Great books, great friendships

I love the book club I'm in. We called ourselves Free Spirits Book Club, because we didn't want to have too many rules. The first book club I was in had alot of rules, and I thought most were ridiculous.

We meet on the 1st Wednesday of the month, right now alternating between a member's house for dinner and eating out. We don't have books picked out for the eating out meetings, and it's fun to just catch up with everybody over dinner without discussing a book (although with a bunch of read-fiends like us, books inevitably come up anyway).

We want everyone to come, even if they didn't finish the book (even if they didn't pick up the book), which I'm finding out is unusual for a book club. I think the only suggestions we have regarding book selections is no blatant religious or political topics that might offend someone. Other than that, anything goes. Along with plenty of current fiction, we've read a couple of non-fictions, a play, and historical fiction. I can't remember anyone choosing a classic yet. We might get some moans and groans, but I think everyone would at least try. I've read some great things I would have never picked up otherwise. And it's just so interesting to hear different perspectives. Our ages range from 30's to 60's, all of us with diverse backgrounds and outlooks. The only things you have to have in common is a love of reading and an appreciation of female frienships.

Even though I knew over half of them before the club started, the women in the club have all become even more special to me. I know we're getting at least one new member this month, and we have two more possibly thinking of joining, and I'm looking forward to hearing what they bring to the discussion. I'm determined to keep going even after the baby comes. I would miss everyone too much, and my soul needs it.

October Book Selection: (Sue's choice) The Reading Group by Elizabeth Noble
Review: 430 pages and I couldn't put it down. I read it in 4 days, some kind of record for me (plus I have alot of time on my hands at the moment). I could identify with several of the characters SO MUCH. It's about a group of women who form a reading group, and the twists and turns their lives each take throughout the first year of the group.