Sounds good and I liked her writing (and research) - I’ve just downloaded that out the library!
Just finished Once Upon a River which I thoroughly enjoyed, so thanks to whoever recommended that. Next up is The Book Club for Troublesome Women (which I have to read for book club, haha, and no doubt some would think that’s an apt description of us 
- I have no idea what the book is actually about yet!)
I read Big Little Truths on the plane to visit D1, SIL and GD and did not really care for it.
Both D2 and I read Wild Dark Shore and loved it. It was a very thought provoking book.
Book Club for Troublesome Women is a fun read. Takes place in the early to mid 60s. Our book club read it and then we had a lot of the food and drink that was mentioned in the book. Lots to discuss.
Slightly off topic – I debated making a new thread, but figured there are more book club members here than just about anywhere. Hope it’s all right …
Book club etiquette question. My book group (relatives and friends of relatives, known people, but we meet online) is getting ready to do a choose-the-next-bunch-of-books meeting. Each person has proposed two books, and we’re going to discuss which ones to read and in which order.
A few of the proposals are books I definitely don’t want to read. Theo of Golden, for one. If this were a club of strangers, I could just opt out when that one’s discussed. But we pretty much arrange it so everyone can be at every meeting. Is it too mean to say something up front? I don’t want to squelch anyone, truly, but I don’t want to waste my time, either.
Thanks for any advice!
When it’s books I don’t want to read I either don’t go, or am upfront that I haven’t read it but go along anyway for the social aspect. I guess it depends how “serious” it is about everyone contributing to the book discussion. We always meet in person though.
I’m listening to it and feel the same way.
I think it is OK to say something like “great if you all want to read it but I’ll pass on that discussion.” Years ago I dropped out of a book group because I felt stuck reading books I didn’t enjoy (but I get you won’tbe doing that with your crowd).
FWIW I didn’t love it as much as many others, but Theo of Golden is a very quick read or you can always just find a synopsis online.
I always read the book for the book groups I attend. I am one of those people who finishes every book I start. That being said, I don’t mind when people have not read or finished the book we are discussing. However, the person has to be prepared to hear spoilers about the book as we discuss it.
Sounds like Theo is not selected yet, so you may have a chance to select the other book that person proposes. You could campaign strongly for the other book when you guys discuss your selections.
I might be entirely wrong but is it possible that it’s not that you aren’t excited about reading this book but that maybe you object to reading it?
If that’s the case (and even if it’s not) no one should feel awkward about bowing out one round. Keep in touch with them other ways. Joyfully come back after Theo. Or as mentioned above, don’t read it and just attend virtually as a listener. And share that before hand!
Thanks so much for the reasonable perspectives. I especially like the idea of reading a synopsis and then attending to listen. – I would not be the first person in this crowd to not finish a book, tho I’m usually one of the “reliable” ones. ALSO psyched about championing this person’s other book (whatever it was 
)
No shade on anyone who liked Theo, but from what I’ve read about it, it’s too sweet for me.
Theo was rather sweet (ok by me and my book club, but I can see how others would not like it). But I will happily read anything my book club picks. (Though usually I don’t know ahead of time whether I’ll enjoy it or not. I stick with it either way because in retirement I do have plenty of time to read. Sometimes I’ll reread a title, though for upcoming Hamnet I may watch the movie instead). It’s an opportunity to converse on the book and a variety of related topics.
I had the same view of both of those books. I thought Whistler was OK, but not one of her best. I didn’t like Tom Lake—I wasn’t invested in any of the characters. I lived in Michigan (setting for Tom Lake ) and still couldn’t get into the book.
I’m in more than one book club. I read everything the CC Book Club picks - love, love, love the discussions (whether or not I love the book.) @Mary13 started the CC Book Club in 2009; I missed two of the first books but have read every one since then. Counting the next one (History of the Rain) means I’ve read 122 of the 124 books. I like the variety of books chosen.
One of my other book clubs tends to be populated with nonreaders. That sounds more negative than I mean it to sound. Kudos to anyone who joins a book club to encourage themselves to read. I filter in and out of that book club. Because it’s a community book club - and others filter in and out - I have no obligation to read a book I’m not interested in reading.
My final book club chooses two book to be read each six weeks. You can read one or both or none. Kinda depends on people showing up but easy to do so.
@jollymama: FYI: I’m about to finish Theo of Golden. I hesitated to pick it up because I felt much as you do. I admit I’ve been pleasantly surprised. To quote @Colorado_mom
and
I feel much the same way but just surprised to like it at all. I surely wish it was shorter though. I have 130 pages left but mentally I’m ready to be done with it.
I wish I was in a book club! So jealous of those of you who have more than one.
My undergraduate alma mater (Binghamton) has a virtual book club for alumni. Many public libraries do too.
C’mon join us at the CC Book Club, best club on the planet! Bonus: you can lurk or jump in as much as you want.
Update on my book club etiquette question. We picked our next three “for sure” books and set dates to meet. Theo ended up in the next tier, “flex” books to consider after that. So I can definitely quit stressing over it for at least three months, maybe forever! – all without me having to be grumpy at all.
Check your local library or bookstore. They frequently have book clubs.
Or..
Can you start one?
I love the CC Bookclub. If you are a day or two late finishing the book you can jump in. Because it’s online you can post links to related material easily. I’ve hated some books, but have always found the discussions interesting and sometimes I end up admiring them after all. (Case in point being a collection of Alison Munroe short stories.) We are all allowed to veto books.