Last night, a great many of us turned out for the last of the Season 5 and the beginnings of Season 6 at Renee's. We started by discussing Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. Oh my little apples, it is a mighty book. It's a complicated one to describe, but it is simply a story about a brilliant spy and a very brave pilot and their friendship. It is about that terrible, terrible war and the many ways it ruined lives and took loved ones away. Those of us who read it seemed to be awed by Ms. Wein's storytelling even if it took us a while to get into it. We all agreed, I think, that it's a hard book to get into, but it is very worth the time it takes. There are few books who have a pay-off as heavy and hard-hitting as this one does.
It was a strong finish to a super year. Yes, we all suffered through Sister(b)land back in February...but that was the month Jenny Buckley told us the tale of falling in love with Peter. We stomached and rolled our eyes at the cheesy, over-the-top Sidney Sheldon novel (complete with an evil-twin) too. But this was the year that brought us Harold Frye and his stupid boat shoes but a heart full of hope. And Life After Life and Little Wolves. Night Circus too. Other highlights:
Katie G- FFBC's 2014-2015 MVP...and I know there is more I'm forgetting. What great fun this book club is. What a great year!
Sandra Mortenson- Best Host
Shelley's break-up story
Annemarie's text
Heather's closure therapy quote
Jenny Buckley falling in love (I love love even more than I love hope)
Jennifer Malecha came to our Book Club!
And I have a feeling Year 6 is going to be even better! Sending this out with so much gratitude for my book-club friends. Sharing these books and all of your stories make me very, very happy. I love you all.
Let's get to it! Here is a link to a Google Doc with all the info you need and a screen shot from the page. I'm sorry, Renee, The Hobbit didn't make the list this year. Maybe next year.
