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.

And The Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

Club Rating: 4.5

This is about how the choices we make echo through many generations. It was confusing at time with the number of characters as well as the flashing back in time. Most loved it right up till the end. It was very human. There was a lot left to the imagination which was good as you got to piece it together.

Freud's Mistress by Karen Mack

 

Club Rating:  3.3

 A story of seduction, betrayal, and loss.  After being dismissed from yet another position as a lady’s companion, Minna Bernays sheepishly moves in with her older sister to help run the household and take care of Martha’s six children while Martha’s husband, Sigmund Freud, is refining a set of psychological theories.  Inspired by the supposed affair between Sigmund Freud and his sister-in-law, Freud’s Mistress combines the glamor of high-society Vienna and the squalor and scandal of the servant class.

A lot of discussion was around the roles of the women and men - the men wanting something they couldn't have, the woman being convenient.  The lack of morals put some off but, this exists today that there are women who have a price an are ok with turning a blind eye to what their husbands are doing.

Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

Club Rating:  3.5

Cara and Edward's parents, Luke and Georgie, are divorced. Luke, a renowned wolf expert, frequently lives with wolves. Cara adores her father and doesn't feel she fits with her mother, Georgie's new family. Edward has had a falling out with his father and lives in Thailand.  An car accident brings this estranged family back together.

Picoult writes with a formula that works in this book. She introduces a conflict early on - Luke is in a coma and should they or shouldn't they unplug his life support. Some of us felt compassion for the wife and some for Luke. Luke was singularly focused and humans were a distraction, We had a very interesting discussion about following your calling/passion vs. responsibilities.

The Woman Upstairs by Claire Messud

Club Rating: 3.7

Nora has many obligations in life with caring for her mother, then her father and ends up as a teacher. She befriends this family and is enthralled with first the son, then the husband and then the wife. She visits them in Paris and again redefines her viewpoints. She is looking for love or something to define herself with and the books ramblings showed this. She is a self ostracized individual who wants to be viewed as a 'woulda/shoulda/coulda'. It is very introspective and philosophical. She is a very talented author.