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This week, I had the best time ever at a Kids’ Book Club.  This particular club is sponsored by the St. Ignace (Michigan) Public Library, and, because the kids had chosen to read my book SISU, they invited me to come to the discussion group.  We had a ball!  The kids range from sixth through eighth grades.  Their interests are eclectic and varied, but they have one thing in common – they love to read. 

I went expecting to do most of the talking and all the question-asking, but they chipped in, had very erudite answers and questions.  These are smart, personable kids.  I felt very honored to be invited and to participate.  We also had some extra joys in that several moms were there, and that one of them prepared a scumptious Finnish pancake treat!  How great is that!  A local children’s book author came with her kids.  I’m looking forward to reading her book, WHAT I SAW ON MACKINAC by Jennifer Powell. 

The St. Ignace Library Kids’ Book Club is reading AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS by Gennifer Choldenko for their next selection.  The title alone makes me want to read that book!

So, a big THANK YOU to the St. Ignace Library and the Kids’ Book Club for a great, great time, and two new books on my “gotta get” list.

Blessings!  Sue

The Bayliss Book Club (Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan) will discuss INTERPRETER OF MALADIES by Jhumpa Lahiri at 7 p.m., March 25, at the Bayliss Library. Their April book is HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET by Jamie Ford. If you are interested in joining the group, email Susan James at sjames@baylisslibrary.org.

When I was a child, my favorite story book was about a little boy and his sister who discovered a key that opened a door into a magical world. I remember thinking how incredible it would be to discover a key like that. A few years later I realized that that key was any book I chose to read!  I still love to walk into a library and catch the wonderful “smell” of books and know that journeys await.  As Emily Dickinson so aptly put it, “There is no frigate like a book.”  (Bookstores are great, too, but most of them smell like coffee nowadays!)

I have the privilege of belonging to a reading group. “The Pickford Reading Group” consists of six women of eclectic tastes.  We have found great joy in sharing books and learning to trust one another with our thoughts and friendship.  Each month (except for a summer break) we select a book to read and discuss. Our February selection is WATER FOR ELEPHANTS by Sara Gruen.  If you ever wanted to run away and join a circus, this is the book for you. And if you aren’t so much into circuses, but enjoy quirky characters (including animals), who come alive through the pages, this is also the book for you. The Pickford Reading Group was six thumbs up on WATER FOR ELEPHANTS.  Our March book is THE MEMORY KEEPER’S DAUGHTER by Kim Edwards. 

Do any of you belong to a reading group? If so, will you share your name and current book choices with us here on the Blog? We’d love to know what you’re reading and  your opinions on your latest book.   Each month I will post any Reading Group that reports.  Just let me know your name, the book you read or are reading and, if you’d like, what your group thought of the book: great, good, not so good, or a mixed review. 

Hope to hear from you!

Blessings! Sue