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

August 10, 2025 Project Hail Mary (Caitlin’s Pick)

Discussion: Caitlin- I liked this book, however it made me feel dumb. Descriptions were too math heavy and too long. Lots of silly science stuff that didn’t make sense. Didn’t like the ending. WRTC/SWRA. 3.5/5. Fav- Rocky Jocelyn- This book has been on my list to read for so long. Couldn’t be more disappointed. Math talk was over the top. It made it hard to visualize. I preferred the Earth story to the space story. Had the been done before feeling. WNR/MRA. 2/5. Fav- Taumoeba Ali- I liked the book. Didn’t mind all the science talk cause I just skimmed over it. I liked the dialog between Grace and Rocky. Liked the Earth/Space story split. Didn’t mind the ending cause it wasn’t too happy. WR/MRA (if not in space). 3.5/5. Fav-Stratt and Rocky. Julie- Hated it! Did not want to read this. Had high hopes, but then it kept getting worse. Cheesy and dumb. Disappointing overall and the ending sealed the deal. WNR/WNRA (unless forced in club). 2/5. Fav- Stratt Balance $$$: $40.00. Everyone paid Next book- Solito by Javier Zomora 416pgs Next Club- September 14th @ Jocelyn’s House. Potluck Brunch 11:00 Brunch: Breakfast Casserole/ 3 Chicken Sausage options/ Roasted Potatoes/ Fruit Salad/ Brie and Crackers/ Cosmos Announcements: Caitlin- Foot is healing Jocelyn- Sotero might pop the question to Kayla. Painting begins. Ali- Going to Florida with Justin. Drama is on the decline and it’s killing me. Julie- Like my class of 32 kids. Ayla got her ears pierced and has loose teeth. Mason is a junior in high school.

July 7, 2025 NOS4A2 (Ali’s Pick)

Discussion: Ali- Disappointed! It could have been a good book, but I was over it at page 300. Way too wordy. Descriptions took forever. WNR/MRA. 2/5. FC- Lou Julie- I only saw similarities to Stephan King books. Does he have any of his own thoughts? I did keep my attention, and it was disturbing. Hated the end! AR (but only to my mother)/WNRA. 2.5/5 FC- Fat Lou, not new Lou Caitlin- First thought was great, another shitty haunted car book. Too many random jumpy parts. I suffered through this. Hated the book! WNR/WNRA. 1/5. FC- None Jocelyn- There was SO much I hated about the book. If I hadn’t known, it was Joe Hill I would have thought I was reading one of his dad’s books. I went in blind and was instantly annoyed. I did like the disturbing descriptions, and it was an easy read. WNR/WNRA. 2/5. Fav- Hooper (the dog) Balance $$$: Blowing our funds at our anniversary celebration right now! Next book- Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir 476pgs Next Club- August 10th at Caitlin’s House. Potluck Brunch 😊 Anniversary Shenanigans: Tipsy Putt and three bar stops.