March 15, 2026 Wild Dark Shore (Julie’s Pick)

Discussion: Julie- So Disappointed. It was recommended by many people. Why would anyone like this book? It was just odd. The writing style was immature. WNR/WNRA. 2/5 Fav- Any of the animals Ali- This book was dumb. Jumpy writing style. It was trying to be mysterious, but everything was predictable. I felt pained to read. WNR/WNRA. 2/5 Fav- Orly (until the end) Caitlin- Overall I enjoyed this book. Parts of it I rolled my eyes, bit overall liked it. So many different writing styles made it a bit confusing. I liked the descriptions. Surprised you all hated it. WR/WRA. 305/5 Fav- Sea Lions Jocelyn- Another thriller that lost its way. It had potential but was ruined by predictable unrealistic romance that wasn’t needed. I loved the setting of the story and so much to learn about plants and animals. At least the ending was good. Dead! Dead! Dead! WNR/WNRA. 2/5 Fav- Orly $$$Balance: $292.07. All paid Next Book- Tender is the Flesh by Augastina Bazterrica 224pgs Next Club April 25th @ Ali’s House 12:00 Cocktails: Micheladas, Bloody Mary and Free IPAs Announcements: Julie- None Ali- C-pap experiments Caitlin- Going to Costa Rica Jocelyn- Keep on pedaling

April 25, 2026 Tender is the Flesh (Ali’s Pick)

Discussion: Ali- I aimed for disturbing and was finally satisfied. I thought it was thought provoking. Definitely a story for me. I could see this happening today. AHR/WRA. 3.5/5 Fav- Dad Caitlin- This is the worst book I have ever read in my whole life. Something is wrong with this author, I hate this book, it has made me a worse person for reading it. Writing style was choppy. Nothing made sense. WNR/WNRA. 0/5 (would give negative if I could) Fav- None Julie- Ugh Ali (eye roll)! Another virus book…. This is the worst book I have ever read. So disturbing. Really upset that the people in the book could believe. WNR/WNRA. 0/5 Fav- None Jocelyn- This was a zero satisfaction book. I felt sick to my stomach more than once and wrote I hate this book many times in my notes. The cannibalism plot could have been used, but this level of description seemed to be the point instead of actually having a story. WNR/WNRA. 1/5 (only because I looked up reviews). Fav- None $$$Balance: $328.09. Caitlin is Birthday free! Next Book- The Lion Woman of Tehran by Marjan Kamali 333pgs Next Club May 16th @ Caitlin’s House 12:00 Tentative Anniversary Date July 12th- Everyone provide five book titles for book pong. Cocktails: Long Drink over ice. Announcements: None

January 17, 2026 Heartwood (Jocelyn’s Pick)

Discussion: Jocelyn- Mixed feelings. Wasn’t expecting the deep dive into mother/daughter relationships. Took away from the thriller. I loved the descriptions of the AT. A few unnecessary chapters. Overall, it was just okay. WNR/WNRA. 3/5 Fav- Santo Julie- Eh, could have been better. Started strong with good potential, then became confusing. Too much extra dialog but did enjoy the short chapters. WNR/MRA 2.5/5. Fav- Santos Ali- The story was decent. Filler was annoying. I liked the AT parts and the different chapters. Too much back story. WR/WNRA. 3/5. Fav- Santos and Bev Caitlin- This book ended up really disappointing. Started good then went bad. The author must have mommy issues. I think I enjoythe writing style, but not the descriptions or dialog. WR/Ehh…WRA. 3/5. Fav- The dog Badger $$$Badger: $244.03. Ali is Birthday free! Next Book- Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy 307pgs Next Club February 28th @ Julie’s House 12:00. For Ali’s book pick we will be playing book pong. Everyone provide five book titles. Cocktails: Mimosas and Salads all around. Announcements: Jocelyn- Booked for Hawaii in May. Julie- Getting my bladder snatched. Ali- Got new supplemental job. No weed in 12 days. Caitlin- My period is a week early. I’m pissed.

December 27, 2025 Bloodsucking Fiends (Caitlin’s Pick)

Discussion: Caitlin- This book was totally silly and dumb. Felt rushed through at all parts. All f the characters were over the top. Hated the ending. WNR/WRA. 2/5. Fav- The Emperor Ali- Glad it was a quick and easy read. I wanted to like this book, but it felt rushed. Ending sucked. I liked the dialog, but it wasn’t funny. WNR/WNRA. 2/5. Fav- The Emperor and Bummer Jocelyn- This book was just so dumb. Made it hard to take notes. I was ready for funny, but never even chuckled. I liked it because it took place in S.F. WNR/WNRA. 2/5. Fav- Bummer and Lazarus Julie- Very disappointed because I like this author. Boring, the author was lazy. I wanted more with the other vampire. WNR/WNRA. 2.5/5. Fav- Iisha and the men $$$ Balance: $208.02 Next Book- Heartwood by Amity Gaige 316pgs Next Club- January 17th @ Jocelyn’s House Cocktails: Bloody Marys Announcements: Caitlin- Wonderful visit with my parents (with no power). Ali- Bad season. Said goodbye to Drama. Jocelyn- Cy’s home! 😊 Julie- Face is peeling. Suffering through for the beauty.

November 22, 2025 Born Survivors (Ali’s Pick)

Discussion: Ali- Very depressing. How could this go on for so long. I hate racists. It was long winded, could have been shorter. Still learned from it though. Loved the pictures. WRTCP/WNRA. 3/5. Fav- Prisca Julie- Difficult book to read. Cried so much. Really made me appreciate my life. Book was well written except for the repeating. Enjoyed the ending. WNR/WRA. 3.5/5. Fav- Prisca Jocelyn- Did not read the book. Caitlin- This book was really really sad. So many WTF moments. Cried so much. WNR/MRA. 3.5/5. Fav- Babies $$$ Balance: $160.01. Julie and Jocelyn birthday club. But Jocelyn paid so will be free at December club. Next Book- Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore 290pgs Next Club- December 27th, meet at Caitlin’s House for hike into HC 12:00 Cocktail: Bloody Mary Announcements: Ali- Ladies White Elephant on Dec 20th at 4:30 Jocelyn- Raven passed onto the other side. Cy coming home on Dec. 19th

October 19, 2025 Sunrise on the Reaping (Julie’s Pick)

Discussion: Julie- Overall a disappointment. Not a good club pick. I wanted more arena time. Repeating poetry inserts were annoying and not needed. WR only to Hunger Games fans/WNRA. 2/5 Fav- Ampert. Caitlin- Not impressed. If I hadn’t read the other books I wouldn’t have understood. I liked the arena, but still disappointed. The author seems burnt out. WNR/WRA 2/5. Fav- Lou Lou. Ali- Liked the story as a whole. More details in her other books. I always enjoy good back stories. Focused on politics too much. Ending was rushed. WR to young adults/WRA 3/5. Fav- Maysilee and Beete. Jocelyn- I didn’t enjoy this book. It was so whiny. That’s all Haymich did. Predictable. Basically, the same story as Hunger Games. I did like the mutts, but the arena was so rushed. Hated the poetry. WNR/WNRA 2/5. Fav- Maysilee and the Beeplant. Balance $$$: $136.0. Everyone paid Next Book- Born Survivors by Wendy Holden 400pgs Next Club- November 22nd @ Ali’s House 12:00 Cocktail: River Water…Eww Announcements: Julie- Hard times with Chris Caitlin- Zoey is turning 1 Ali- Ugh… Justin Jocelyn- Sotero and Kayla are engaged

September 14, 2025 Solito (Jocelyn’s Pick)

Discussion: Jocelyn- Wow! This story made me emotional the whole way. I couldn’t imagine sending my child on this journey alone. I loved the descriptions although at times it was repetitive. Spanish dialect was challenging at times. A story I’ll never forget. WRTCP/MRA 4/5. Fav-Javicito and Chino Julie- Did not like this book. Angry at his parents. Life was great in El Salvador. I wanted more info on why they left. Enjoyed the Spanish in the book. Tou read WNR/WNRA 2/5. Fav-Chino Caitlin- I enjoyed this book. Parts that were too much Spanish Kindle saved me. Some parts were choppy toward the end. How much was made up? WR/WRA 4/5. Fav- Chino Ali- I guess I’m desensitized because eI thought it would be a harder journey. Fleeing a good life…why? Overly descriptive. Coiuold have been 100 pages shorter. Learned a lot though. WR/WRA 3/5. Fav- Chino Balance $$$-?? Next book- Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins 419pgs Next Club- October 19th @ Hylands. Picinic club 10:00 Cocktail: Local Roots Watermelon Fresca Announcements: Zoey’s first birthday on 10/18 Ali’s Halloween party on 10/25