Monday Moments - The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler

 From the prologue:

Each of us has a private Austen.   Jocelyn's Austen wrote wonderful novels about love and courtship, but never married.  Bernadette's Austen was a comic genius. Prudie's Austen was somber. Allegra would have shelved Austen in  the horror  section. Sylvia was newly divorced and needed to be distracted. And then there was the man Jocelyn invited to the club - Grigg. None of them knew who  Grigg's Austen was. 

The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler is amusing, especially if you, the reader, enjoy Jane Austen. You'll enjoy the references and discussions. You'll enjoy the real life that is running alongside the six months of book club meetings.  Marriages are tested. Affairs are begun. Feelings are hurt. And then there's love, gosh darn it. 

cover blurb - This is the novel that Jane Austen might have written had she lived in 2014 California. Sublime social comedy. 

I laughed out loud. I enjoyed this very light summer read.  Another $1 library sale and worth every penny. 

Finally Friday - Euphoria by Lily King

 Euphoria by Lily King has absolutely NOTHING to do with the HBO series Euphoria starring Zendaya. 

I learned this after buying the book for  $1 at my library sale. I  went by title only and I like this author. 

SURPRISE!  ha

cover blurb - Three young, gifted anthropologists in the 1930s are caught in a passionate love triangle that threatens their bonds, careers, and ultimately their lives.  

Studying a tribe on  the Sepik River in  New Guinea, Andrew Bankson is close to suicide. Then the famous Nell Stone and her Aussie husband Fen arrive in the area. He's enthralled and promises to lead them to a new tribe. The TAM are an artistic female led group.  Ultimately their groundbreaking work will make history, but not without sacrifice.

Lily King wrote an intriguing novel based on Margaret Mead. Desire, passion, and possession.  Maybe the book is a bit like the Zendaya show (a few less drugs!)  Good writing. A worthy read. 

Whatever Wednesday - Summer Amusement

A little Wednesday summer amusement. I am currently in DE hanging with my sister. I created this post before leaving.  Here's some summer lovin' - our new flamingo and unicorn floats seem to adore each other. 

And if you remember Christmas 2025, Myles was not happy on Santa's lap.   Well, Summer Santa is not a fave either. 

Poor kid - traumatized by the summer of 2026. 

Hope you folks are not in tears, unless it's tears of joy or laughter. I'm having fun back east. 

Stay cool. Find a pool float!
 

Monday Moments - Ray had his Day

August 1st was Ray's 70th birthday.  That is worthy of another post.  Here's the birthday king ready to celebrate in front of his picture gallery
 

This very yummy cake from Texas Star Bakery had the pickleball theme - Ray's current obsession. He bought himself a new paddle as his birthday treat.  Look out competition!

Over forty people showed up for the pool  party.  Quite the fun crowd.  Everyone enjoyed pizza, wings, margaritas, beer, and plenty of water.

The Texas heat cooperated - it was 98 or so with a good breeze. We did have  plenty of shade, and folks were inside too - playing games like Scattergories. 

Ray had his Day!  

Finally Friday - Not Just a Book Club

cover blurb - Margaret Ryan never really meant to start a book club... or a feminist revolution in her buttoned-up suburb.  
 

The Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick is a hoot with strong characters grappling with their roles in the 1960s. 

cover blurb - Cocktails and a discussion of The Feminine Mystique allows the women to see the cracks in the American dream they've been sold. Four very different women share secrets, tears, triumphs, angst, and arguments. This will prove to be the most consequential and freeing year of their lives. Margaret, Charlotte, Bitsy and Viv learn the power of sisterhood during a tumultuous year. 

I enjoyed this book a lot, especially considering where things are in 2026 and what direction things are headed for women.  Steps forward, steps backward. It's fiction, but strikes close to the heart of matters. 

p. 337 Margaret's been invited to a gathering headed by Katharine Graham (Washington Post fame). Mrs. Graham says, "This town is all about connections, Margaret, and there's not a woman in this room who isn't worth knowing. Just remember one thing. A friend can give you a leg up to see what's on  the other side of the wall, but you've got to pull yourself over the top. Understand? 

Yep - wise words to remember.  Good trouble!  

Whatever Wednesday - Gone Before Forgotten

 Gone Before Goodbye unites authors Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben in a suspenseful and successful collaboration.  Maggie McCabe, highly skilled and renowned Army combat surgeon, is at a low point. Her medical license is revoked, she's lost her purpose, and takes on a job from a former colleague - an elite plastic surgeon. 

An anonymous client, crazy money, total discretion. What could go wrong?

cover blurb - Maggie does her job in this realm of unspeakable opulence. But when the patient suddenly disappears while still under her care, Maggie must become a fugitive herself - or she will be the next one who is..

gone...before...goodbye. 

Yikes! 

This is a total fun summer pool kind of read. Brain  candy for the summer heat.  Enjoy!

Monday Moments - More Than Enough by Anna Quindlen

More Than  Enough by Anna Quindlen is a good solid read. I love that it's about the fact that your book club knows a lot about you. From book choices to discussions to the after book discussions, Polly Goodman, an English teacher counts on these close friends. The club friends give her an ancestry kit as a joke. She matches with a stranger and that causes Polly to look at family history. Polly learns how friendships can change your life. 

Polly after meeting with Barbara -  Sometimes our minds protect us, but not enough. You walk along with this pain in your head, thinking about things you know, the things you've discovered, the things you've lost, and all those things that run around and around in your mind, like a stone in your shoe. And then everyday life saves you. Weather talk - maybe snow, maybe rain. You go to the laundromat and a neighbor ask if you have detergent. Life happens. 

Anna Quindlen draws you in with her writing and her characters. You are along for Polly's search and solutions to a life mystery. Twists and turns and surprises amidst ordinary life.  Enjoy the journey.