Hi there, friends! Well, summer is winding down and I bet school has started in many places. It has in our part of the world. It's still very hot, but August is usually hot for us. We look forward to fall coming and I look forward to reading a bit more in the 'spooky' section of mysteries or thrillers. As I've shared a bit, summer has been quite busy for us. My reading has kind of been all over the place, but it also seems to be settling down a bit. I did a bunch of re-reading this summer, but I also read some 'new-to-me' books as well. And I attended my three book groups regularly. Had a lot of fun with those!
So, here's the scoop on the last book group meetings I've participated in - all over the last couple of weeks. The first one is the 'Book Cafe' that I've mentioned a few times. This takes place at a local library where I volunteer a couple of days a week. It is for readers to come and talk about what they have been reading - no set book or genre to read. Just share what's been fun for you or not fun for you if you like. This last meeting had a couple of new people and they were interesting. The usual group talked about various genres - sci-fi, fantasy, non-fiction, romances, mysteries, thrillers - you get the idea. The new people had one gentleman who has pretty much spent his life reading science or non-fiction books and he has decided to try reading fiction. He is starting with John Grisham and asked if we had read any of those. Almost everyone had. Another new person was a lady who has been reading some Sarah Maas books at the recommendation of her daughter. Don't think this lady quite understands about series books because she didn't like the fact that the stories went on and on and on. Ha! Anyway, we gave her encouragement and also said that one doesn't have to read 'all' the books in the series if one doesn't want to. I shared about re-reading books and got a couple of laughs about 'too many books, not enough time'.
Next, I attended the Mystery Book Group that I love so much. We had a theme this month, so everyone read different things. It was fun to hear all the choices. The theme was books that included a hobby or pursuit or interest that you enjoyed. Some shared mysteries with yoga or genealogy or art history or creating art or sewing/knitting/crocheting as part of the story. Lots of cozy-type books were suggested. I did a re-read of the first book in Jenn McKinlay's Cupcake Bakery series, Sprinkle With Murder. There are 16 books in this series, but I haven't read all of them yet. It was fun and the setting of Scottsdale, AZ was familiar to me.
I also decided to try a couple of Nicole Maggi's National Park mysteries and use the 'National Parks' as my 'area of interest'. The first was A Murder In Zion, a park that we have not visited as yet. The second was Lost In Yellowstone, a park that we saw on vacation last year. While I didn't love every aspect of the books and the protagonist was a little angsty and emotional at times, I did really enjoy the settings of both books. The Yellowstone book made me laugh and nod my head and picture places that we visited and contained crazy people who don't want to listen to the park rangers at all. The main character is an investigator for the National Park Service and, of course, there are crimes/murders in both areas. Will I read on in the series? Yes, I will and I think the 3rd book will have a Death Valley setting, based on a hint at the end of the Yellowstone tale. The Mystery Book Group will be reading With A Vengeance by Riley Sager for September. I've already done a read/listen and will be interested in what others think.
OK, I know this post is getting a little long. The 3rd book group I attend is one I call the Afternoon Book Group. Both the mystery group and this one are at the branch library in Austin where I worked and volunteered for a long time. I had not read the August book, but I wanted to hear what others thought about it, so I attended. The book was A Far-Flung Life by M.L. Stedman. The discussion was quite interesting, but I'm not sure I will pick it up and try it. Several others had not read it either, but many had read the author's first book, The Light Between Oceans. I told the group that I had read the description and some reviews and learned that many thought A Far-Flung Life was quite emotional and a bit heavy. One lady said it was wonderful and not heavy. However, when she talked about her experience she said, 'it was quite heavy'. Ha! I said, different strokes at different times for each of us, right? I will be leading the discussion next month at this group's meeting and the selection is Lisa See's new book, Daughters Of The Sun And Moon. Have not read it yet, but will do so soon.
I'll leave you at this point and will just say that I am glad to be back sharing my reading. Have you read any of the books I mentioned above? Thoughts? Have you attended or been part of regular book groups at libraries or wherever? I'm sorry to say that I worry that these types of book events are beginning to not be as popular, regular, or available as they once were. Sigh. I hope they don't go completely away.
Have a good weekend!!
I've never had the best luck with book groups though I love the idea of them. My library has a few but I've never gotten it together enough to go to one of them. Lisa See is an author I haven't read but is on my author list for this year so I'm really looking forward to her books. I love the sound of the National Park series! I'll have to try it. That's funny about the woman not liking the story going "on and on". That's kind of the point though to be fair I do tend to avoid fantasy stories because the page count is typically pretty high and I don't want to make that time commitment.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, I do understand about getting involved in a book group at your library. Sometimes it just doesn't work for whatever reason. Anyway, I will definitely recommend Lisa See's books. Hope this new one will be good. She does her research and one always learns a lot - not always happy things, but important historical things. The Island Of Sea Women is one of my favorites. Will be interested if you are able to try the National Park series. I've found that there are several of those around - one I read most of several years ago by Nevada Barr. Her character, Anna Pigeon, is featured in a new TV adaptation on USA Network. We've watched a couple of episodes and I've liked it well enough, but my memory of the books if a bit better. Yes, maybe the lady that attended the group and didn't like series reading will find some standalone books that suit her better. Thanks for coming by!
DeleteI have been part of one book group for fifteen years. I was asked to join another group two years ago, and the next youngest person in that group is ten years older than me---they are such amazing readers. I also belong to our naturalist group's book club.
ReplyDeleteDeb, lovely that you've been part of a book group for 15 years. It's been over 18 years since the mystery book group began and 19 years for the afternoon book group. Amazing with the group you were invited to join that has 'older' readers. Good for them! Hope that's me. Have a good week!
DeleteSome of the most thoughtful readers are the young people who joined our old established book club on their own. I'm afraid the older folks book club will die out without the infusion of new, younger readers.
DeleteI totally get it, Deb. Happily, we have had some younger people join both the long-running groups that I attend and it's been fun to get their take on what they like. That book cafe group has mostly older people, but a few younger ones have visited. Think part of the deal is that unless the group meets in the evening, it's tough for people still working to get there.
DeleteIt's good to catch up with you on your blog. I used to belong to a book group but stopped going after a few years because sometimes it was just me and one or two others. I like the sound of the Yellowstone books as I watched the TV series a while back and then Kevin Costner's documentary series as well. They're the next best thing to visiting there myself. I read loads of John Grisham's books years ago and loved them, but I haven't read any of the other books you mention.
ReplyDeleteMargaret, thanks for coming by! Sorry your book group ended. I haven't watched the Yellowstone TV series, but I've heard good things about it. Have a good week!
DeleteI always enjoy hearing about your book clubs! I decided against reading A Far-Flung Life, but did enjoy The Light Between Oceans. Lisa See is usually a hit for me.I still have Lady Tan's Circle of Women waiting on my shelf. Maybe this fall? Also like the idea of a book club where every talks about their latest reads - guess there's no pressure to finish a book on time then!
ReplyDeleteThanks, JoAnn! I will admit that I do like talking about the groups I attend. I haven't read Circle of Women either, but look forward to it eventually. Yes, that book group where we talk about whatever we've been reading is actually more fun than I thought it would be. I've heard about a lot of different books! Have a good week!
DeleteYour book groups sound like fun. I started blogging about books and connecting with other book bloggers because I couldn't find a bookish group like that irl. And I wanted to talk books with other people who love reading as much as me. And most of my friends are 'too busy' to read much. Always fun to hear from you and what books you've been reading. :D Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThey are fun, Lark. I totally understand about wanting to talk with others about reading, etc. I think we all provide that for each other in the blogging world and many people are able to go to books in real time. Maybe one day you'll be able to find a group that will work for you. You have a nice week too!
DeleteYou belong to great sounding book clubs, Kay! A little bit of everything, right? I've been with my current group since 2017, but have missed a lot of meetings due to travel or health issues (Mom or Rod, not me). I'm losing interest in the group for various reasons, so I might stop going at the end of the year. We'll see.
ReplyDeleteI read and loved A Far-Flung Life. I know there's some subject matter that might bother readers, but overall, the story is excellent.
I have definitely enjoyed various book groups, both in our area here and when we were in Kerrville. They are all a little different though. I understand kind of losing interest in your group. I'm a bit on the fence with the afternoon book group, but will stick it out for this year and then we'll see. Good to know your thoughts on A Far-Flung Life.
DeleteThe Mystery Book Club seems to be holding it's own I think. Some people come and go but we seem to have a steady number. I wonder how a themeless group works? Apparently it does. And for me I don't care to read "heavy" books or with too much thought. I read to escape, I would say. I don't want too much reality. lol
ReplyDeleteI agree, Gayle, and I'm very happy about that. Getting some younger readers has been fun. I hear you on reading for escape and not too much reality!
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