May 16, 2026 The Lion Women of Tehran (Caitlin’s Pick)

Discussion: Caitlin- Disappointed. Felt bored at the end. Never had a climax. Hated the politics of the story but enjoyed the descriptions. Rushed ending. Overall, didn’t enjoy. WRTC/ WNRA. 2.5/5 Fav- Abdol Julie- First thought.. this has to be better then Tender is the Flesh. Loved the historical fiction. Enjoyed the first half of the book but then kept waiting for something to happen. Ending sucked. WR/PWRA. 3/5 Fav- Mehrdad Jocelyn- Another story anbout two friends torn apart by something and then reunited. The writing style had lots of repeating and the storyline was predictable. Loved the culture of this book. So much to learn! Loved the political history. WR/MRA. 3/5 Fav- Mehrdad Ali- Judged this book by its cover. Enjoyed the history of the culture. Hated the mom till the end. Descriptions were good but too dragged out. Overall enjoyed. WR/WRA. 3/5 Fav- Homa $$$Balance: $376.11 Next Book- Isola by Allegra Goodman 356pgs Next Club July 12th @ Trout Farm 10:30 Brunch. ANNAVERSARY CLUB!!!! Cocktails: Espresso Martini’s Announcements: Caitlin- Fucking raw…baby baby baby Julie- Chris and I are better than ever. Jocelyn- Hawaii was amazing and my heart is full. Ali- Midlife crisis has hit.

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