Hot on the Reading Shelf

An ambitious running list of the current books being perused by the lovely readers of Book Clubbers. These run the gamut of being adapted into movies, screen plays and some, that are just fun beach reading. As half the joy is in discovering new authors and tastes, please dip in through these links for some interesting reviews and varied takes on the subjects.

Most importantly, check off books you've read and enjoyed (or loathed!) in the comments section. I'll work on compiling your thoughts into a collective review, piecing together different view points on each of the books...should be an interesting project and of course, the more colorful the language in your commentary the better! Who else, but yours truly would give you an opportunity to use explitive feedback!!

Olive Kitteridge, Elizabeth Strouts
Where the Heart Is, Billie Letts
Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini
The Brass Verdict, Michael Connely
The Other Boleyn Girl, Philippa Gregory
The Island, Elin Hilderbrand
The Alchemy of Desire, Tarun Tejpal
The Last Song, Nicholas Sparks
Cutting for stone, Abraham Verghese
Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert
The Celestine Prophecy, James Redfield
Three Cups of Tea, Greg Mortenson
Tuesdays with Morrie, Mitch Albom
Valley of the Dolls, Jacqueline Susann

Oh no! He DIDN'T!

So long, way too long! Forgive me won't you?

Gosh I've totally been slacking on my editorial duties!! Blame it on social media, theater and life in general!! So, we had an awesome first meeting of the Book Clubbers...great food (if I say so myself ;)), lovely company and the conversation---scintillating!! I just love that word...brings twinkly diamonds to mind for some reason!

We discussed Fly Away Home by Jennifer Weiner and even with some general apprehensions about the topic and genre being too banal, the ladies brought it home.

Highlights of discussions include: (can't help the suit in me and have to deliver highlights in bullets...maybe I'll make a PowerPoint preso one day? Gasp!)

• What is it about women that make us want to forgive our wayward men? Some say it's our innate capacity to forgive (not forget!) and take a "why can't we all just get along" approach. Others of course think it's the history built together that's too important to throw away on one indiscretion. My beef is can cheating really be called an "indiscretion" isn't it more like a life altering decision? And there was a group that asks: is forgiving a euphemism for turning a blind eye? Hmm, no wonder Mr. Shiva keeps his third eye closed all the time on us humans eh? :)

• Over achieving nature of first borns--why oh why do you torture the rest of your siblings so?! This was a tough one as we wrestled with questions like should first borns take the blame for their younger siblings not being able to cope? Does being a first born really drive you to feel responsible to take charge and pave the way for the family name? As expected, only the first borns in the Book Clubbers took the time to discuss these issues as the rest of us later borns snoozed :)

• Why are women so eager to find their identity in identifying with their partners and their family?! And if they do make the choice to spend their life nurturing and building the nest, should they fault the family for taking them for granted? After all, don't women do that to themselves by making place for others?! This was discussed as every lady checked to make sure the person on their right was well fed and taken care of.

• And lastly, can you ever make a valid excuse for being an addict? Isn't that just an excuse for doing the hell as you please with your life with no sense of accountability? Reaction to this question you ask?! (Slurrrrrrrrrp) Excuse me while I drain out the remnants in my glass :):)

Not meaning to trivialize (maybe ever so slightly 'coz there is nothing that you have to take that seriously after all right?) but, plug in your thoughts in the comments section... Fly away and in the words of Ari Gold, "I love a liar but I hate a cheater." Until later!