Clubbing in June -- Part 1

Overbooked discussed Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg for their June meeting. Readers can always count on Fannie Flagg to deliver a folksy, feel good read. In this novel, we're introduced to Mrs. Threadgoode who is telling her life story to Evelyn. During her story, we meet Idgie and Ruth, who ran a little restaurant back in the thirties that saw a multitude of adventures, including murder. 

The Overbooked members gave the book a 3.8 average rating. They enjoyed the light-hearted humor, as well as the sprawling cast of characters in the small southern town of Whistle Stop. While the structure of the book can sometimes make it a little hard to keep track of the story's timeline -- especially if you are listening to the audiobook--members all agreed that it is still a book they would recommend to others, especially to fans of the movie adaptation. 

Once Upon a Crime members discussed On Borrowed Crime by Kate Young in June. This is the first installment of the Jane Doe Book Club Mystery series. Living in the quaint town of Sweet Mountain, Georgia, Lyla Moody is not only a member of a true crime group called Jane Doe, she's also a receptionist at her uncle's private investigation firm. The two roles collide when a member of her true crime group turns up dead and Lyla's best friend is the main suspect. A dash of romance, a little suspense, and a splash of murder makes this cozy mystery a winner. Once Upon a Crime members gave this novel a 3.7 rating.

The Night Owls discussed Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby during the June meeting. Ike Randolph and Buddy Lee had two things in common: they were both ex-cons and their sons were married to each other when they were murdered. Ike and Buddy team up on a quest for revenge and soon face their own prejudices about their sons and each other. 

The Southern noir crime novel was not what discussion members were expecting and, admittedly, not a genre many members would choose to read on their own. At times uncomfortable to read, members agreed that not all stories have to be palatable in order to be well-written and impactful when dealing with difficult  subject matters that most people shy away from discussing. Some members felt that the author sometimes used odd word choices they felt were not authentic to a character. However, overall, the book received a favorable review with most members appreciating the author's willingness to tackle such heavy topics. The Night Owls gave this book a 3.2 rating. 

 

Clubbing in May -- Part 1

The Questers discussed The Maid by Nita Prose in May. The first book in a series, this mystery follows efficient and etiquette driven Molly Gray as she cleans rooms at The Regency Grand Hotel. The reader soon realizes through a series of conversations and events that Molly is probably on the spectrum and takes words at their literal meanings and trusts people to be honest when representing themselves to her. This leads to big trouble for her when she discovers a guest at the hotel has died under suspicious circumstances and she is the pain suspect. 
The Questers found Molly to be endearing and rooted for her to find happiness at the end. The group agreed that the many red herrings planted by the author were very good distractions and there were surprises at the end that no one saw coming. The book received a 3.5 rating from the group. 

Overbooked discussed The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan in May. The book follows two generations of women. The mothers are Chinese born immigrants to San Francisco, while the daughters are American born. The reader sees the painful memories and experiences of these women, as well as their hope for the future, through the perspectives of both generations.

Overbooked members generally enjoyed the novel, but agreed that the various points of views and character names often made it hard to keep track of people and events. The group gave the book a 3.5 rating. 

Once Upon a Crime members read The Library Book by Susan Orlean for May. This nonfiction book is based on the true story surrounding the mystery of a 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Public Library. This catastrophic event damaged and destroyed over a million books. Arson was suspected, but never proven. The reader is not only left trying to figure out how and why this happened, but is also given a glimpse into the crucial role libraries play in our communities and society.

The discussion group gave this title a 3.5 rating.

Clubbing in April -- Part 1

 

Overbooked read Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt for the April discussion. This memoir describes the author's upbringing in New York and Ireland. Detailing the hardships of his childhood, the book follows his mother, Angela, as she worked to provide for a family whose alcoholic father kept bringing them to the brink of disaster. It chronicles the daily battles for survival, but also provides some inspiration as a story of courage. 

The discussion group gave the book a 2.4 rating. They agreed it was a bit of a downer for most members, but they praised the author's writing skills and his ability to inject levity throughout parts of the story. 

The Night Owls read The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green for the April discussion. While Green is best known for his fiction, he adapted is podcast into this series of essays that review different aspects of humanity during this geologic era known as The Anthropocene Era. He uses his remarkable story-telling talent, mixed with humor and wit, to explore our place of belonging in this ever-changing world.

The discussion group gave this book four out of five stars. Members enjoyed the trivia-like aspect of the author's essays, as well as his writing style and sense of humor. 

Once Upon a Crime book discussion members read The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill for April. The beautiful Boston Public Library is the setting for this mystery. While people enjoy the quiet and peaceful reading room, the tranquility is suddenly shattered by a woman's screams and an apparent murder. The reader is left wondering which of the four main characters is the murderer. 

The discussion group gave this a strong 3.7 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. 

Clubbing in February -- Part 1

Overbooked discussion club members discussed James Baldwin's classic, If Beale Street Could Talk, for their February meeting. This is one of the twentieth century's most memorable novels and is considered by some to be the best novel ever written by the brilliant James Baldwin. 

What could have been a sweet love story between Tish and Fonny, takes a sad turn when Fonny is accused of a crime he didn't commit. Baldwin takes the reader on a roller-coaster of emotions as Fonny's family and Tish try to clear his name, hoping their love can survive.

The novel received an overall 3.8 positive rating from the Overbooked group. Members agreed that Baldwin's book is of important literary merit but also acknowledged that parts of it could be difficult to read. 

The Night Owls enjoyed discussing The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion for their February meeting. The light-hearted story follows socially awkward Don, a professor of genetics, and Rosie, a fiery and charismatic barmaid, as they each search for something special in their lives. Don is looking for a wife; Rosie is looking for her father. While completely incompatible according to Don's sixteen page scientific survey, the two develop a chemistry that defies mathematical formulas. 

Readers who are looking for a book that marries humor and romance, will be pleased with this novel. The Night Owls gave it a solid four out of five stars. 

Once Upon a Crime book club members discussed Sworn to Silence by Linda Castillo for their February meeting. Castillo once again shows her expertise in writing about the Amish life and landscape while mixing in suspense and intrigue. This time, the protagonist, Katie Burkholder, returns to her hometown over fifteen years after leaving the Amish life for a big-city life in law enforcement. As the new police chief of Painter's Creek, Ohio, her first task is to solve a murder and prevent anyone else from meeting the same fate as the victim. Secrets are exposed and relationships are betrayed in this sizzling crime thriller.

The Once Upon a Crime members found the book riveting and gave it a very high rating of 4.7 stars.

                                                                                                                                                                           

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. 
 

Overbooked -- December 4, 2023

Overbooked got into the holiday spirits (pun intended) with December’s book club pick, the Charles Dickens classic novella, A Christmas Carol. The story begins on Christmas Eve as the reader is introduced to the main character Ebenezer Scrooge, the penny-pinching curmudgeon who is visited by the spirit of his long-deceased business partner, Jacob Marley, who brings him a dire warning and a chance for redemption from three Christmas spirits. 

Members discussed the impact of Dickens’ story and how it has become a cultural touchstone not just in literature but in other forms of media as well, particularly in film. One member commented “Imagine the world without A Christmas Carol” and others were hard pressed to disagree, especially given how quintessential it has become in relation to the holiday season. Members were also tickled by the connection between the story's name and the chapters being called “staves” which is not immediately clear to non-music reading folks. For members that have previously read works by the author, they agreed that A Christmas Carol is probably the best entry point for anyone wanting to dip their toes in the Dickensian literary pool, as his other novels can be a bit more difficult to wade through. 

Overall, the Overbookers were delighted to have read the novel and still be surprised by a story we all know so well even if you never read the book previously. A Christmas Carol was given a positive 4.4 out of 5 star-rating.

Overbooked -- November 6, 2023

Overbooked met in November to discuss the National Book Award winning title The Round House by Louise Erdrich. Told in first person perspective by Joe Coutts, the story centers around the assault his mother suffered when he was 13 years old and the ensuing investigation that pulls in several members of the community who reside on an Ojibwe reservation in North Dakota. Growing frustrated with the abysmal investigation into his mother’s case, Joe sets out with the aid of his friends to seek justice on her behalf and learns too late that some actions lead to life-haunting consequences.

 Some members initially admitted to being lost at different points in the story due to the scattered dialogue. Other members however believed that may have been intentional as it was reminiscent of the fractured thoughts of a 13 year old boy being retold by his adult self. Yet members all agreed on the profoundery of Erdrich’s writing with members reading aloud passages that resonated with them. This was a novel that members stated is a deeply thought provoking work of literature for anyone that appreciates this genre of books and that greatly benefits from group discussions. The Overbookers all expressed interest in reading more of this author’s work for future book discussions.

The Round House received an overall positive response, averaging a 4 out of 5-star rating.

 

Overbooked and Night Owls - October 9, 2023

It was a melding of the minds (or groups) for October as Overbooked and Night Owls members both met to discuss the Shirley Jackson gothic mystery, We Have Always Lived in the Castle. The novel, the last to be written before Jackson’s death, is told from the perspective of the main character, 18-year old Mary Katherine “Merricat” Blackwood as she recounts the tragic events that have befallen her family which isolate her and the remaining members from their local community.

 Members noted that from the start of the novel, Merricat is not trusted as a reliable narrator, given her tendency to dissociate from situations as a means of coping with the difficult realities around her. While the author’s writing initially appears simplistic, members couldn’t shake the feeling that everything has a much deeper meaning and adds an additional layer of uncertainty while reading through the novel. Merricat’s other relatives, her sister Constance and her Uncle Julian, also made for interesting points of discussion as members closely scrutinized and analyzed the characters’ peculiarities to find deeper and darker meanings.

Despite some members admitting that this is not the typical book they would normally reach for, they could appreciate the novel’s gothic elements and its inclusion as our October book. I think one book club member best summed up the book by saying “it reminds me of Anne of Green Gables if Anne were a psychopath.” Overall, the book received a modest 3.2 out of a 5 stars rating.

Overbooked -- September 6, 2023

Overbooked met in September to discuss the book Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya, which follows the Chicano narrator, Antonio Márez, as he recounts his childhood set against the end of World War II and the spiritual journey he embarks on after Ultima, a highly respected curandera, comes to live out her remaining years with his family on the outskirts of a small New Mexico town. Over the course of two years, Antonio reflects on the events and people in his life during this time that ultimately help to shape his personal identity.

The themes of the book lend themselves well to discussion, as a great deal of time can be spent solely on reflecting on individuals’ interpretations of the author’s use of symbolism, imagery, and foreshadowing, as well as the juxtaposition of both Antonio’s religious and cultural worlds. The more members discussed the book or read aloud passages that resonated with them personally, the more members found themselves becoming impressed by the depth of the author’s writing skills, which led some members to change their initial impressions of the book. 

With such a thought-provoking and engaging discussion, the members of the group reviewed the book positively with a 4.6 out of 5 average rating

Overbooked -- August 7, 2023

Overbooked met this month to discuss the John Steinbeck novella The Pearl, a parable based on a Mexican folktale revolving around Kino, a poor fisherman, whose discovery of a large pearl soon puts him and his family in danger as the greed and evil of those around him covet his priceless find.

Amongst some of the biggest critiques of the novella were passages that some members felt as too detailed and unnecessary given the novel’s relatively short 112 page count. Others, however, remarked the opposite and relished the use of Steinbeck’s evocative imagery to illustrate key themes throughout the story. Some members also felt that the writing was much too simplistic given the literary prestige of the author yet other members sighted this as a highlight. Too often “classic literature” is perceived as too high-brow or not for “the common man” and some members appreciated the approachability of Steinbeck’s “simple writing” and making it more accessible to the everyday reader, but without diminishing the effectiveness of his writing. 

In the end, the novella received a favorable 3.2 out of 5 stars average rating from members.

 

Overbooked -- July 12, 2023

 

For the month of July, Overbooked members gathered to discuss the somber memoir Night by Elie Wiesel. In the book Wiesel recounts the horrific events of his imprisonment in the infamous Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps when he was only fifteen years old. Spanning just a year, Wiesel candidly describes the horrors he bore witness to and the atrocities inflicted upon the Jewish prisoners at the behest of the Nazi regime. The haunting prose as Wiesel writes of his struggles to survive, not only physically but mentally, will leave an indelible mark on any reader.

Members in attendance were unanimous in their opinions of the book. While difficult to read at times, members spoke of the impact of Wiesel's writing when describing imagery that was gruesome but necessary, although never in a gratuitous manner. Wiesel does not censor himself in order to make these events more palatable to readers, and members agreed that doing so would have only minimized them. Members also stated that Wiesel's memoir serves as a reminder of the monstrosities humankind is capable of and is a book everyone should make time to read.

The final average rating was 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Night Owls and Overbooked -- June 12, 2023

For the month of June, Overbooked and the Night Owls held a joint discussion group for the Margaret Atwood classic, The Handmaid’s Tale. The novel centers around the character of Offred named after the Commander she comes to serve at the beginning of the book. Offred recounts her time forced to serve as a handmaid, a subservient and oppressive role created in the new totalitarian state of Gilead. A handmaid’s sole purpose is to bear children for sterile couples who serve as the government's top officials. 

Going into the book, members of both groups knew that this was going to be a “heavy” read and that sentiment did not change. Atwood weaved several hefty themes together throughout the novel, such as government control, gender roles, and free will. These are all topics that members agreed are still very much as prevalent today as they were almost 40 years ago when the book was originally published. This alone left a deep impression on members and for some, was the best aspect of the book. However, some members felt that the book was very slow and boring and made it hard to really engage with the story. Others felt that the monotony was intentional and helped to further underscore the quiet horror of Offred’s existence. Another critique was that the story’s non-linear plot muddled their understanding of when or where things were happening throughout the book. Again, other members viewed this as a deliberate choice given what is revealed in the final chapter of the novel.

The closing comment from the members was that while The Handmaid’s Tale is not a “fun” read or a book that could be recommended to just anyone, it is a deeply thought-provoking book that lends itself well to a book club discussion and one that will stay with you long after you’ve read it.

The final average rating was 4.2 out of 5 stars

 

Overbooked -- May 1, 2023

The Overbooked gang met this month to discuss the many short stories of the iconic Sherlock Holmes complied in the aptly titled book, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle. The book contains twelve of Doyles' earliest short stories involving the astute detective, all told from the perspective of his trusted confidant, Dr. John Watson. 

Some of the highlights from the collection were "A Scandal in Bohemia", which features the first appearance of Irene Addler, a popular character. Many group members were surprised to learn this is the only story she appears in; "The Five Orange Pips" finds Holmes investigating mysterious deaths that may have sinister ties to a radical American organization; and "The Adventure of the Speckled Band" kept members trying to figure out the strange manner in which a young woman died in her room shortly before her nuptials. 

Members agreed that they enjoyed the stories being told from Watson's point of view. It helped them to immerse themselves in the investigations as they tried to work out each case, as the reader is only privy to what Watson sees and knows. The cleverness of Holmes and his world famous deductive reasoning were also seen as a more modern approach than what readers had expected for the time period. 

All in all, members of the group were in agreement that they were glad to have read this collection of short stories and can now say that they have read the great Sherlock Holmes. It received an average four star rating. 

Overbooked -- April 3, 2023

 The Overbooked bunch underwent a challenging read this month as we met to discuss the beloved classic, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Originally published in 1813, the novel follows the story of Elizabeth Bennet as she learns to see past her initial prejudices and misjudgments of the people around her, especially in regards to the handsomely brooding Mr. Darcy. Written as a novel of manners which recreates the intricate customs and social norms of the time, Austen employed the use of irony, humor and social commentary to poke fun at the idea of a woman's dependence on marriage as well as the classism of the time, both of which are still relevant topics to this day.

The biggest hurdle for all members was the style of writing and dialogue. Several members found this to be the most daunting aspect of the book, but were glad to have stuck through it as the experience gave them a better understanding as to why the book is so well loved and considered a classic. The universal themes help to make the book relevant to this day. Others were genuinely surprised by how much they ended up enjoying the book and couldn't put it down. However, the roundabout manner in which characters often spoke could get frustrating at times, and readers wished they would just say what they meant. 

In the end, the book was very well received despite the initial reservations the group had tackling this classic. Members awarded the novel a 4.1 average rating. 

Final Rating: 4.1
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ = It was amazing

⭐⭐⭐⭐ = Really liked it

⭐⭐⭐ = Liked it

⭐⭐ = It was ok

⭐ = Did not like it

Overbooked -- March 6, 2023

 

For the month of March, the Overbooked members met to discuss the psychological thriller, The Talented Mr. Ripley, the first in the critically acclaimed Ripley series by Patricia Highsmith. The book centers around the titular character, Tom Ripley, who has mistakenly been hired by a wealthy businessman to travel to Italy and convince his gallivanting son, Richard (Dickie) Greenleaf, to return to New York and take a position within the family business. What begins as an amicable friendship between Tom and Dickie quickly devolves into one of mistrust, resentment, and ultimately murder, which leads Tom to new assumed identities and a suspenseful game of cat-and-mouse with the police. 

Members of the group had a great discussion while analyzing several aspects of the novel, particularly its cast of characters and themes. Many members of the group remarked how surprised they were by how much they enjoyed the book. The mounting suspense of will-he-or-won't-he-get-caught kept members from putting down their book. The character of Tom Ripley was also of great interest as members dissected the character. Several members found him to be a compelling protagonist villain who could easily manipulate the reader to his side just as easily as he could the characters in the book. Amongst its biggest critiques from members were that parts of the novel felt predictable and that Tom's actions came off as sloppy and careless towards the end. 

All in all, the novel received a favorable 3.8 rating with some expressing their interest in continuing on with the series to further explore the Machiavellian world of Mr. Tom Ripley. 

Overbooked Rating System

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ = It was amazing

⭐⭐⭐⭐ = Really liked it

⭐⭐⭐ = Liked it

⭐⭐ = It was ok

⭐ = Did not like it

Overbooked -- February 6, 2023

        

 

February marks the inaugural meeting of the Bremen Public Library's newly formed book club, Overbooked. This book club was created for individuals who have always wanted to read those "classic" books everyone talks about, but just have never gotten around to reading them. With that mission in mind, the group's very first discussion was for the children's classic, Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery.

The first in a series, Anne of Green Gables centers around eleven year old orphan, Anne Shirley, who accidentally ends up in the care of brother and sister, Matthew and Mirella Cuthbert, on their farm set in the fictional town of Avonlea. The book is episodic in nature, with each chapter reading like its own short story, as it follows the precocious Anne through her everyday life, usually with an unfortunate accident or conflict that has either befallen her or one of several secondary characters.

Standout aspects of the book for members were the humorous writing and the comical situations  that Anne often seemed to find herself in, either by her own design or unfortunate luck. Members were surprised by how entertaining her exploits were, while also becoming invested in Anne's character growth as the book progressed her into her older teen years. Anne's penchant for overly descriptive and dramatic dialogue also gave members a chuckle.

Members also touched on the importance the author placed on showing the evolution of Anne's relationships with several characters throughout this short period of her life. As an orphan, Anne is often lamenting that "no one ever wants her" and this is best illustrated through her relationship with Mirella. As one member pointed out, contrary as their personalities may be, Anne and Mirella bring out the best in one another.

For most members, this was their first foray into the world of Avonlea and Green Gables. As a result, some were apprehensive going into the book, as they would normally not consider picking it up. A few, however, have read it with one member stating that it is her favorite book and series of all time. So, it was a great relief that the book was overwhelmingly well-received with members and we were glad to have finally read this beloved children's classic. The Overbooked discussion club gives this book a strong 4.3 out of 5 stars.