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.

December 2, 2023: The Girl with All the Gifts (Caitlin’s Pick)

Discussion: Caitlin- Enjoyed the book. Easy to read except for when there was science talk. Wasn’t as riveting as I expected. A confusing writing style. Would recommend. Might read another by author. 3.75/5 Jocelyn- This is the best zombie book I’ve read. Still not sure how believable the twist is but loved the end. Zombies for the win, first time I’ve heard of it. Loved the vocab! 4.5/5 Ali- I liked the vocab, lots of good words. Writing style was a bit choppy. Took a bit to get into it. Ending was surprising, but great. Already recommended. Already reading the next book. 4/5 Julie- Love zombie books, but felt the author lost the plot. Felt like the book was contradicting all the time. Hated the end. Would not recommend- too weird. Would not read another by author. 3/5 Favorite Character: Caitlin- Melanie and Gallagher Jocelyn- Melanie Ali- Parks Julie- Justineau Balance $$$- $92.33 Book pick- The Chain by Adrian McKinty 368pgs Christmas Club!! @ Jocelyn’s December 30th 12:00 Next club date possibly Jan 27th Ali White Elephant Party on December 16th Announcements: Caitlin- Having Surgery on 12/12 Jocelyn- Cypress and Zoe broke up. Ali- Got a new tattoo. Julie- Chris got a job. House is finalized!