This Month's Selection: The Good House by Ann Leary

Afternoon Readers

Tuesday, April 14, 1 p.m.

The Good House

by Ann Leary

Hildy Good is a townie. A lifelong resident of a small community on the rocky coast of Boston's North Shore, she knows pretty much everything about everyone. And she's good at lots of things, too. A successful real-estate broker, mother, and grandmother, her days are full. But her nights have become lonely ever since her daughters, convinced their mother was drinking too much, sent her off to rehab. Now she's in recovery--more or less.
Alone and feeling unjustly persecuted, Hildy finds a friend in Rebecca McAllister, one of the town's wealthy newcomers. Rebecca is grateful for the friendship and Hildy feels like a person of the world again, as she and Rebecca escape their worries with some harmless gossip and a bottle of wine by the fire--just one of their secrets.
But Rebecca is herself the subject of town gossip. When Frank Getchell, an old friend who shares a complicated history with Hildy, tries to warn her away from Rebecca, Hildy attempts to protect her friend from a potential scandal. Soon, however, Hildy is busy trying to protect her own reputation. When a cluster of secrets becomes dangerously entwined, the reckless behavior of one person threatens to expose the other, and this darkly comic novel takes a chilling turn.
The Good House, by Ann Leary, is funny, poignant, and terrifying. A classic New England tale that lays bare the secrets of one little town, this spirited novel will stay with you long after the story has ended.-- from the publisher

Join us in person or online for a discussion of this New York Times bestseller by Ann Leary!

What We Thought: An Invisible Thread by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski

Afternoon Book Club

An Invisible Thread

Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski

March 10, 2015 

“An invisible thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, and circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle. But it will never break.”  --  Ancient Chinese Proverb

Readers discussed the author’s story and shared personal stories of their own. They voiced a heartfelt reaction about the author’s connection with young Maurice and supported her activities on his behalf. All were impressed with the introduction of Laura’s family and their acceptance of Maurice into their lives.

Readers wholeheartedly believed in Laura and Maurice and were impressed with Laura’s dedication to Maurice’s welfare and acceptance of his good nature. She believed in him despite his desperate home life. Most agreed that Laura went above and beyond what they would have done for him, but wished that they could have been as generous with their time and resources. Maurice’s expression of gratitude and his acceptance of her good wishes drew the attention of book group members.

There was a brief discussion of the influence of the author’s own family on her relationship with Maurice. Readers felt that the relationship between Laura and Maurice went above and beyond a substitute for what was missing in her biological families, forging a stronger bond. Maurice changed the course of his life as a result of his friendship with Laura and created his own nurturing family dynamic.

All agreed that the author wrote a beautiful story about unique circumstances. There were enough successful outcomes to lighten up the sadness of the character’s lives. The story focused on love overcoming trying circumstances and the redeeming value of true friendship and goodness.

Have you read An Invisible Thread? What did you think? This virtual book club discussion is open to all to comment on.