Clubbing in March -- Part 2

 

The Questers discussed Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus in March. Set in the 1960s, this novel reminds readers of a time when women were not expected to excel at work, and if they did, they were supposed to allow their male counterparts to take the credit for their hard work. The main character, Elizabeth Zott, is a highly intelligent chemist who falls in love with Nobel Prize nominee Calvin Evans. Their quirky relationship works because they respect each other, even if no one else does. When tragedy strikes though, Elizabeth finds herself hosting a cooking show where she uses her genius to create recipes, as well as havoc among her female audience. 

The Questers enjoyed this book and found it had a nice balance between humor and more significant, though-provoking themes. The group gave the novel 3.8 stars.

The Young Soul Readers discussed The Final Six by Alexandra Monir in March. This is a futuristic novel focusing on brilliant teenagers being sent on a mission to establish a new colony on Jupiter's moon. Leo, a championship swimmer form Italy, and Naomi, an Iranian-American science genius, team up to save the human race from an already damaged Earth. As they train for a mission that literally holds the survival of the human race in the balance, the two grow together with a deep bond. Aware of a failed mission from the previous attempt, the two face the pressures of success, as well as figuring out who they can trust. This novel has readers on the edge of their seats. The Young Soul Readers gave this book 3.3 stars.

The Readers discussed The River by Peter Heller in March. Set on the Maskwa River in Canada, this adventure novel follows two friends, Wynn and Jack. They embark on what should be a relaxing wilderness experience where they look forward to unplugging from the world for a while. However, when a wildfire threatens their path, it turns into a fight for survival. 

The Readers found the book to be exciting and gave it a strong 3.45 rating. 

Clubbing in March -- Part 1

Once Upon A Crime members discussed And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie in March. This wildly popular mystery has stood the test of time, reaching new audiences with each passing decade. When ten strangers find themselves in an unfamiliar mansion, their curiosity soon turns to dread and fear. First, the unseen voice speaking to them peaks their curiosity, but when one person is found dead, they all wonder if they are about to meet the same fate. The discussion group enjoyed this book, as generations before them have, giving it 4.5 stars.

Overbooked members gave The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon a 3.9 star rating. As a teenage boy with Asperger's investigates the murder of a neighbor's dog, the reader will experience a myriad of emotions. The consensus from the discussion group was that the book was a fascinating look into how someone with autism views the world and a heartbreaking reminder of the challenges with which they are confronted. 

The Night Owls discussion group gave Only the Beautiful a solid 3.6 star rating. The book is set between 1938 and 1947 with the earlier years focusing on Rosie in the United States, and the later years focusing on Helen in Europe. Rosie is a teenager who loses her family to an accident and is taken in by her employers. Remembering her instructions from her parents throughout her childhood, Rosie tries to make it to adulthood without anyone finding out what makes her different. Being "different" in the 1939 was a very dangerous trait, even in the United States. 

Helen is the sister of Rosie's employer and she left for Europe years ago to be a nanny. She considers the families she works for to be her own. When Hitler begins to invade the continent though, a child she tends is in grave danger. The decisions Helen makes to keep Brigitta safe have life altering consequences. 

While the majority of Night Owls members seemed to enjoy the book, some felt the author just kept piling trauma after trauma onto characters for shock value only then to try and fix everyone and everything with what felt like a tacked-on epilogue.