The Boys In The Boat by Daniel James Brown

Club Rating 4.1

We were struck with how beautiful rowing/crew is and how horrific Joe's stepmother was. These boys were missing a sense of belong and unity that they gained from rowing. It was a story of perseverance, understanding you have one shot at something and how all these boys were family to each other and readily bonded. Some felt tht there were some gaps in the story but there was power to the story. Some felt that the story lagged.  

All the Light we Cannot See by Anthony Doer

Club Rating 4.5

About a blind French girl and a German boy whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II. 

Everyone felt that this was a fabulous book that was very well written and historically accurate.  Not everyone finished the book but several of us considered calling in sick to work to finish it. Most felt that the ending was different than if it had been a female author.

The Painter by Peter Heller

Club Rating: 3.9

None of us liked the character but we found him a case study in selfishness and, perhaps, an immoral soul, but that was questionable.   The ending was unsettling for us as was the implication that "he got away with it"!  We talked about the purpose his painting served in his life and we felt his painting reflected, or was a mirror, into his soul, so to speak as he painted what he felt and not what he saw. 

He talked about the role of the model and that painting and the bird's nests on top of the girl's heads, for example.  We also looked at metaphors and symbolism:  the fishing rod, and fishing  was he guide through white water, his savior, the roan was his daughter and he saved the roan when he couldn't save his daughter.

The Buccaneers by Edith Wharton

Club Rating:  2.3

Most thought that the book was that it lacked plot and character appeal.  The book was completed by another author because Edith Wharton died while writing it, which may be why it was lacking.

The Happiness Project by Gretchin Rubin

Club Rating: 3.4

This was a good premise that made us all aware of being happy.  Some felt the author was very controlling.  She also didn't address a lot of the underlying causes of being unhappy.  All in all, it was a good read.

The Spy Mistress by Jennifer Chiaverini

The Spy Mistress by Jennifer Chiaverini

Club Rating: 4.0

A worthwhile, enjoyable, read.  The main character was a real person who had been acknowledged for her actions during the conflict.  Some felt there was too much war information and not enough character development.  Overall the comments were positive and the group seemed satisfied with the author's rendition of the time period and of the general content.

The Diplomat's Wife by Pam Jenoff

Club Rating: 3.3

Some felt that this book was too cliché -Paul has so many lives etc.  It was an ok book but more of a light beach read.

The Songs of Willow Frost by Jaime Frost

Club Rating: 3.0

General feeling that the book did not measure up to the author's prior book.  Implausible coincidences and disjointed format moving between William and Willow as narrators; however a couple liked format and thought it added to interest. Willow did not seem very enthusiastic regarding getting her son back which seemed strange since it was one of the main points of the story. Several people did not finish the book because it didn't hold their interest. Discussion of racial and sexual politics of the era and reasons why those, coupled with time period (Great Depression), might result in children being given to orphanage that would be inexplicable today.  The book was too depressing for some.

When God Was A Rabbit

Club Rating: 2.9 

 This was a coming of age book but wasn't a plot driven book. Some felt that for a first time author she tried to do too much…it felt like the author was an excellent writer but was drunk. There was a dark under theme but it had a lot of humor. Most preferred the first part of the book.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

Club Rating:  4.4

Some members hadn't read it all the way through and there is a major plot twist so, the members who had read it didn't spoil the ending.  Even though it is 800+ pages, everyone said they really enjoyed it.

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Club Rating: 3.5

This book is told by two women ....two women who are the best of friends.  One woman is a secret agent and the other is a pilot.  It all takes place in war time Nazi-occupied France.  The secret agent is captured and interrogated.  Her written confessions weave the history of a friendship between herself and her pilot Maddie.  Julie/Queenie/Verity and Maddy/Cathy  the pilot, The Interragor Von Ingle and the interrpretor was Ingle and Jamie was the brother were the main characters but, this was a plot driven book (not character) .  It really highlighted the role of women in WWII.

The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay

Club Rating: 2.3

This is a post-Civil War story of a 12-yo girl who is homeless in New York City.  This highlights how many homeless children there were in the 1800’s.  Very dark and uncomfortable but it was history.  It was not a club favorite.