Book Club: The Bronxville Book Club

Have you ever wanted to join a book club? Around six years ago Janene and I were invited by a mutual friend to join a group of book worms (and wannabe book worms) to form a casual group that would meet monthly to discuss a variety of books.  At the time I was a a new mom of two--and it was around that time that the seed for "More than Mommies" was planted (believe it or not).

You don't think things happen for a reason?  When I decided to join  book club I was lonely -- virtually friendless -- with no girlfriends nearby to commiserate with and be supported by. I was a stay at home mom with two little girls and my youngest had special needs that were demanding and draining me of my own health and well being. I was giving the very best of myself to her (and my oldest) and I was keeping my head just above water. I didn't know any better at the time--I thought this is what being a mom was: Putting EVERYTHING second to the new little people in my life.

When I didn't recognize the bedraggled woman staring back at me from the full length mirror in my bedroom I took the first steps to finding her: "The More Than Mommy" who was hiding deep under layers of crusted baby food, eye baggage, sagging skin and thinning hair. I joined a faith sharing group at my church and met a fellow young mother (Not by chance I tell you and I think she would agree!). She started a book club and extended the invitation. I accepted.

Shortly after joining, I met Janene, I didn't know her before or outside of book club. Somewhere along the way, Janene introduced me to blogging (I had written on-line before when I kept a Care Page for Ava--but I wasn't familiar with the blog world). She had been blogging at Perfecting Imperfection for a while. I decided to start a blog called What Little Girls are Made of.  Less than a year ago (after adding two more kids a piece), Janene invited me to join forces, and More than Mommies was born. Within the first month of blogging together, we decided to open our real life book club to our online friends at More than Mommies. And here we are...full circle...my friends.  Except on this side of the circle, I am a fuller, happier, and better mommy than I was when I began!

When we picked The Bronxville Book Club by Pamela Hackett Hobson as our pick this month, I was personally excited. I had high hopes for this book because I thought there could be lots of potential for an interesting story, diverse characters, and a moving experience.  Well, that isn't what we got with this book.

I've been dreading sitting down to write this book club re-cap.

I am a careful reader/writer who tries to see the best in a book. When most of our fellow book clubbers say they "hate it", I tend to think about the writer--pouring his/her life and soul into weaving a story--and I can find something about it to appreciate.

So here is what I will say about The Bronxville Book Club:

 This book proves to me that not everyone is meant to write a book. Honestly, I feel cheated by this writer.

There is no substance here. No plot, no riveting characters, no moving story. Nothing really to talk about--except that the characters of this book are stereotypical and lifeless, each of them cast from the exact same mold--despite their varying occupations and backgrounds.

So what do we do at a book club meeting when the book doesn't provide a fodder for discussion? Well, we talk about our lives: caring for aging parents, sharing fears about raising teenagers, discussing the timing of  "THE talk" with our kids and asking for advice about the right time to allow our daughters to shave their legs and/or wear makeup, among other things. Regardless of my thoughts about this book (it sucked), I can not think of a better way that I could spend a couple hours each month--honestly, I love our group and I love those ladies!

I know that many of our real life book clubbers will click over to the blog today to read this month's recap, so I ask that you leave us a comment and tell us how book club changed you or what you get from it each month. Why do you keep reading, but specifically, why do you keep reading with our book club?

And if you are new to More than Mommies I hope you'll stick around!  Tell us in the comments, why you would like to join a book club, or what reading has meant to you (our group is not exclusive though--anyone can join us!) Learn more about our book club and join us for next month when we discuss:

You can purchase your copy right from this page or visit the More than Mommies Shop to look at previous selections and purchase your copies. Follow our Book Club Pinterest Board. Join the discussion on Facebook by liking us or Tweet with us!

and Happy Reading!

{Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links!}

Click on the ad to visit our Highlight Sponsor of the month and visit our Sponsor Us page to find out how you can see your blog or business here: