The Confession

 
We definitely had a love hate relationship with The Confession, by John Grisham. This book was about capital punishment, karma, racism, and the broken judicial system in America. This legal thriller follows the story of a black man on death row for a murder he didn't commit. When the real killer confesses his crime to a pastor in another state, the plot takes some unexpected twists and turns.
  
During our book club discussion, we talked about social injustice in the legal system. Though this is a fictitious novel, the situation faced by the wrongly accused has actually been experienced by black people in America for centuries. This book really does make you want to take a good look at social inequalities and capital punishment, whether you agree with it or not because it is clear that are some serious flaws.

In 2010, our book club, Women Wine and Word, started out as a brilliant idea from one of our members (we call her the queen). We meet once a month to discuss our books, eat some food, drink a little wine, and have a great time with our friends.

We invite you to check out our monthly blogs, browse through our reading list, or take a peek at our book reviews (FYI- only a few books have received 5/5 wine glasses).

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Dark Tide

This month's selection was "Dark Tide".  We chose this book because we enjoyed Elizabeth Haynes first book, “Into the Darkest Corner". It opened our minds to the mental health issues, and in hopes to learn more we read on.

However this book was completely opposite, Genevieve, the main character finds herself stressed from the demands of her sales job and constantly searching to fulfill her dreams of living aboard a houseboat. As time goes by Genevieve wants out faster and finds herself a position at less-than-reputable gentlemen's club. Once she had enough money she purchased her fixer upper boat and left London. While settling into her new place and lifestyle her old life knocked on the boat door.

This book bring the questions, would you do whatever it takes to be happy or would you settle for a 9-5.  

In 2010, our book club, Women Wine and Word, started out as a brilliant idea from one of our members (we call her the queen). We meet once a month to discuss our books, eat some food, drink a little wine, and have a great time with our friends.

We invite you to check out our monthly blogs, browse through our reading list, or take a peek at our book reviews (FYI- only a few books have received 5/5 wine glasses).

Follow us and share your comments!

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Gone Girl

When Nick Dunne's wife goes missing on their fifth-wedding anniversary, his status quickly changes from grieving spouse to prime suspect. During the investigation, the police find various clues leading them to suspect Nick: secrets, a rocky marriage, increased life insurance policy, staged crime scene and his wife's journal. 

Though this book had an interesting concept, it started off too slow for us. (Most of our members lost interest during the first half.) There were too many flashbacks and loads of useless details. However, if you can hang in there until part two: Boy Meets Girl, the storyline takes off and the details proved to be significant in tying the mystery together.

During our discussion, we thought about karma and how far people will go to ensure justice is served. Sometimes forgiveness can be as simple as accepting that an apology is sincerely from the heart and find ways to move forward from a situation.  On the other hand, though some people may forgive, they never forget.

Your thoughts: Do you believe in karma? If you have read the book, do you think all the characters got what they deserved? Is it truly possible to forgive and forget?

In 2010, our book club, Women Wine and Word, started out as a brilliant idea from one of our members (we call her the queen). We meet once a month to discuss our books, eat some food, drink a little wine, and have fun with our friends.

We invite you to check out our monthly blogs, browse through our reading list, or take a peek at our book reviews (FYI - only a few books have received 5/5 wine glasses).

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Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

This month's selection was "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan".  The book provided us a lot of insight into some 19th century cultural practices.  In general, we found the book slow however, we were fascinated by the graphic descriptions of feet among Chinese women of status.

The narrative around friendships, life-long bonds and the complexities within families of origin, as well as marital families, was sometimes disturbing.  As women, we found the perpetual cycle of abuse towards women unsettling. This novel invoked anger and a sense of frustration in all of us.

Although she was difficult at times to understand, we found Lilly, the narrator of the story, somewhat compelling as she shares many of our own faults.  Her relationship with Sunflower, her life long loatong "same old", was one of loyalty and trust and in the end betrayal and guilt.  This begs the question, "Can a true relationship be built on lies?"

In the end, although Snowflower was of a lower social status, it was Lilly who spent a lifetime trying to emulate her grace.

Is it better to forgive yourself than to be forgiven?    

Feel free to share your thoughts.

In 2010, our book club, Women Wine and Word, started out as a brilliant idea from one of our members (we call her the queen). We meet once a month to discuss our books, eat some food, drink a little wine, and have fun with our friends.

We invite you to check out our monthly blogs, browse through our reading list, or take a peek at our book reviews (FYI - only a few books have received 5/5 wine glasses).

Follow us and share your comments!

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Sickened

Munchausen by proxy (MBP) is the world’s most hidden and dangerous form of child abuse, in which the caretaker—almost always the mother—invents or induces symptoms in her child because she craves the attention of medical professionals.

The memoir Sickened , by Julia Gregory, provided a detailed account of the child abuse she suffered at the hands of her parents. Though her experience was extremely difficult to read at times, this story was informative and very well written.

During our book club discussion,  we realized this was the first time we ever heard about this form of abuse. We also recognized that there are many people around the world, and in our communities, who suffer from things we can't even imagine.

Abuse in any form is difficult to deal with alone. It is important to have a strong support group, or individual, to confide in. Our book club started out as a cool way to connect with like-minded ladies, and has evolved over the years into an unbreakable bond of sister who love and support each other.

Please feel free to share your thoughts on this memoir or your own book club! 

Happy reading!

In 2010, our book club, Women Wine and Word, started out as a brilliant idea from one of our members (we call her the queen). We meet once a month to discuss our books, eat some food, drink a little wine, and have great times with our friends.

We invite you to check out our monthly blogs, browse through our reading list, or take a peek at our book reviews (FYI- only a few books have received 5/5 wine glasses).

Follow us and share your comments below!

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The Four Agreements

June 2013

The Four Agreements is described as a new-age self-help book filled with insightful and thought-provoking content. Though the author provided some  practical guidelines to finding freedom, we were all thoroughly disappointed with this one.

We enjoyed the overall concept of this book and made a few connections to our personal lives during our book club discussion. Unfortunately, we didn't find anything profound or mind-blowing in his delivery of these agreements. There was a lot of fluff, repetition and the writing was weak. At times it felt a bit juvenile as though it were written by a teenage boy trying to find himself. 

Hopefully we can save you some time by summing up this boook for you:

1) Be impeccable with your word
2) Don't take anything personally
3) Don't make assumptions

4) Always do your best

10 thumbs down! 

(We would have given this book zero wine glasses out of five, but one is the lowest.)

In 2010, our book club, Women Wine and Word, started out as a brilliant idea from one of our members (we call her the queen). We meet once a month to discuss our books, eat some food, drink a little wine, and have fun with our friends.

We invite you to check out our monthly blogs, browse through our reading list, or take a peek at our book reviews (FYI - only a few books have received 5/5 wine glasses).

Follow us and share your comments!

WomenWineandWordsBookclub.blogspot.com

The Uglies

May 2013

There were mixed reviews in our group about The Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. While some members appreciated the young, care-free, teenybopper-like feel of the book, others could have done without it. The entire group did, however, enjoy the creative, futuristic plot about young people challenging the ideas of a utopian society.

This book was easy to read and very well written. We often found ourselves getting lost in the dramatic plot and alluring characters (Tally Youngblood, David, the pretties and the uglies). We have to admit that this one really got our imaginations going.

Though we all agreed that this was a page real page turner, only some of the group members are interested in reading the other books in this four-part series.

In 2010, our book club, Women Wine and Word, started out as a brilliant idea from one of our members (we call her the queen). We meet once a month to discuss our books, eat some food, drink a little wine, and have fun with our friends.

We invite you to check out our monthly blogs, browse through our reading list, or take a peek at our book reviews (FYI - only a few books have received 5/5 wine glasses).

Follow us and share your comments!

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Into the Darkest Corner

April 2013

In this book the author, Elizabeth Haynes, opened our minds by bringing awareness to mental health issues. This book was written as a mystery and allowed us to feel the exhaustion one might feel when diagnosed/living with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Catherine Bailey was the main character in this novel. When we first started reading this book, we thought Catherine's behaviour and actions were bizarre, questionable and huge waste of time. However, as the storyline and character progressed, we realized that her actions were justified and provided her with a sense of relief.

We enjoyed Into the Darkest Corner! The author kept our attention by flipping from present to past and used a clever ending to tie everything together.

In 2010, our book club, Women Wine and Word, started out as a brilliant idea from one of our members (we call her the queen). We meet once a month to discuss our books, eat some food, drink a little wine, and have fun with our friends.

We invite you to check out our monthly blogs, browse through our reading list, or take a peek at our book reviews (FYI - only a few books have received 5/5 wine glasses).

Follow us and share your comments!

WomenWineandWordsBookclub.blogspot.com

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

This novel tells the story of Henrietta Lacks and her infamous HeLa cells. Many may not know this but Henrietta's cells are the foundation of modern medical science. This book brings many emotions to the surface, anger, for how Henrietta was exploited; fear, for her family and our society; betrayed, by the doctors, Henrietta's family; and enlightened by the knowledge. At the end of the book there is a feeling of gratitude, that this story was told.

Before we read this book we knew nothing of Henrietta Lacks, her cells or their contribution to science. Her story opened our eyes to how much more we need to learn about our heritage and who we are as black people. It also taught us that despite the negative ways that we are portrayed throughout history, our contributions can not be dismissed or overlooked. However, it is our responsibility to educate ourselves and our children, and to ensure that these stories are never forgotten. If we share theses stories it will propel us to live a life that is above average. One that is worthy of the sacrifices of those who have gone before us. Otherwise, they die in vain.

There are so many more stories that allow us to understand why we are the way we are. Until we know these stories we will never be able to truly talk and come to terms about our past.

In 2010, our book club, Women Wine and Word, started out as a brilliant idea from one of our members (we call her the queen). We meet once a month to discuss our books, eat some food, drink a little wine, and have fun with our friends.

We invite you to check out our monthly blogs, browse through our reading list, or take a peek at our book reviews (FYI - only a few books have received 5/5 wine glasses).

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The Twelve Tribes of Hattie

“Hattie knew her children did not think her a kind woman—perhaps she wasn’t, but there hadn’t been time for sentiment when they were young. She had failed them in vital ways, but what good would it have done to spend the days hugging and kissing if there hadn’t been anything to put in their bellies? They didn’t understand that all the love she had was used up in feeding them and clothing them and preparing them to meet the world. The world would not love them; the world would not be kind.”

Excerpt From: Ayana, Mathis. “The Twelve Tribes of Hattie.” Knopf, 2012-06-22. iBooks. 

This material may be protected by copyright.

This quote sums up the life of Hattie Shepherd. Though she seems to be a cold, stoic, and heartless mother in reality she took care of them the best way she knew how. She lived in survival mode and used these instincts to provide the basic needs for her children, but in the end we realized that it takes more than that to raise healthy children. Her children suffer from emotional, social, and mental challenges that can be traced back to the lack of their mother's love and support. If she had paid more attention to those needs, her children may have been better off. At the end of the book, we think that she tried to redeem herself through her granddaughter Sala, but she fell short. In Hattie's mind,  has never experienced grace, so she doesn't show grace to her children or her husband. In the end, Hattie doesn't allow Sala to accept grace from a God that she thinks has forsaken her.  

So we have learned that when you try to exist in your own strength (she didn't want help from August, the government, those around her, or even God) you will fall short. If we allow His strength to be made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), then we see the blessing and grace of God in our darkest hours.


Check out our wine glass review for this book.

In 2010, our book club, Women Wine and Word, started out as a brilliant idea from one of our members (we call her the queen). We meet once a month to discuss our books, eat some food, drink a little wine, and have fun with our friends.

We invite you to check out our monthly blogs, browse through our reading list, or take a peek at our book reviews (FYI - only a few books have received 5/5 wine glasses).

Follow us and share your comments!

WomenWineandWordsBookclub.blogspot.com

Welcome to Women Wine and Words

"I've always known that life is better when you share it. I now realize it gets even sweeter when you expand the circle." —Oprah

Two and a half years ago I started a book club to become well read, help improve my grammatical skills and expand my social network with other women who had similar interests.  I can now say 2.5 years later I have the privilege of exploring a variety of authors and their novels from different genres with a set of dedicated women who have enriched my life more then words can describe.

 If you too are looking for a book club to join please feel free to look through our book list.  If you're an avid reader and would like to play catch up from the previous years, by all means deep dive and let us know your opinion of the book(s) by commenting on the blog. If starting your journey from the beginning a bit to ambitious, going forward is too always welcomed. 

Now, I will confess I'm not the strongest reader and I have been left in India (our first book Eat Pray Love, I only made it to India before my interest started to diminish and before I could get a second wind it was our meeting time to discuss) an "inside" now "outside" joke.  Have no fear!  However, do be warned you will be subjected to spoiler alerts. 


Welcome to Women Wine and Words it's nice to meet you!



Sincerely,


Monique G.  xOoX