A couple years ago (27 books ago in Club time), I needed friends. My kids were out of elementary school, so my constant companions from PTA were all going their own way. I wasn’t as close to my childhood friends as I once was. And although I enjoyed the company of my kids and my amazing husband… I just needed some friends.

So I prayed. And then I made a list of ladies that I wanted to do life with and asked if they would like to start a book club with me. Talk about being vulnerable! “Hi… I know we haven’t really hung out much, but I’m kind of lonely. Want to be my friend?”. The right ladies said yes.

And it’s been love ever since.

We range from 31 years old to 52 years old; super short to decently tall. We are apartment renters and farmers; married, divorced and single. And not all of us even read. But hey… that’s who we are. And it works for us.

We meet every 4-6 weeks. Rarely does everyone make it. We talk about life and a little about the book. We eat good snacks, drink good wine (and sometimes not so good. And sometimes a whole bottle to myself- it only happened once!!). Sometimes we’ll connect outside of Club for coffee or the group will go to a movie (HIGHLY suggest Where the Crawdads Sing… movie AND book!). We group text. Some of us actively reply, some of us probably have the group chat on silent and rarely read it. But that’s fine. This is Book Club. And it works for us.

My name is Stephanie. I love books. I love how they smell and how they look and how they feel. I totally judge a book by its cover. I’ve been a reader all my life. My husband says I’m a nerd, and I’m ok with that. I am working on my own book as well… been working on it for over a decade… it’s no War and Peace… I’m sure it’ll get it done at some point…. maybe when I’ve read all the books on my Goodreads ‘Want to Read’ list. Eek.

Jenn K. was my neighbor from back in the day. We were neighborly, but not even really friends then. Both busy raising our kids. After we moved, I would see her every once in a while and it always made me happy to see her. She is my book club doppelganger. We are both reading Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy now so we can watch the Keira Knightly movie and discuss it. Pretty sure we may lose some of our club if we recommended an 800+ page book to the group!

Kristina G. was my customer (To pay for my book problem, I get paid to manage an insurance agency). One of my favs. This gal is great. Strong head on her shoulders and somehow still so humble and pleasant. I was a little nervous to ask a customer to join me in this venture, but then thought… What do I have to lose?? Nothing to lose, only a friend to gain.

Christina R. was my coworker and I love her and even though I’m virtually positive she’s only read maybe 30% of our books in the last couple of years and only shows up maybe 50% of the time… I am soooo glad she’s a part of our group.

Kari W. was my counterpart on the Senior Booster boards for two (very successful) years. Our first Book Club gathering met at a little neighborhood park. Kari rode her bike over. As she said down, she asked, “What book were we supposed to read?”. Ha! Kari came to book club because like me, she was looking for friendship. She found that AND she now reads. All the books. And keeps track of what we’ve read. If we had a board, she would be on it… keeping us on task and organized.

That’s the OG Book Club… Stephie-D (as Kari calls me), Jenn, Christina, Kristina, and Kari… and a couple Littles that join us every once in a while.

A bit into it, we unanimously approved two more members…

Kim C was also my coworker. I cried when she left. I roped her back into my life via Book Club and I do the happy dance in my heart every time I see her. She somehow finds time to read most of the books even though she’s got two adorable Littles at home vying for her attention.

and last but not least, Tiffany Y, my BFF for the last 36 years. We’ve been thru thick and thin together, and now we’re in book club together. Can it get any better than this??

We’ve read some great books (Four Winds by Kristin Hannah!!!!). Some cheesy books (A Marriage of Convenience in the Show Me State by Jessie Gussman). Some college text books (Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg… okay in all honesty, Kristina G is the only one that finished this and it isn’t really a college text book. At least not officially. It could be though). And some terrible books (no need to rehash those memories).

Next up… Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret by Judy Blume. With a movie date to follow! Yes absolutely we will get excited to read a Judy Blume book written for 10-12-year-olds. It works for us.

Watch for Book Club updates and my review on the It’s Me Margaret book and movie!

Would love to hear about YOUR book club!