What we thought: Last One Home by Debbie Macomber

Afternoon Readers Book Club July 2016

Last One Home

Debbie Macomber

“We all face difficulties of our own, and how comforting it is to immerse yourself in a book—my book, any book, any romance. It’s entertainment, it’s escape, and it can even be an inspiration.” Debbie Macomber

Readers were eager to talk about this month’s selection and what it meant to them. They all agreed with the quote from the book jacket, that Last One Home “…delivers an inspiring new stand- alone novel about the power of forgiveness, and a second chance at love.”   The story covers many serious themes and connects them all in heartwarming ways that resonated with readers. Readers commented on the family relationships and misunderstandings, life altering events and missed opportunities, self-discovery, personal growth and hard work which resulted in love and career opportunities. 

Readers appreciated the realistic portrayals of all of the characters and said that Cassie’s young daughter was authentic and they knew pre-teens who were just like her. Cassie was a very good mother and readers said that they expected Amiee to grow into a terrific young lady. Amiee’s craving for KFC was so intense that everyone wished they had some during the discussion but said they would save the chicken legs for her. Some said they preferred the mashed potatoes, gravy and cole slaw. A lot of time was devoted to talk about the food and celebrations in the story creating a familiar atmosphere.

Readers were interested in the focus on Habitat for Humanity and the details of how people were able to work into order to obtain a new house built just for them and by them. It was fascinating. Some readers knew quite a lot about it and others were interested and surprised to discover how this topic was woven into the heart of the story.

Readers were inspired to talk about memories of The Mayflower Grove which was built in 1901, as an amusement park in Bryantville on the shores of Little Sandy Bottom Pond (Route 27). It was named after the flowers that once grew so abundantly in the area. The Brockton and Plymouth Street Railway Company wished to increase the number of passengers on their new trolley line from Whitman to Hanson. They installed a “turn-out” to allow the trolleys to make stops off the main track. To stimulate business it was decided that an amusement park would be built, and along with it came the Mayflower Grove. It consisted of a dance hall, a movie theatre, a restaurant with a barbecue site, a hotel, a boat launch, games, a pool room, a carousel and much more! Mayflower Grove attracted entertainment from all over; regular entertainers included the Bingville Band and the Bryantville Kitchen Orchestra. Miss America visited in 1926 and 1927. Years later between the depression and damage from hurricanes, the park was sold to developers and the Mayflower Grove ended. 

 

Everyone enjoyed reading the book and plan to read more Debbie Macomber as well as watch her stories on the Hallmark Channel. The author has recently published an adult coloring book depicting scenes from her Rose Harbor and Blossom Street series; The World of Debbie Macomber, Come Home to Color.

Have you read Last One Home? What did you think? Please share your thoughts in comments.

What we thought: Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen

Afternoon Readers Book Club

June 2016

Lost Lake

Sarah Addison Allen

Readers enjoyed this book. On the surface it was a light fantasy with interesting characters. Further discussion brought out complex layers of family conflict and questions about reality and imagination. Grieving about death and lost chances permeated the lives of all the characters. People were drawn to Lost Lake to deal with their hopes and dreams and to satisfy their need for companionship and understanding. They were looking for different endings to their life stories.

A ghost and a talking alligator made appearances throughout, but seemed almost normal. Most of the relationships eventually worked out although there were a few surprises. Readers appreciated the quirky characters and discussed them as if their circumstances were real. Maybe they were real. Stranger things have happened. There were many characters but all were essential. Readers talked about them as if they knew them and thought about what would have happened if their stories continued beyond the conclusion.

Addison is a popular author and several of her books have been selections for both the evening and afternoon book clubs. Readers commented on how skillfully she crafted the backgrounds of her characters and integrated them into a complete story. Several have also read her books on their own; Garden Spells, The Sugar Queen, The Girl Who Chased the Moon, The Peach Keeper, First Frost, Waking Kate, and Firefly Dance.

“You can’t change where you come from, but you can change where you go from here. Just like a book. If you don’t like the ending, you can make up a new one.”  Sarah Addison Allen.

Have you read Lost Lake?  What did you think? Please share your thoughts in comments.

What we thought: Between, Georgia by Joshilyn Jackson

Afternoon Readers Book Club

May 2016

Between, Georgia

Joshilyn Jackson

The discussion began with the author’s name. Was it pronounced Josh Lynn or Jocelyn? This led to a further discussion of alternative spellings of children’s names, Michelle with one l, Jaime pronounced with a Spanish inflection, and other unusual names which have become more common these days. The discussion went on about raising children and family dynamics resulting from conflicts between biological and adoptive parents. Between, Georgia was an extreme example of children caught in the middle of feuding families and alternative lifestyles. Readers decided that characters were very well drawn and situations realistic in their portrayal, especially about loving relationships and acceptance in the community of adults with disabilities.

Readers were very concerned about one of the most sympathetic characters in the book, Fisher and what might have happened to her in the end. There was an unexpected catastrophe and she may have been caught up in it. Some said that they wanted to stop reading before they found out what they were certain was going to happen. They did finish and were able to talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The discussion ended with book recommendations. Readers were enthusiastic about what they read and how Jackson’s book made them think of favorite southern fiction titles. High on the list was Fannie Flagg’s The All Girl Filling Station’s Last Reunion and Baby Girl. Other choices were Necessary Lies and The Good Father by Diane Chamberlain, The One –in- a- Million Boy by Monica Wood, The Deep End of the Ocean and A Theory of Relativity by Jacqueline Mitchard, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Joshilyn Jackson’s Gods in Alabama was recommended by some who had already read it and encouraged the rest of the group to read it as well.

“Recommends it for any lover of southern lit. Talk about a book full of quirky characters! Reading Between, Georgia made we want to hop in my car and travel down to Georgia in search of this little town and it’s cast of characters so I could slap a few of them and hug a few of them. I’d especially like to hug that moody and adorable little Fisher. There were a couple little shockers in the book, but I have to say the ending was worth it.”

     A blogger.

Have you read Between, Georgia?  What did you think? Please share your thoughts in comments.

What we thought: Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart

Afternoon Readers Book Club

April 2016

Girl Waits with Gun by Amy Stewart

“Quick-witted and full of madcap escapades, Girl Waits with Gun is a story about one woman rallying the courage to stand up for and grow into herself—with a little help from sisters and sheriffs along the way.”  Dust jacket

Readers heartily endorsed this book club selection saying that they liked this story of one of the first female deputy sheriffs; some said it was the best book ever. The book brings to life real historical characters and how they lived their lives. The author’s engaging writing brings humor and empathy to the circumstances of pre-World War I life of young women in New York and New Jersey. Readers agreed that the book provides insight into the lives of women of the era and how they were able to adapt unconventional lifestyles into society at large. Their attention focused on two mysteries that drove the story along and held their interest until the conclusion the book. Readers wanted to know more and wished for a sequel. They were so interested that they speculated on the further lives of the three Kopp sisters.

Readers commented about the author’s treatment of law enforcement, crime and crime syndicates, environmental pollution, mistreatment of factory workers, union organization and modern innovations like motor cars comparing it to our lives in the 21^st century.

Amy Stewart writes non-fiction books about the natural world including four New York Times best sellers; The Drunken Botanist, Wicked Bugs, Wicked Plants and Flower Confidential.

Have you read Girl Waits with Gun? What did you think? Please share your thoughts in comments.

What we thought: A spool of blue thread by Anne Tyler

Afternoon Book Club Blog

March 2016

A spool of blue thread

Anne Tyler

“It was a beautiful, breezy, yellow-and-green afternoon...”  This is how Abby Whitshank always began the story of how she fell in love with Red that day in July 1959.

The afternoon’s discussion focused on the effects of family stories and secrets throughout four generations of the Whitshanks. Readers agreed that the family home with the large front porch and worn swing was the main character. Everyone’s story revolved around the house in Baltimore that was built by Grandfather J.R. Whitshank and lovingly cared for by all of them. Strong, detailed and realistic descriptions of characters are the defining focus of her stories of family, marriage and emotional life. During the course of discussion readers shared stories of their own family experiences of similar circumstances. The author had tapped into a universal awareness that brought meaningful connections to the group.

Readers were impressed with the scope of the story and the accommodations made to hide shocking secrets. They discussed the motivations of the secret keepers and made allowances for some. Although lives were altered there was redemption for some along with another path to be forged.

All of the readers had sympathy for Denny, J.R.’s grandson and Red’s son. After his secret was revealed, readers understood his distance from the family and why he couldn’t find direction and stability in life. Readers agreed that the story of the Whitshank family was a satisfying read and compared it to other books by Anne Tyler. They were glad that they had finished the book after a rocky start for some.

Have you read A spool of blue thread?  What did you think? Please share your thoughts in comments.