♥FEBRUARY'S CHOICE♥

For the month of February, we will all become familar with a hobby that I have no idea how to do, but I know some of our member's do. They know all about Friday nights...no...kidding...they knit. The next selection in the club is "Friday Night Knitting Club," by Kate Jacobs.

This is what's being said on her website www.fridaynightknittingclub.com:

Praise for The Friday Night Knitting Club
"An absolutely beautiful, deeply moving portrait of female friendship. You'll laugh and cry along with these characters, and if you're like me, you'll wish you knew how to knit."—Kristin Hannah, author of Firefly Lane

"If you are looking for an inviting group of gals to spend a few winter evenings with, pull up your afghan and snuggle in with The Friday Night Knitting Club…[It] makes you yearn for yarn, even if you're not a knitter."—USA Today

"This book's great—worth reading now."—Glamour Magazine

"Knitters will enjoy seeing the healing power of stitching put into words. Its simplicity and soothing repetition leave room for conversation, laughter, revelations and friendship—just like the beauty shop in Steel Magnolias."—Detroit Free-Press
"[A] winning first novel…impossible to put down."—Booklist

"If you like to write or read or knit, your first reaction to The Friday Night Knitting Club may be pure jealousy…Readers will come to root for nearly everyone in the sweetly diverse cast of characters."—Concord Monitor

"What begins as an unlikely hodgepodge of women soon evolves into an unbreakable sisterhood as the characters learn from each other's differences and bond over their love of knitting."—Vogue Knitting
"A Steel Magnolias for the 21st century."—Kirkus Reviews

"Poignant twists propel the plot and help the pacing find a pleasant rhythm."—Publishers Weekly

"A really great story."—Marie Claire

"Celebrates the power of women's independence and is essentially an urban counterpart to How to Make an American Quilt."—New Statesman

So come and read about knitting, friday nights, and a good book. The club will be knittin' away at our book, will you?

The next club will take place on February 21st, at 9:00am at Fat Man's. I will post about the book later.

As always, HAPPY READING!

BIG THANKS TO SUSAN RICHARDS

January's selection was "Chosen By A Horse" by Susan Richards. For the first time our book club got to speak to the author of the book at the meeting.

When searching for information for the book club in January, an email on her website came up. I quickly sent an email to Susan Richards, and asked her for advice, information, words of wisdom that she wanted to give. Sure enough, I got an email back about an hour later the same day, with her saying a few words, and that it would be ok to call her if we wanted. She would be available in the morning for us to talk to on our Saturday mornings, so I wrote her phone number down.

On Saturday, January 17th, we had a lively discussion on the book about a woman's love for a horse, and her life. It was a positive book, that delivered a feel good vibe, but at the end delivered a slight blow, as it wasn't a happy ending, but it is unfortunately a part of life. All in all, the club really enjoyed the book.

We have two members who own horses themselves. It was said that what Susan said was true. The members said highly, that the horse chooses you, you don't choose the horse. One member said that she talked of things, that she herself had only thought of in her head. That she didn't tell anyone, but that it was like she knew what she was thinking. With our horse experts, and our animals lovers, they gave big thumbs up.

After discussing the book, and answering the discussion questions which are available online, it was time to dial up Susan. As never as I was, never calling an author before, I was all ready to try something new. I took my cell phone, dialed the number, and put it on speaker phone. Before you knew it, she was on the other line from Florida, taling to us. I thanked her for taking the time to hear us, and talk to us personally. It's not everyday that an author allows you to call you at home, and talk with a group of readers about your book.

***ATTENTION AUTHORS: Please let your readers and book clubs call you. It is the most gratiflying experience to talk to the person of the book you have just read.***

After letting Cheri (the one who picked her book) talk to her personally, and all of us asking the questions to her, it was time to say goodbye. She was most gracious, and wonderful to talk to. We at our book club, would like to thank Susan Richards, for taking the time to talk with us. It meant a lot, and we are most thankful!!!

After talks about horses, pets, and life in general, the book club came to a close. It was, however (I think) the longest club clocking in at almost 11:00am. WOW!

The rating was more than likely **** 1/2 out of *****. A nice feel good, discussion book. And if you are lucky, and you want to try and have Susan talk to you, she might take your call.

Stay tuned for the next book club book, coming up for FEBRUARY!