Book Club : December 2025

 I had Book Club on Thursday afternoon.  The book was The Switch by Beth O'Leary

On my scale of 1 to 10  I give it a 4.   It was a lot of fluff and not much substance.  I enjoyed the 79 year old woman in the book and her outlook.  However I would not read the book again. 

Seems like it has been forever since I have read a page turner!  

Recommendations are always welcome!

Friday was a quiet day, toward evening Jen and I went to Michaels. Far Guy waited in the car. He people watched and talked to my sister on the phone whilst we were in the store!

No yarn was purchased just watercolor paper for more cards. 

Far Side

Book Club: November 2025

 This month for Book Club we read Alice's Tulips by Sandra Dallas.

I enjoyed it very much!  It is historical fiction set in the Civil War from a young bride's view that she writes in letters to her sister.  I give it a nine out of a ten.  Parts of it I would have written differently...but that is just me being judgy. 

All of the gals in the book club liked it...it was one of my suggestions. So far I have liked all the Sandra Dallas books I have read.  Persian Pickle Club, Westering Women and true sisters all were excellent reads. 

Far Side

Book Club 2025: October

 The book for this month was  Kristin Lavransdatter:1 The Bridal Wreath by Sigrid Undset.  It is Historical Fiction that takes place in 14th Century Norway. 

This book is the first book in a trilogy.  So naturally when I found all three books I bought them all in anticipation of a really good read.

Uffda.  It was a slow forced read that I did not enjoy.  I give it a 4 out of a possible 10.  Everyone else seemed to really like it and they all plan to read the series.  Not me...one of the gals said she was not able to find the books so I dropped them all off in her mail box yesterday.  That is one way to clear books out of this house!!!

Usually I like Historical Fiction....so this book was a disappointment.

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Book Club 2025: September

 For book club this month we read The River We Remember by William Kent Krueger.  All of the ladies enjoyed the book.  I give it a 9 out of a 10.  I did not like two parts of the book and I cannot see why he wrote them the way he did...so it is a 9 not a 10.   Three fourths the way through the book I wrote the ending in my mind...and it was nothing like the way it ended. Go figure.

It was still a good read.  One of the gals in book club went to the book signing by William Kent Krueger in Park Rapids last weekend and she said it was very interesting and that he talks just like he writes. 

Far Side

Book Club 2025: August

 Yesterday was once a year in person book club meeting.  I did not attend.  I sent my regrets and a score of 7 out of 10 for The Funeral Ladies of Ellerie County by Claire Swinarski. 

I enjoyed the book.  It was a good read. 

Far Side

Book Club : July

 Yesterday was a busy day. I accompanied Far Guy back to our home in the woods, I kinda rested there while he went to his Infusion appointment.  My baby brother sprayed for ants outside for me. I got to pet Baxter and Smudge and then I relaxed in my recliner until Far Guy came back and then we drove the 2 1/2 hours back to East Grand Forks. I did well in the car but appreciated the rest at home…I also had a nap in the car on the way back.

We got back just in time for July Book Club the book was A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

I give it a 4 out of 10 for subject matter and the writer an 8 out of 10 because it is well written. The gals mostly agreed. 

We had a quick supper and then we played POOL with Sadie to tire her out after she had a quiet day sleeping at home! It was a hot day the high according to the car was 91 F.

After reading the book for book club we should all be doubly thankful that we live in the United States of America! Happy 4th of July!!

Far Side

Book Club 2025: June

 I picked the book for June.  

The Passing of the Night by Colonel Robinson Risner.   I read it a number of years ago and I read it again.  Colonel Risner gave the sermon on Thanksgiving at MacDill AFB in 1973 when we were stationed there.  I was impressed by his strong faith that endured for seven years...and that one Thanksgiving he was thankful for a toothbrush and a sliver of soap.  

Kinda puts everything in a different perspective. 

I give the book a 9.5 on my scale of 1 -10. Vietnam was hell...for the soldiers and especially for the Prisoners of War.   Was it a happy feel good read..no...but he told it like it was. 

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Book Club 2025 : May

 I missed last months Book Club because we were traveling to a Doctor's appointment.

April's read was a mystery called Still Life by Lousie Penny, the book takes place in Canada.  I give it a 7 maybe...I usually don't read mysteries.   All the gals liked it.

May's read takes place in Minnesota.  A story well written although there were many characters to keep track of...there were some very memorable characters which include a young man in high school.  I gave the book a 9 out of a 10.  I think I will try to read something else by this author.  Lorna Landvik wrote Chronicles of a Radical Hag. Everyone enjoyed the book. 

Now I will begin reading something totally different by Debbie Macomber...the Rose Harbor Series before I read the really heavy depressing but uplifting June Book Club read...I have read it before and have heard the Author speak. 

Read on!  Oh yes I ordered a few more books. Read 3 ordered some more...total is now 58.  I should be good for a while.  I order my books through Thrift Books because they have free shipping and occasionally I get a free book. 

BTW my book club is all wives of Veterans and it is virtual, it is headed by one of the VA Social Workers...we also have time to share about crafts we are working on. 

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Book Club X 2

 Book Club in February read Mrs Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini.  I give it 8 stars out of 10, it was a very good Historical Fiction book, based on many things that actually happened. 

Book Club in March was The Secret Life of Sunflowers by Marta Molnar.  I give it a 9 out of a 10 because I really enjoyed the book!  It is also Historical Fiction.

I just finished another book that Jen left for me to read,  Far Guy is reading it now...fun to have discussion with him about books. 

We did the usual Thursday things, I accompanied Far Guy to his infusion.  I picked up some fruit and eggs from Aldi and we went out to lupper.  Maddie came by and did some household chores and Noah took Sadie for a walk.  In the afternoon, I put my feet up in the Movie Room and began to watch Territory on Netflix...so far I am enjoying it(while crocheting)! 

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Book Club 2025: January

 This month we read Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann.

I gave the book a 8.5 out of a 10.   It is a non fiction book based on facts.  The subject matter should have been in a High School United States History Class...but I do not recall that it was. 

Most of the gals in book club appreciated the book...not enjoyed...because the subject matter was a tad gruesome at times. 

The yarn in the photo is very dark...a new project I am working on...actually I am working on two different crochet patterns for the same thing and we will see how it all turns out. 

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