It is a historical novel set in 1918 and 1987.  Based on the true story of Jessie "Kit" Carson, who is recruited by Anne in 1918 to work with the American Committee for Devastated France, or CARD. Wendy Peterson was an aspiring writer in 1987, in New York during the Cold War. She discovers Jessie's story in the archives of the New York Public Library and decides to write a book about her. She is also trying to uncover what happened to Jessie after the war. The book explores themes of female solidarity, sacrifice, and the power of literature.  Kit Carson rehabilitated four libraries devastated by the war and began training young French women in American librarianship practices. She is credited with making lasting changes in French libraries, particularly by extending services to children who had not traditionally been served by French libraries. 

Anne Morgan and Anne Murray Dike 

Anne Morgan was the daughter of J. P. Morgan. She used her wealth to support relief efforts in France during both World War I and World War II. Among her many awards, she was the first American woman appointed a commander of the French Legion of Honor. Her former home is now the residence of the Uni

ted Nations Secretary General. 

Anne Murray Dike was from Scotland and trained as a physician. She kept impeccable records of CARD and made sure every penny donated went to women and children in need. She was awarded the Croix de Guerre and was the first woman elected to the French Academy of Agriculture. She and Anne were companions until she died in 1929.

Mary Breckinridge

Mary Breckinridge, Founder of the Frontier Nursing Service and a pioneer of nurse-midwifery. She worked with CARD, caring for infants, children, and mothers on the brink of starvation and poverty. 

The book received a rating of 4 stars, with one reviewer saying they "really, really liked it."

Pam will host in February, and our book is The Wedding People. Arnora will host in March, the book is The Correspondence. Carla G will host in April, the book is Theo of Golden. Denise will host in May, book to be determined. 

Other books for consideration:

1. All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whittaker

2. Mona's Eyes by Thomas Schlesser

3. Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria, Christopher Murray

4. The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom 

5. Theo of Golden by Allen LeviThe Correspondent