February's Book - Saturday by Ian McEwan

Ian McEwan is one of my favorite authors - I've enjoyed Atonement (a movie with Keira Knightley and James McAvoy) and On Chesil Beach, which was heartbreaking yet so beautiful that the sadness could be overlooked.

I've wanted to delve into more of his books because of his incredible way with the English language and have decided upon Saturday. Enjoy!

Questions for The Secret of Joy by Melissa Senate

I hope you all enjoyed the book! I am posting the questions and hopefully everyone can get around to answering them in the next week. Next Saturday, Mary will post her book choice and we all will get reading! Cannot wait to hear your responses.

1. Do words like family and sister hold meaning that goes deeper than genetics?
2. Rebecca makes a lot of major life choices without really thinking about them, going to Maine, getting a dog,renting a house and giving up half of her inheritance. Why do you think she is able to make these decisions so easily and confidently, even while acknowledging that she doesn't really know what she's doing?
3. On page 211, Marianne talks about the woman her husband had his second affair with, saying, "He was carrying on a sexual affair, and she thought she was having a love affair." Can you really differentiate between the two? Is one type of affair more forgivable than the other?
4. Why do you think Joy keeps the painting of her father hanging in her house when she seems so opposed to talking about him and acknowledging his role in her life?
5. Were Pia and Daniel equally wrong in their situation, having both known all the details? Or is Daniel more at fault because he was the one who has already married?
6. Do you think Michael is more concerned about securing his own future than he is about helping Rebecca make the right decision for herself?
7. Should Rebecca be at all grateful to her father for preserving her happy and stable childhood? What do you think would have been the right thing for him to do?
8. Did you enjoy the book? What was a part you really enjoyed? Hated?

Remember if you want to respond to someone please do so in your post, and remember to sign your name.

-Kaitlin

I'm Amanda

Hey there!  I've known Kaitlin since our freshman year of college.  We've gotten into all sorts of trouble since that time.  Okay, not a lot of trouble, but we've definitely had some adventures.  I've never been in a book club before, so this is my first time.  Since I'm in grad school, I've been really bad at keeping up with books that don't include a reference section.  However, I'll do my best to pick something that will be interesting to everyone.  I don't have any specific genres that I prefer to read, however, I'm always up for a good Chick Lit or humorous author.  I'm really excited about this opportunity and looking forward to seeing what everyone recommends. 

Just to make things all clear...

Loving all the posts Ladies!!! Cannot wait for the others.

There was a couple of questions and I just want to clear things up. Go ahead and start reading the book now and I will post the first "meeting" questions on February 12th and we will each respond within the week. If you have a response to someone's thoughts please do so in your post. At the end of that week the next book will be posted.

I do want to say that I want this to be a safe space. I know we are all grown ups, but a lot is lost since we are doing this digitally, so try not to take things personally and remember this space is meant to share our love of reading!!

Also, any blog posts can you sign your name so we make sure we know who is talking! =D

-Kaitlin

I'm Maighie!

Hello Everyone!  This is a picture of me at my desk 'cuz it's all I could muster while at work...not that I'm blogging while at work...Anyway!  I know Kaitlin through work and we have become fast friends over the last few years.  I am really excited about this book club and never thought about a virtual version, love it!  I haven't ever participated in a book club and have always wanted to, so THANKS KAITLIN!

I live in Portland and enjoy reading a wide variety of genres.  I am a fan of historical fiction and chick lit in particular.  I'm also a graduate student, so I read A LOT of text books and haven't had much time for recreational reading as of late.  But, this should hopefully help me to infuse my brain with more vibrant forms of reading material!   

Hey, I'm Danielle.
I have known Kaitlin sense third grade and have loved books ever sense I can remember. I like to refer to myself as a book whore simply because I will read almost anything. The best book i have read in a long time was Little Bee by Chris Cleave, this is actually the hardest questions someone can ask me, "What's your favorite book." there is obviously no way to answer that.
I am 25, I am a student at SOU studying Psychology and my minor is in Gender Sexuality and Women's studies and should be graduating this year. I have a son who is turning 3 this month and is my world. I work at blockbuster and am no good at helping customers because I would rather read than watch a movie.
So, all of the rambling I guess to say that I am excited about the book club. I can not wait to read great books and talk about them with people who love books like me.

Hi, my name is Mary

I've been friends with Kaitlin for a few years and we'd previously discussed having a book club of our own...only for me to move out of state. So I am really looking forward to this one and am glad that everything worked out.

As the daughter of a librarian, I have a natural affinity for reading, though admittedly I haven't done nearly as much reading as I should! When I worked at a library I was reading between 5-10 books at a time and now I dawdle through one...maybe two. My favorite genre is probably chick lit although I majored in Nonfiction Creative Writing in college. But don't worry - I don't read romance novels. :) My favorite authors are Sarah Dessen (Along for the Ride), Curtis Sittenfield (Prep), and Ian McEwan (Atonement). I rarely read books that are on the bestsellers list - I don't have anything against them necessarily, but I haven't found as many books I love (DaVinci Code, anyone?)

I also love to read about all things food - my favorite food writers are Ruth Reichl, Gary Nabhan, and Jeffrey Steingarten. Barbara Kingsolver, famous for a few of her novels, wrote a captivating book with her husband and eldest daughter about the year they lived fully sustainable and I loved how easily she moved from fiction to non-fiction - she kept it vastly interesting in spite of its genre. :) (Btw, the book is entitled, Animal, Vegetable, Miracle).

I'm excited to take part in this club and generate discussions with everyone here! Gooooooooooooo books!

Welcome to the Outta Town Book Club

Welcome Ladies!!!

Thank you for joining this book club. This blog is created for all of you ladies. You were given the login information, but please only use it for posting blogs!

Every month we will discuss the books in a forum situation here on the blog, then the person next in line with tell us what the next book is! Only two things I ask when choosing your books is nothing to smutty and nothing brand new, that way we can utilize the library system without having to wait a long time.

The way I will set up the line of people who pick up books is by introductions! Everyone needs to post a short sentence, paragraph, or whole blog about who you are! Why you joined this book club and what genres you enjoy! And anything else you would like to share. The order in which you respond will be how we set up the list.

I started this on the suggestion of my dear friend Maighie. I have been reading some fantastic books lately but have had no one to share them with. Now I get too!!! I am looking forward to this unique style of book club. Since I set up the book club I will pick the first book! I am picking The Secret of Joy by Melissa Senate! I look forward to hearing all about you guys and discussing books.

Have fun reading!