November 30, 2025 The Invention of Wings (Caitlin’s Pick)

Discussion: Caitlin- I enjoyed this book. Didn’t read the description before starting. Didn’t love the politics, but that’s because I’m just not politics. Did learn a lot about the time. 4/5 WR/WRA Jocelyn- I’m glad that 9 years later I still enjoyed this tale. I love her vocabulary and writing style. To know the main characters were real women fighting for the equal rights of humans makes it even better. I love to learn the politics of long ago in places foreign to me. 4/5 WR/ WRA Julie- I really loved this book. Story was based on two amazing women. I can never understand human cruelty. The story balanced the characters well. Loved the authors note. 4.5/5 WR/WRA Ali- Thought it was a good book. The story could have been a lot different if Sarah had kept Hetty. 4/5 WR/WRA Favorite Characters: Caitlin- Handful Jocelyn- Nina/Mauma/Goodis Julie- Nina Ali- Hetty Balance $$$- $532.57 It’s the J month, Jocelyn and Julie don’t pay. 😊 Next Book: The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride 400pgs Next club @ Jocelyn’s House December 20th 12:00 Hostess Beverage: Cider tasting. Announcements: Ali’s White Elephant Party is 12/14

December 20, 2024 The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store (Jocelyn’s Pick)

Discussion: Jocelyn- I loved this book. So many characters and so much history. At first, I wasn’t sure if I was becoming overwhelmed with so much description, but in the end when everything tied together it was needed. Great depiction of what was happening on the east coast in the 1930s. 4/5 WR/WRA Julie- Intrigued by the cover. This book is strange. So many descriptions, back stories confused me, and it took to long to tie together. Wouldn’t have finished if it wasn’t a club book. 3/5 WRTC/WNRA Caitlin- I didn’t like it at first. The writing style drove me nuts. Run on sentences forever. Once I was invested, I really did love this book. Too many runoff stories though. 4/5 WR/WRA Ali- Fastest I’ve ever read a book in my life. I really enjoyed it. I was a little discouraged in the beginning but then it hooked me. The end could have been more detailed. 4/5 WR/WRA Favorite Characters: Jocelyn- Chona Julie- Dodo and Monkey Pants Caitlin- Monkey Pants and Dodo Ali- Dodo, Monkey Pants and Miggy Balance $$$- $572.61 Next Book: Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah 416pgs Next club @ Julie’s House January 26th 11:00 (brunch potluck w/ morning hot tub) Hostess Beverage: Coquito – Coconut Rum Yum (eggnog without the egg) Announcements: Jocelyn- Cypress is heading to Costa Rica Julie- IUD is there, not pregnant. YAY!! Chris will snip. Ellie getting spayed next month. Caitlin- Driving to L.A. on Monday, first baby adventure. Ali- Going to Tennessee next month. Working on buying a house in 2025.

October 19, 2024 Under Dark Skies (Ali’s Pick)

Discussion: Ali- This was a very disappointing book. Had good potential but was poorly done. Way too wordy. Could have been 200pgs shorter. Pained me to read. WNR/WNRA 2/5 Julie- First thought, free books=bad books. Cheesy and lame. Annoyed me from the start. Why was there so much food talk? WNR/WNRA 2/5 Caitlin- I did not like this book and don’t really have anything to say. From the get-go it sucked. None of the characters were interesting. WNR/WNRA Jocelyn- Hated!!! An FBI profiling book but could have used a bit of mystery. Not the “mystery” of their gifts, which wasn’t even a mystery. The never-ending repeating of their life struggles is what broke me. Just SO dumb. WNR/WNRA 1/5 Favorite Characters: Ali- Wade Julie- Donovan as a wolf Caitlin- None Jocelyn- None Balance $$$- $512.53 Next book: The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd 400pgs Next club @ Caitlin’s House November 30th 12:00 Hostess Beverage: Blood Orange Sangria Announcements: Caitlin- Starting to have a bloody baby right now.

September 9, 2024 The Women (Julie’s Pick)

Discussion: Julie- Love this author, however this one fell short. Enjoyed the writing style. First half great, second half flat. Depressing. Got annoyed with the main character. Rushed ending. WR w/warning. WRA only her older stuff though. 3/5 Caitlin- I enjoyed the book. Parts I didn’t like but liked the action. Her writing style is easy to read which I like. The story was always changing. Thought provoking. WR/WRA. 4/5 Jocelyn- Unfortunately I hated this book. The beginning started off good, but I was already noting the never-ending repeating by page 100. then every turn was so predictable. This one really fell short for me. WNR/MRA. 2.5/5 Ali- Overall liked the book. Didn’t like the main character but got why she was the way she was. Good descriptions. Brought up a lot of emotions. AHR/MRA. 4/5 Favorite Characters: Julie- Barb Caitlin- Barb Jocelyn- Barb and Henry Ali- Barb Balance $$$- 472.49 Next book pick: Under Dark Skies by AJ Scudiere 444pgs Next club @ Ali’s House October 19th 12:00 Hostess Beverage: Moscow Mules. YUM! Announcements: Ali’s Party is 10/26/24 @ 2:00 Ali wants Halloween decorations for her birthday.

August 17, 2024 Stone Blind (Jocelyn’s Pick)

Discussion: Jocelyn- The story was fun, but overall lacking Medusa. Super disappointing! Did love the take on Perseus being a little bitch. MR/MRA. 3/5 Ali- Was very entertained because this was a different spin on the old tale. Made me realize how pathetic the gods of Olympus were. Liked the portrayal of Medusa. WR/WNRA 4/5 Caitlin- Enjoyed, easy to read. But never really sucked into it. Also, very confusing with the constant story jumping. Didn’t like the short stories with the objects. WNR/WNRA 3/5 Julie- I wanted to like this book. I like Greek mythology but found the writing style annoying. Didn’t enjoy the characters talking to the reader. How can this book claim to be about Medusa with all the side stories? WNR/WNRA 2.5/5 Favorite Characters: Jocelyn- Sthenno and Euryale. Ali- Gorgon Sisters including Medusa. Caitlin- Gorgon sisters Julie- Athene Balance $$$- $432.46 all paid. Book Pick The Women by Kristin Hannah 480pgs Next club @ Julie’s House September 21st 4:00 Next possible club date October 19th Hostess Beverage: Micheladas and Hop Water Announcements: Discuss new anniversary date. Ali’s pumpkin party Oct. 26th

July 20, 2024 438 Days (Caitlin’s Pick)

Discussion: Caitlin- Really enjoyed this book. Didn’t like the interview perspective. Would have liked it told through his own perspective. WR/WNRA. 4/5 Ali- Didn’t love the book completely. Lots of repeating and stretched out. Could have been shorter. WRC/WNRA. 2.5/5 Jocelyn- This tale of survival is insane. The writing style I did not love. So much repeating, could have been 100 pages shorter. Did make for great conversation with others. WRC/MRA. 3/5 Julie- First thoughts- intrigued. The story seemed unreal. Glad he never gave up and adapted to life at sea. Really enjoyed this read. AR/WRA. 4/5 Favorite Characters: Caitlin- Alvaranga Ali- Pancho Jocelyn- Pancho Julie- Pancho Balance $$$- $392.43 all paid. Book pick- Stone Blind by Natalie Hayes 384pgs Next club @ Jocelyn’s House August 17th 12:00 Bring your own food, beverages provided. Hostess Beverage: Pineapple Nojitos 😊

June 30, 2024 Malas (Ali’s Pick)

Discussion: Ali- Enjoyed this book. Not my typical pick. Realized growing up in the 90’s we were wild. Kind of a long build up. Not sure I liked the end. WR/WRA 4/5 Jocelyn- Overall it wasn’t too bad. Love reading about different cultures. The music scene was my favorite part. I could tell it was a debut novel while reading. Lots of choppy parts. MR/WRA 3/5 Julie- Wanted to like it, but it fell short. Started strong but lost me with way too many descriptions. I felt like why keep reading, I know what’s going to happen. Ending was dumb! MR/WNRA 2.5/5 Caitlin- Started hating Lulu as soon as she wanted to kill a puppy. Wanted the witch curse to be the story. Wanted to like it, but just didn’t. WNR/ WNRA. 2.5/5 Favorite Characters: Ali- Ernie, Romi and Richo Jocelyn- Romi Julie- Marina Caitlin- None Balance $$$- $352.43 all paid. Book pick- 438 Days by Jonathan Franklin 289pgs Next club @ Caitlin’s House June 20th 11:00 Next club date August 17th River Club! Flights- Still to be decided. Alanis Morissette concert is August 7th. Flights: Mexican Appetizers Ali- Street Corn Flatbread Jocelyn- Churro Cheesecake Julie- Turkey Stuffed Jalapenos Caitlin- Shrimp Tostada Bites Announcements: Ali- Rocking my driveway. Got my first paycheck. Jocelyn- Had a great vacation! Cy going to Hawaii. Julie- I have a puppy and she weighs 14lbs already. Building a fence. Caitlan- My baby is the size of a Chinchilla. My house sucks, but it’s going to be great someday.

June 8, 2024 The Wilder Women (Julie’s Pick)

Discussion: Julie- Had high expectations, let down a bit. Could relate with the mom daughter part of the story. Emotionally flat. WRC/WNRA. 3/5 Caitlin- Had high hopes but was beyond disappointed. How can this be the same author? All the characters sucked! The ending was SO horrible! WNR/WNRA. 1/5 Ali- This book was something else. Could have been good but fell short. Transitions were not smooth. Very irritating overall. Ending was dumb. WNR/WNRA 2.5/5 Jocelyn-UGH! This book was terrible. Was it my head space? NO, it was just awful. I had to force feed it. Could be a fun way to head out on a road trip- just follow my feelings. WNR/MRA. .5/5 Favorite Characters: Julie- Finn Caitlin- None Ali- Ersula star, Myron and Joel Jocelyn- Myron and Joel Balance $$$- $312.41 all paid Book pick- Malas by Marcela Fuentes 381pgs Next club @ Ali’s House June 30th 12:00 Next possible date July 20th Flights- Mexican Apps Flights: Julie- Greens w/ Walnuts, Feta and Spinach Salad Caitlin- Peach Tomato Burrata Salad Ali- Tortellini Sausage Vegi Pasta Salad Jocelyn- Beet Ricotta Pistachio Salad Announcements: Julie- Getting a puppy in 5 days. Caitlin- My baby is the size of a prairie dog. Halfway there. Ali- Drama is healing from surgery. Jocelyn- Leaving on two-week road trip.

May 18, 2024 The Island of Sea Women (Jocelyn’s Pick)

Discussion: Jocelyn- I really enjoyed this book. I learned so much more about the history of Korea. I knew nothing of the Haenyeo before this. A little run on at times, but beautifully written. Would recommend. WRA 4/5 Julie- Excited to read. Good book. I had no idea any of the history of the South Pacific. Loved the woman. Would recommend. WRA 4/5 Caitlin- Enjoyed the book. Went through emotional fluxuations. Interesting to learn Korea history. Ending was boring. Would recommend. WRA 3.5/5 Ali- Good book. Liked learning along the way. The war portions were long winded. The end should have been longer. Would recommend. WRA 3.5/5 Favorite Characters: Jocelyn- Jan-bu, Mija and Joon-Lee Julie- Do-Seang Caitlin- Jan-bu Ali- Grandmother Balance $$$- 272.39 All Paid Book pick- The Wilder Women by Ruth Emmie Lang 326pgs Next club @ Julie’s House June 8th 3:30 Next possible club date June 30th 12:00 Flights- Salads Flights: Jocelyn- Crème Brulé w/berries Julie- Cootie Cups Caitlin- Caprese Salad Ali- Bruschetta’s (strawberry cheese/ cucumber dill/ classic) Announcements: Jocelyn- Cypress got another tattoo. Julie- Getting a puppy on 6/16 Caitlin- My baby is an onion now. My house is torn apart. Ali- Got a tattoo, Drama has cancer and had a great time in Hawaii.

April 14, 2024 Oryx and Crake (Caitlin’s Pick)

Discussion: Caitlin- Disappointed. Way to philosophical. Didn’t get exciting till the end. Wanted to hear more about the Crakers. Would not recommend. WRA. 2.5/5 Ali- Had this book on my shelf cause of Jake. Love post-apocalyptic, but this fell short.Want to read the other one, but it would be a waste of my time. Could have been great. Humans are assholes. Would not recommend. WRA. 4/5 Julie- WTF! What is this book even about? Annoying that this book only explains things in the last 70 pgs. So dumb! Would not recommend. WNRA. 1/5 Jocelyn- This book had potential, but it was lost along the long long way. Written in the same style as her other novels. Long and drawn out. Easy read but boring. Would not recommend. WNRA 3/5 Favorite Characters: Caitlin- The girls that got banged by the three dudes. Ali- Johnny’s mom Julie- None Jocelyn- None Balance $$$- $232.37 Everyone paid, but Caitlin (bday) Book pick- The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See 383pgs Next club @ Jocelyn’s House May 18th 12:00 Flights- Any dish but must have four colors minimum. Flights: Stuffed Stuff Caitlin- Avocado Eggs Ali- Turkey Feta Meatballs w/ Tzatziki Sauce Julie- Sausage Cheese Jalapenos Jocelyn- Strawberry Cream Cheese Croissant French Toast Announcements: Caitlin- It’s a girl! Ali- Florida was amazing! Going to buy a house there. Going to Hawaii in May. Julie- Chris got his old job back Jocelyn- Sotero working for Green Builders. Cypress turned 21.

Amazon First Reads this month has Tiger Chair- A short story written by Max Brooks (Devolution the bigfoot book we read)

Thought this was cool; This is Amazon's Free first read this month. This is the Author of Devolution which we liked about the Bigfoots. Tiger Chair by Max Brooks (It's a short story)

March 2, 2024 From a Buick 8 (Ali’s Pick)

Discussion: Ali- Disappointing! Not King’s best book. Waiting for something to happen. Boring story. Overly wordy and longer than it needed to be. Would not recommend. WRA 2.5/5 Caitlin- Even the name is stupid. Did not enjoy this book. It just drawled on and on. Too much description. Hated Dillon part. Just not my jam. Would not recommend. WRA 2/5 Julie- SK is not my favorite author. (Childhood trauma). The way he writes annoys me. Have to keep rereading to understand him. Boring! Nothing happens. Already recommend (to mother out of spite). Would rather not have to read another by author. 2.5/5 Jocelyn- This book was just dumb! I judged a book by its cover and I was right. Felt like the same King story I’ve already read five times. Disappointingly lacking scary creepy vibes. Would not recommend. WRA 1/5 Favorite Characters: Ali-Mr. Dillon Caitlin- Curt Julie- Curt Jocelyn- Curtis Balance $$$- $202.34? Book pick- Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood 400pgs Next club @ Caitlin’s House April 14th 12:00. Flights to be announced. Flights: Ali- Mississippi Pork Sliders Caitlin- Turkey Hummus Sliders Julie- Teriyaki Chicken Sliders Jocelyn- Apple Pie Sliders Announcements: Ali- Going to Florida this month. Caitlin- PREGNANT!! And gave Auntie sweaters. 😊 Julie- Bullied neighbors into taking down their hazardous trees. Jocelyn- Cy went back the cute bitch Zoe. Sotero started at Green Builders.

February 10, 2024 Cloud Cuckoo Land (Julie’s Pick)

Discussion: Julie- I loved the adventure of this book. Hard at first, but then I became invested. Like the authors writing style. Every circle was connected by the end. Would recommend. WRA 4.5/5 Caitlin- I thought it was alright. Jumped around too much, but I got used to it. Loved all the owl facts. Would recommend. WRA 3.5/5 Ali- I didn’t like the beginning because I was distracted. First half was like WTF. Kept feeling like I was missing something. Long winded and jumpy. Ended up not hating it. Would not recommend. WRA 3/5 Jocelyn- I absolutely loved the book! The beginning was a bit confusing, but by round two of character stories it was rolling. Every chapter/character change I wanted to read. Loved that one tale carried through time and effected so many lives. Already recommended. WRA 4.5/5 Favorite Characters: Julie- Anna Caitlin- Konstance Ali- Tree, Moonlight, Seymore and Zeno Jocelyn- Omeir and Konstance Balance $$$- $162.34. Ali’s birthday club/no pay. Book pick- From a Buick 8 by Stephen King 496pgs Next club @ Ali’s House March 2nd 12:00. Flights to be announced. Flights: Julie- Chicken Tortilla Soup Caitlin- Lemon Zucchini Soup Ali- Cheddar Broccoli Soup Jocelyn- Chicken Vegetable Gnocchi Soup Blind Date Books given by Ali 😊

December 30, 2023 The Chain (Jocelyn’s Pick)

Discussion: Jocelyn- Definitely fast-paced thriller starting on page one. Disturbing concept. Left me questioning what I would do in that situation. Hated the predictable ending. Would not recommend. MWRA 3/5 Julie- Really scared to read this book. Fast pace but felt like torture. I love and hate this book. Junk food, felt like a movie. Liked the short chapters. Already recommended. WNRA 3/5 Caitlin- Silly. Couldn’t be pulled off today. Didn’t feel connected to the characters. So much of the story was obvious. Writing was abrupt. Would not recommend. WNRA 2.5/5 Ali- Messed up concept. Enjoyed the fast pace. Creepy about social media. Kept my attention but the end was jumpy. Already recommended. WNRA 3/5 Favorite Characters: Jocelyn-Kylie Julie- Pete Caitlin- Kylie and Steward Ali- Pete and Kylie Balance $$$- $132.33. All paid Book pick- Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr 637pgs Next club @ Julies House February 10th 12:00. Soup Flights 😊 Ali’s B-Day club. Announcements: Jocelyn- Sotero got a real job. Julie- None Caitlin- Had surgery. Ali- Lost 30lbs. Lots of tattoos in my future.