I’ve always wanted to participate in a book club. It’d been a dream of mine. In my mind, it is a very specific kind of book club. It involves other avid readers, of course, wine, charcuterie, and lively conversation surrounding good books.
Much to my delight, one of my knitting besties invited me to join a book club sponsored by a mobile book store (love that idea!) and the bakery where she works. My first meeting was last month.
To say I was a bit giddy about this would have been an understatement. We read a creepy book that took place in Kentucky, so I was intrigued. This probably wouldn’t have been a book that I would have normally read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. That is what book clubs are all about, right? Right! In case you are interested, the book was Starling House by Alix E. Harrow.
The club meeting wasn’t exactly what I expected. There was a craft as a starter. I’m not a particularly crafty person. So, instead of that glass of wine I so desperately hoped for, I was using a glue stick to paste silk flowers on a notebook. This was a bit disappointing. There was also no charcuterie. However, there were some peanut butter cookies that were so good, I helped myself to two. Hey, we met at dinner time. I needed to keep up my strength.
Finally, the book conversation began. They were not a chatty bunch. I obviously jumped right in. This is what I was there for, but I got the distinct impression that many of the women were there for the craft and fellowship and not so much the reading. This was disappointing.
I personally felt like very little time was given to the book. I know the club is just starting, so I’m trying to remain hopeful and optimistic, but it’s hard—especially given this month’s book choice.
I’m not going to name the book, because I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Here’s the thing: it’s not a bad book. It’s just a little fluffy for my taste. Think Hallmark movie and you’ve nailed it. I honestly have no idea how to have a productive discussion around this book.
Now, I will occasionally read this sort of fluff as a palate cleanser after reading a very intense book. After I finished the Bear Town series by Fredrik Bachman, I went to the fluffiest book I could find to decompress from that intensity.
I’m really not a book snob. I love vampire smut for goodness’ sake. I just don’t want all the books to be like this. I can’t do it. I worry so much because I’m right in the middle of the Bible Belt, and people are sensitive to a LOT of topics. I, on the other hand, have no time for censorship or any sort of book banning. I like a good edgy read that makes me think. One that shows me another way of life.
I’m going to give it a few more months before making a final call. After all, everyone was very nice. I just hope for some livelier conversation at the next meeting. However, I’m not sure this month’s selection is one that will produce much debate. Either you like this kind of book or you don’t. There isn’t a ton of hot points to discuss.
We’ll see what happens. I hope it works and exceeds my expectations. I want this book club to be good. Lord knows I love to read, and I certainly need to get out of the house more.
Angela Traver
What is this blog about? Well, it's a general blog, but it is also a very specific blog. If you get that reference, you get a gold star! I have been a public relations professional and writer of press releases for more than 20 years—primarily in the booze biz. I decided to do some writing for fun and embrace the humor that gets me through most days. Hopefully it will make you chuckle—or at least smile. I’m a certified crazy magnet, and more than a little nutty myself, so buckle up. Also, I have two vices—profanity and red wine/whiskey. You’ve been warned. It should also be noted, that I’m a HUGE Bob & Sheri fan. I’ve been a listener for more than 20 years. This opportunity is a dream come true and it may have made me cry. That being said, I cry at everything. If you are into booze, dogs, food and/or knitting, hit me up on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter (although I’m terrible at Twitter and it scares me) @kyspiritsgal. You can also find all my previous blog posts at www.kyspiritsgal.com.
