Book Club

My friend Kim emailed me and a bunch of other girls at the beginning of the summer and asked us if we wanted to start a summer book club. I immediately agreed since I wanted to meet new people and read a good book. 7 of us agreed to do it. We decided to meet on Tuesday nights at Kim and Libby's apartment. The book to read was Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann. I got to say I was a little skeptical because I usually read chick lit. So on the first meeting we decided how everything was going to work. We were going to read 50 pages a week, if we could not attend it was ok, but most importantly, if you did not read the pages assign no need to worry. It was agreed that each week different people were going to bring either a snack or an alcoholic beverage ( can you say, AWESOME!). We also got to meet the people in the group since most of us did not know each other. I got to say that I instantly knew we were all going to get along and have some interesting conversations since not all the people in the group were teachers. 


After the second time we met for book club some things became apparent: 


1. I couldn't eat dinner before going to book club, because of all the yummy things people brought each week. Some of the things were: bruschetta, ice cream, caprese salad, hummus and yummy desserts from various bakeries. ( This was my cheating day since I am suppose to be eating healthy. ;) ) 
2. The variety of wines were awesome... and...
3. We spent most of the time taking about what each of us did, career wise, and how we met our significant others, got engaged, got into running, how did we get along with our siblings, family, etc, than talking about the book.




I did read the book because it is unlikely for me not to finish a book, but each week the one thing I looked forward to doing was spending time with cool women. 


The book was a great read.  A little bit slow at times, I must admit. When we discussed it we were able to make connections to some times in our lives. Also, we saw these character as humans, mostly because of the author, and how relatable they seem. It was powerful book and exactly what I need in this moment in my life. Most of the characters experiences a lost of a family member and it showed how they dealt with it, whether it was by getting together with a support group, remembering and having a better life than their mother, marrying your brothers killer, etc. It showed the way of how these people grieved and how a lot of the events that occurred in the book were tied to on smaller event, The Twin Towers Tight Rope Walker (1974).  


Last Tuesday was our last book club meeting, so it was a bit sad.  But on the up side, we decided to keep on going with the book club, so we will meet again starting in September with a new book. I am really looking forward to reading a new book, keeping up with these friends, eating fantastic food and drinking awesome wine...


So if you have ever been skeptical about hosting or being part of a book club, like I was, think again, because it does not have to be as strict as it seems...




See you soon,
Nadia