You are all so wonderful. Kath started me out with some great suggestions and the rest of you are equally brilliant. Let me see if I can add more info. We don't get LOTS of snacks, but we get some GOOD snacks. I like the idea of everyone bringing a plate or a snack. That seems a fair compromise. Our reading is a bit limited due to our shared interests: the books must be based in the UK - from Beowulf to Bridget Jones, but they must be based in the UK. I think it is limited, but perhaps not by that much. The members all tell me that it is just lovely and fantastic and wonderful but yet... but yet... commitment is a big problem. Jan mentioned charging. Since it isn't really a class and we have no handouts at all, I don't think that will work too well. I can see how paying for something increases the level of commitment, but I honestly think it would be viewed in a negative manner. It is a rather small community and most of these folks I see on a regular basis on a social level or at the schools. cece and bookmom both suggested that we meet in restaurants. This idea is simply grand. I will approach everyone and see how they feel about it. It would definitely take a lot of pressure off of the hostess. And we could order food/drinks if we wanted them or not. And, like bookmom said, the hostess's family wouldn't be umm, interferring. Time of day is an issue. We have three stay at home moms who gave up professional jobs to raise kids. And two women who work full time. Daytime meetings aren't really an option at this point with our current members. And interestingly enough, it's not just the moms that show up or just the moms that don't respond, it's everyone. I think at this point, I'd be just as happy if people showed up who have not read the book just to have people attend. Maybe I am just too "into" reading and for the others it is more of a hobby, something they do IF they have time. I MAKE time for reading in my day. I do not know how they feel about books and reading, I only know how I feel about books and reading. Perhaps it's not that they aren't committed, but perhaps I am overly committed. (I am going TO BE committed if I keep over-analyzing this, aren't I??) Do your book clubs have commitment problems? I know some of you mentioned that your members are commited and that you hound the ones that don't show up.. that's hilarious! I envy that very much. My other book club seems more commited... the books are worse, but the level of commitment is greater. We all get along really well when we finally do get together. I think the biggest problem is the commitment to the club. For example, the meeting is tonight. I've heard from one person to say whether or not she'll be here (she won't be attending as she's out of town.) From the others, nothing but silence. Like Liz, I am the instigator. I started it all. It is my fault that the ground rules were specific about books, but not...

Annie, here is our complete list from the 2015 'season' with my assessments:) The Boston Girl - didn't finish it, so boring and cliche I could not take it anymore after first few chapters The Martian - LOVED it! Definitely recommend for a book club; you need not have a smidgeon of technology interest or know how to get sucked into this well written story A Manual for Cleaning Women - I was the only one who finished this book; well written but one of the most depressing books I've read in years (it was my book too!) The Last Chinese Chef - excellent; nice blend of easy reading with some good solid thematic work on families, culture clash, belonging and finding one's passion In the Midst of Life - also very good; a somewhat challenging to find book written by a woman who was a nurse in England in the 50s-60s; deals with death and has a lot of wisdom and a very common sense though caring voice The Nightingale and The Girl on the Train - both popular fave choices. Detested The Nightingale, what a potboiler (romance novelist does WWII, nuff said). Enjoyed TGOT but it was pure formula, done well but nothing to write home about Turn Right at Machu Picchu - wonderful, wasn't at all sure I wanted to read it but a great mix of travel, history and a very funny wry narrating voice

I'm going to join this bookclub when I retire. They call themselves 'Faith and Fiction', and a friend has invited me and sent me a list of the books they have read. They have been together since 2002. Here are the most recent ones on their list: January The Melody of Secrets by Jeffrey Stepakoff February Mr. Perumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan March Orhan’s Inheritance by Aline Ohanesian April The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah May The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson June The Sound of Gravel by Ruth Wariner July The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende August Queen Sugar by Natalie Baszile September The Tilted World by Tom Franklin and Beth Ann fennelly October The People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks November The Professor by Robert Bailey December Dollbaby by Laura Lane McNeal 2017 January My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout February Dear Carolina by Kristy Woodson Harvey March Commonwealth by Ann Patchett April Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance May Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi June The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb by Melanie Benjamin July Swing Time by Zadie Smith August The Wonder by Emma Donaghue

Martha, I enjoyed reading your blog about your cookbook club. Sounds like y'all have great fun and super road trips! (Click on photo to see full recipe) I made this recipe the month that we had a brunch theme. It is from the Birmingham Junior League Tables of Content cookbook. If you need a meat to pair with it, try Millionaire Bacon. I first ate Millionaire Bacon at Fred's Coffee Shop in Sausalito, CA. It was divine. I use the recipe below from BaconToday.com, except I cut back on the cayenne and black pepper. I probably only use 1/2 teaspoon of each. And, 5 Tablespoons of brown sugar will only cover a bit over a 1/2 lb of bacon for me. Millionaire Bacon 1 pound of thick-cut bacon 5 tbsp packed brown sugar 1 tsp. Cayenne Pepper 1 tsp. Black Pepper Directions: Line a baking pan with foil. Combine all of your spices and sugar together into a bowl and mix thoroughly. If you want your bacon more coated in sweet and spicy flavor, add more ingredients to your liking. Apply liberally to each strip of bacon by taking each strip and hand rubbing them. Bake until crisp for 20- 30 minutes (depending upon your crispy liking). Please let your bacon cool a little after you’ve made this recipe. NOTE from bbstx: Keep a close eye on the bacon after about the 15 minute mark. The ends will burn. I sometimes cover the ends with strips of foil to prevent burning. Do not attempt to drain this bacon on paper towels. You will end up picking little pieces of paper off the very sticky bacon - or, if you're like me, you'll get frustrated and just eat the little giblets of paper!