Clubbing in January -- Part 2

Overbooked members ventured into Middle-earth to kick off their second year of book discussions with The Hobbit by J R R Tolkien. The classic tale follows its hero, Bilbo Baggins, as he sets out on an adventure with thirteen militant dwarves who are searching to reclaim their treasure from Smaug, the dragon. As they continue to encounter dangers and challenges, Bilbo learns about himself and life outside his safe little hole. This is a story that can be read over and over, while getting something new out of it every time. The discussion group thoroughly enjoyed it and gave a strong 4.5 rating to this classic. 

Young Soul Readers discussed I'm the Girl by Courtney Summers for their January selection. Georgia Avis might only be sixteen years old, but she has high hopes of escaping the poverty she was born into. Her dreams of the beautiful life she thinks she deserves are interrupted when she discovers the dead body of another teen. Georgia teams up with the victim's sister, Nora, to solve the crime and the two find themselves in a world of immense wealth and privilege. While she's witnessing all she thought she ever wanted, she also learns the dangers that can accompany such a lifestyle. The discussion group enjoyed the book and gave it a solid 3.7 rating. 

The Readers discussion group chose a fantasy for their first discussion of 2024. The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alex E. Harrow follows January Scallar as she grows from a young ward of Mr. Locke, who is aptly named since he basically locks her away when he learns of her special powers to see doors to other worlds. Encountering dangers and adventures behind each new door, January finds new purpose in her life as she waits to be reunited with her family, from whom Mr. Locke has desperately tried to keep her separated. The Readers found the concept of this novel intriguing and gave it a strong 4.33 rating. 
 

Clubbing in January -- Part 1

The Night Owls kicked off their 2024 discussions in January with Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sustanto. This comical first book in a series received a 3.2 out of five stars, meaning the majority of members liked it. Main character, Maddeline Chan finds herself in quite the predicament when her blind date ends up dead and her mother and aunties concoct a plan to dispose of the bodies. The Chans have a family wedding business, and they can't let a pesky dead body in their cooler throw a wrench into their success. While they try to figure out a solution to this farce, Maddeline runs into an old flame, which only complicates things more. Some discussion members liked the slap-stick comedy, likening it to a Weekend at Bernie's kind of situation, while other members thought a lot of it was just absurd and hard to believe ever happening. The aunties were definitely the highlight of the book. 

The Questers discussed The Last Lecture in January. Professor Randy Pausch was told he only had months to live when diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. While many teachers offer up inspirational words of wisdom in what is known as their last lecture, his was literally, his last opportunity to tell his students, his children, and the world what he had learned. In this book, the reader gets a glimpse into that lecture and the thoughts and actions behind his words. While the Questers found the book generally inspiring, some had a hard time reading it, as it hit a bit too close to home. Many members agreed that it could be read differently at different stages of life, and also thought it would make a great graduation gift. Overall, the group gave it 3.68 stars.

Once Upon a Crime members began a new year of discussions with Cat about Town by Cate Conte. It is the first novel in this cozy mystery series. When Maddie James opens a cat cafe, she is not prepared for one of her new feline friends to stumble upon the dead body of the town bully. She's gone from the cat-whisperer to the main suspect, while still managing to attract two eligible bachelors who are trying to woo her. This is the perfect read to curl up under a blanket and enjoy a touch of mystery, a touch of humor, and a touch of romance. The discussion group gave it a 3.7 rating.
 

The Readers -- December 20, 2023

 

The Readers met on December 20 to discuss The Boat of Dreams, A Christmas Story, by Richard Preston. The story, which was originally written for the author's friend who was dying of breast cancer, centers on the Foster family in a Maine lobster town. Sarah Ann and her two children, Will and Lila, live in a small trailer and are struggling to make ends meet. They have recently received news that Will Sr, has been lost in the Vietnam conflict and they are on the verge of losing their home. The children come home one day to find a grouchy, smelly old man in their trailer, whom they soon come to realize is actually Santa Claus. Due to a crash with the Hoover Dam, he will now need their help, as well as their father's boat, to deliver dreams for Christmas.

The group gave the book an overall rating of 3.17. While the book was void of the usual sweetness found in Christmas books, it was not overly uplifting either. It was confusing as to whether or not the author wanted us to believe that the stranger was Santa Claus or God. It was hard to picture Santa guzzling beer from a recliner while watching a soap opera. There were some touching moments in the book, like when the local fisherman refused to let the Foster family lose their boat, and when Lila gave up her favorite stuffed animal to another child, but all in all, it was just an ok read with an ending that felt like no more than a footnote.