Your long-awaited pick for the first AJPT Controversial Books Only Book Club is here! We'll be gathering in-person (or video if you can't) at Jane's place to talk about it. First: Want to see who won?
I was considering giving a choice of Monday or Wednesday or Friday because SOME people go out on Friday night, but I just went for it and I'm so glad you into it too. Eight is too early to go out anyway!
It’s such a good memoir and sadly I related to a lot of it as a caregiver. I’ve been shocked and concerned over how many reviewers and posts have only focused on the dementia and not the alcoholism and basically said she’s exploiting her mother when it’s clearly much more complex than that (as most things in life are imo). Looking forward to this discussion.
Oh Rachel, I'm so glad you will be part of the discussion because you'll bring so much to it. This is already fascinating to me. I have not cracked open the book yet, but I'm getting it tomorrow. Now I'm even more excited. Thank you!
It’s a fast read and I think for anyone with an alcoholic parent or a distant parent they will appreciate her take (and so will other people). I’m usually halfway through my book club’s book when we meet (it’s a very casual one where we mainly socialize) so it’ll be nice to have read the entire book!
Perfect and then I can fill your role of being the one who has read half of it, because that is a likely scenario. Thanks again for being so supportive.
A memoir worth checking out is Uncorked: A Memoir of Letting Go and Starting Over.
Don't be fooled into thinking this funny, open-hearted, soulful howl of a book is only for those on a sober journey -- this is a universal grab-you-by-the-collar-and-hold-you-wide-eyed-close kind of memoir that can inspire all of us.
I'm ordering it right now. It sounds like something I will love. Plus, I feel like I know that author and even her face in her bio picture is so familiar. I'll figure that out and thank you for the recommendation again!
OMFG, I am in. I was on the fence until I saw the book you selected. I’m going to buy it and put the first meeting on my calendar! This is also the first book club I have ever joined so any of the rules you decide, Jane, will work for me! Yay 🎉🥂
Awesome! We will make them up together! For example, earlier today I asked Corynne are we supposed to do chats or some kind of meeting every week as we are all reading it? Because I thought that's what my mom had done in her book groups. But Corynne said not necessary. So I guess we'll just do them haphazardly here in comments and on random chats when any of us wants to check in with each other on what we've read so far. ?
virtual! I am not brave enough to come in person (yet), maybe the next one!!! Funny bc I have hosted an in person book club in NYC (obsessed on bookclubs.com) for 4 years but I still get anxiety each and every time!
Haha yes bring that just in case, please! I can keep it with the big purple dildo that was left outside my apartment door after my friend Michael Stipe and Julie Panebianco and I had a loud party one night. (Couldn't make that up.)
I will get a capacity limit for the lounge, but I feel certain we will all be able to fit just fine. If not, I'll find us another place. I'm clearly not the most organized, but it always works out and is always fun. And I'm thrilled if I get to meet you in person!!
I'm so sorry! I feel like I have gotten to know you so well here and over email since then that I completely forgot you are the same person I met at the Open Secrets event. It's like you are two different people in my mind, but I will meld them now! Hope to see you AGAIN in September
I love this! Corynne is going to come back with details on when it is, etc, especially to help out those of us who've never done this before. I'm psyched!
organizing it and it looks like the date is shifting. I'm so glad you want to come! I think she is going to answer this in the comments of yesterday's post and I will alert her. Xo
Awesome! I'm really glad this is on a Friday night, too. I love geeking out with people who want to start their weekend like this. :)
I was considering giving a choice of Monday or Wednesday or Friday because SOME people go out on Friday night, but I just went for it and I'm so glad you into it too. Eight is too early to go out anyway!
Eight WOULD be late on a school night...but Friday Book Club - WOOH! I'll stay up as late as I WANT! (That was my defiant tween voice at the end.)
Keep that defiant tween voice warmed up because we'll be using that a lot in this book club, I think!
Oh can do! 😎
It’s such a good memoir and sadly I related to a lot of it as a caregiver. I’ve been shocked and concerned over how many reviewers and posts have only focused on the dementia and not the alcoholism and basically said she’s exploiting her mother when it’s clearly much more complex than that (as most things in life are imo). Looking forward to this discussion.
Oh Rachel, I'm so glad you will be part of the discussion because you'll bring so much to it. This is already fascinating to me. I have not cracked open the book yet, but I'm getting it tomorrow. Now I'm even more excited. Thank you!
It’s a fast read and I think for anyone with an alcoholic parent or a distant parent they will appreciate her take (and so will other people). I’m usually halfway through my book club’s book when we meet (it’s a very casual one where we mainly socialize) so it’ll be nice to have read the entire book!
Perfect and then I can fill your role of being the one who has read half of it, because that is a likely scenario. Thanks again for being so supportive.
A memoir worth checking out is Uncorked: A Memoir of Letting Go and Starting Over.
Don't be fooled into thinking this funny, open-hearted, soulful howl of a book is only for those on a sober journey -- this is a universal grab-you-by-the-collar-and-hold-you-wide-eyed-close kind of memoir that can inspire all of us.
https://www.amazon.com/Uncorked-Memoir-Letting-Starting-Over-ebook/dp/B0F6433YHY
Oh thank you so much. I will check this out right now! I love love, love almost all memoirs.
My guess is that you won't be disappointed! Thanks Jane!
I'm ordering it right now. It sounds like something I will love. Plus, I feel like I know that author and even her face in her bio picture is so familiar. I'll figure that out and thank you for the recommendation again!
This IS a phenomenal memoir! Reading about other's sobriety journeys really helps me with mine.
Can't wait! I'll be attending via Zoom but wish I was able to come in person. I love the idea of a controversial book club.
Same here!
I can’t wait and what an excellent first book pick.
I have never been on a book club before but I am gonna try! Off to Libby I go!
Yay, I love Libby girls!
I may have to buy it since my local library and Libby have multi-week waiting lists!
Same. My library for both the print book and Libby was like you are number 45 on 5 copies.
#43 with an 18 week wait! 😆
OMFG, I am in. I was on the fence until I saw the book you selected. I’m going to buy it and put the first meeting on my calendar! This is also the first book club I have ever joined so any of the rules you decide, Jane, will work for me! Yay 🎉🥂
Awesome! We will make them up together! For example, earlier today I asked Corynne are we supposed to do chats or some kind of meeting every week as we are all reading it? Because I thought that's what my mom had done in her book groups. But Corynne said not necessary. So I guess we'll just do them haphazardly here in comments and on random chats when any of us wants to check in with each other on what we've read so far. ?
My mom really likes Molly Jong, and she's looking forward to joining in, via Zoom, from my house!
Welcome, mom! Maybe my mom will join also. She likes Molly too a lot!
I can't wait!!!! (Clearly, since I'm first in the comments!🤣) 🥳
Yay! Your prize is that you can lead the meeting with me since as you know I don't know what I'm doing!
Neither do I, but I'm sure we'll all have a blast figuring it out together! 🥳
Absolutely! Fumbling our way through together will be the funniest!
🤣
Bought and devoured this book! Proceeded to buy a copy for my friend. Cannot wait to discuss ✨
Oh goody! I just started it and can’t wait to discuss it either.
I am so excited!
Yay this will be so much fun! Are you thinking in person or virtual for September 12? Either way, it will be a blast and I'm so glad you are in!
virtual! I am not brave enough to come in person (yet), maybe the next one!!! Funny bc I have hosted an in person book club in NYC (obsessed on bookclubs.com) for 4 years but I still get anxiety each and every time!
Believe me, I understand! I might come to you for a pep talk beforehand, though!
I don’t think I can attend but I did happen to buy this book on Sunday (coincidentally, or not, as it’s quite popular) and am loving it so far.
I'm so glad you are loving the book already. And if anything changes, just show up to our gathering at the last minute. You are always welcome!
Hi Jane~ I'd love to come in person. Do you have a limit? ( I could always bring a shoehorn and some lube) 😆
Haha yes bring that just in case, please! I can keep it with the big purple dildo that was left outside my apartment door after my friend Michael Stipe and Julie Panebianco and I had a loud party one night. (Couldn't make that up.)
I will get a capacity limit for the lounge, but I feel certain we will all be able to fit just fine. If not, I'll find us another place. I'm clearly not the most organized, but it always works out and is always fun. And I'm thrilled if I get to meet you in person!!
Well, we DID meet in the city on May 3rd, but an actual "salon" would be amazing!
I'm so sorry! I feel like I have gotten to know you so well here and over email since then that I completely forgot you are the same person I met at the Open Secrets event. It's like you are two different people in my mind, but I will meld them now! Hope to see you AGAIN in September
Forgiven!! After all...I DO have two names on here. And jeeez...not like you dont meet/know a ton of people or anything! Lol!
Immediately adding as my next-up read!! How exciting!!
I'm so excited that you're excited. This is more fun than I even expected! Already!
Also: do you think there’s a part of her that wishes Mom could read this — or is that just me?
Yes!!!! Let's discuss this on Sunday too!
Never been in a book club, I was in a library a few days ago with time to kill and saw this book, grabbed it, and gobbled it in 24 hours.
My mom’s life revolves around book clubs and it’s very appropriate to become my mother for this particular text! See u suckers there
I love this! Corynne is going to come back with details on when it is, etc, especially to help out those of us who've never done this before. I'm psyched!
Sent u an email with a crazy story. In case I routinely go to spam, here’s a heads up
I already responded to you. The answer is YES. See my email and get to work, lady! Thank you!!!
Hi! Just checking in again for the address to book club. Not much gets me into the city these days, but I am SO here for this...Sassy shirt and all! 💗
Corynne is amazingly and mercifully
organizing it and it looks like the date is shifting. I'm so glad you want to come! I think she is going to answer this in the comments of yesterday's post and I will alert her. Xo
Thank you! I hope I'm still able to make it! XO