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.