Sunday, 3 November 2019

bookclub in the garden

This weekend we had bookclub in my daughter's garden.




















Oh, and I guess you are wondering about which books I shared . . .


'The Girl on the Page' by John Purcell was one book several of us had read over the past month. It's a behind the scenes look at the world of book publishing.

Amy Winston is a hard-drinking, bed-hopping, hot-shot young book editor on a downward spiral. And you can't help but love her.
In order to save her job, Amy is given the unenviable task of steering literary great Helen Owen back to publication. When Amy meets Helen & her husband they are conducting a silent war of wearing each other down, and Amy is about to meet challenges she has never before had to face.
I didn't want this book to end!



"The Unwanted Guest' by Shari Lapena was a book I'd ordered from the library ages ago, I was 500 out of 700 holds! So I'd waited a lo-o-ong time for this one.
Imagine - it’s winter in the Catskills and Mitchell’s Inn, nestled deep in the woods, is the perfect setting for a relaxing–maybe even romantic–weekend away. Then the weather takes a turn for the worst. And someone is murdered.

This book had a lot of similarities to an Agatha Christie or the cluedo game (the classic mystery game - "a grand mansion … a dastardly murder … a gathering of suspicious characters.WHO, with WHAT weapon and WHERE?").
It was very readable, I got hooked in and read it in no time.


I've also had a little run on easy lighthearted reading lately.
"The Bookish Life of Nina Hill" by Abbi Waxman was witty and whimsical. Nina feels her life is just how it should be. Organized (she had a daily planner), clutter free and filled with everything she enjoys! She works at a bookshop, plays trivia on a team with her friends, and comes home to her faithful cat Phil.

When a lawyer contacts her to tell her that her father has passed away and that she is in his will, Nina is stunned! She never knew her father, not even his name! Suddenly Nina is thrust out of her comfortable shell...


"The Overdue Life of Amy Byler" by Kelly Harms was another lighthearted read, featuring family dynamics, friendships and romance. And again, one that several of us at bookclub had enjoyed.

Overworked and underappreciated, single mom Amy Byler needs a break. So when her guilt-ridden husband, who abandoned her 3yrs ago, shows up and offers to take care of their two kids for the summer, she accepts his offer and trades rural Pennsylvania for New York City.
Usually well balanced, sensible and mild mannered, Amy finally lets her hair down in the city that never sleeps. She discovers a new life filled with culture, sophistication. With a little help from friends, she also has a few blind dates, and ends up facing an impossible decision.

Can't share anymore!


We had a young reader join us too, so sweet.


Until next time, Linda

4 comments:

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

What a beautiful place for your book club get together! I love seeing what you've been reading, too - I'll have to put a few of those on my list!

Ann said...

Wow. Such a good collection of books to read. Thanks. I just wish I had such a beautiful place to read and visit with friends. Congratulations to your daughter. She has her mother's green thumb.

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Hi Ann, Our book club runs a bit differently from others – we all read what we want, and then bring our recommendations back to the group.
If it’s a really good read and has captured everyone’s interest, we all then try to read it over the next month, and discuss it at the following meeting.
Yes, it really felt like summer had finally arrived here on Sunday!
My daughter’s back garden is delightfully messy, overrun now with trees & plants, and such a peaceful place to sit. Have a good week, Linda

Julie said...

I see a few of my recommendations there. Just requested The Girl on the Page, I have so many books due to arrive this week for me. Looks like such a fun book club and lovely setting. Pity I don't live closer.