What we are reading
Susie Erath, Cherokee County
Amber Lake Book Club
How often they meet: Monthly
About the club: This eight-member club got started eight years ago as "a group of old and new neighbors and friends who met over dinner and found we all loved to read," Erath said. "We all agreed that after reading a good book, we would like to have someone to discuss it with." They take turns meeting at members' homes, where refreshments are provided. They mostly read contemporary fiction, but they add a couple of nonfiction titles and classics to the mix.
Favorite selections include: "Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons" by Lorna Landvik, "Gods in Alabama" by Joshilyn Jackson, "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen, "The White Masai" by Corinne Hofmann, "Left to Tell" by Immaculee Ilibagiza and "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini. "Our favorite selections are those that give us the most in-depth discussions," Erath said. Their most memorable flop was "Five People You Meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom. "It was actually an interesting read, but we didn't have a thing to discuss afterward," Erath said. "Disgrace" by J.M. Coetzee was universally disliked and voted "our worst read ever."
Recently read: "Devil's Gold" by local author Julie Korzenko. "Julie signed copies of her book at a local bookstore and we attended as a group," Erath said.
What it's about: A zoologist investigating the mysterious deaths of wolves at Yellowstone National Park is the protagonist in this romantic thriller with an ecology theme.
What members thought: "It was a fun, quick read, which made for a fun discussion," Erath said. "Those of us who have been to Yellowstone particularly liked the details and descriptions of the terrain, park and hotels. There was something for everyone: romance, intrigue and adventure."
Next assignment: "Ava's Man" by Rick Bragg
Tell us what your club is reading. Contact Patti Ghezzi at ajcbookclubs@yahoo.com
