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.