Arizona is preparing to start their next book – The Maidens, by Alex Michaelides.  They chose this book after reading their previous book by the same author.  The books have been ordered and should arrive in Arizona this coming week.  Joining both the Arizona and NC book clubs in their reading has made my life better – feel free to join us, we would be happy to share your thoughts here!

Now – for views on the previous read, The Silent Patient, by Alex Michaelides:

A suspenseful narrative, worth waiting to see unfold! – Carlos Sigala

This book was really well written.  I do not usually read many suspense novels.  I like how the book kept me thinking throughout the entire read and didn’t let me figure it out until the very end.  Looking forward to reading another one from this author. – Ralph Dyer  

The Silent Patient was a great book with good character development and excellent plot twists. The only thing that stopped me from reading cover to cover was lunch.  It has an ending that you just won’t see coming. – Steve Lomax

‘Spellbound!’  An enigma wrapped in a riddle that created a MYSTERY!  Through the twists and turns, I came to a sudden halt once the last few pieces to the puzzle were discovered. The introduction of the plot had me staggered. As it thickened, I was gripped to the pages. Walking into the climax, I realized the riddle was deciphering itself right in front of my eyes! – Terrance A. Morgan

It was an interesting read and had several plot twists I didn’t expect or anticipate.  I give it a 4 out of 5 for keeping the reader guessing and engaged.  It would be an excellent movie to watch if it was turned into one. – Robert Hinderliter    

The human psyche is a very, very powerful muscle.  The Silent Patient will have you asking more questions, looking for more and more clues to no avail. If you think you’ve understood and got this figured out, don’t worry the plot twist will get you. I give it 3.5 stars out of 5. – Victor McKaney

And, for my thoughts… Definitely a page turner. Which is what I like. I want a book to have me wanting to pick it up again. Without giving away anything – the ending had me wanting to go back and read the book over and see if I should have figured it out earlier. I’m really curious to see if the next book we are reading by the same author has that same type of direction. It will definitely have me trying to stay on my toes while I’m reading in an attempt to figure it out as I go.

And discussion on the previous book, Yellow Wife, by Sadeqa Johnson continues! Personally, I loved this book. It is probably up there in the top five of all the book club books I have read with the WITS clubs. That could have something to do with my familiarity with the geographical location of where the events took place, but I think it was mostly due to the story itself.

Two words best describe Yellow Wife – hope and despair.  Within reading the novel there were twists, turns, as well as turbulence.  Definitely a page turner.

The main character, Pheby, exemplified the true meaning of liberation!  She had a deep inspiration to secure the freedom of her loved ones.  Freedom was the ‘desire’ and at times, throughout the book, by any means necessary.  Enduring the physical pain, in my opinion, was futile to the mental anguish that she endured.  Her grit and dedication to a cause led to the freedom of others, to which she was seeking! 

I recommend this book to any avid or non-avid reader.  Indeed, a cast of movie  quality! –  Terrance A. Morgan

I started our newest book a little before the others – The Silent Patient, by Alex Michaelides. Without giving any of it away, I am hooked already, and I am not very far in. I’m really curious to see where this one goes and what everyone thinks of it, and I can’t wait for them to get their copies. If you get a chance, read it with us!

Now, for thoughts on the previous read. The club recently finished up Yellow Wife, by Sadeqa Johnson. This one brought on some in depth conversations, and I wish I could have been there. Our Arizona Book Club is very fortunate, in that they can meet together in the library. They shared a couple of their thoughts on Yellow Wife:

“Yellow Wife was an intriguing read and invoked both negative and positive reactions. It’s a story about how two women sacrificed themselves for the betterment of their children and others. This book should be required reading for kids in grades 6-8 so they can see some real history of how people were treated in the 1800’s.”
– Robert Hinderliter

“Yellow Wife is a real page turner. Ruth wasn’t just the medicine woman, she was a survivalist, and a mother with plans that no slave could ever foresee. She instilled in Pheby her survival instincts and to always protect your children at all costs while setting up a better future for them, no matter the risks or costs too. Ruth also taught her daughter that sometimes in life a mother has to make a big, life-changing sacrifice for their children. The book could also have been called either: A Woman’s Sacrifice or just Sacrifice.”
Victor McKaney

Feel free to contact WITS with your thoughts on any of our book selections!

The Arizona Club recently finished The Family Upstairs, and as a group, they give the book 3.6 stars.  And, of course – if you haven’t read the book and intend to, don’t read their reviews!

“Easily a 3.5 out of 5 stars.  I loved the twists in the plot, definitely a page turner it kept me reading, once I started I couldn’t stop.” – John C. Rao 

“Weird, exciting and rooting for the underdog.  It shows the vulnerabilities and the lengths to which we as humans will go for our Family.  Four Stars.” – Victor McKaney

“Lots of twists, very suspenseful, murder, drama, with a poetic twist at the end – enjoyable read.  I would recommend, solid 3.5.” – Chris Weldy

“I found the book a good read with a few interesting twists in the plot.  But I would have liked more info on the characters in the years between childhood and to the time Henry narrates the story.  Other than that it was enjoyable.  I give it 3.5 out of 5.” – Robert Hinderliter

“Overall it was a good book.  I really appreciated the plot, and some of the unseen twists that it took.  My favorite character was Libby/Serenity.  Her path to, and eventual discovery of who she really was and where she truly came from was well thought out and written.  I also enjoyed the ending itself.  I enjoy a book that leaves something to the imagination and doesn’t necessarily have full closure in the matter.  My favorite line would have to be when Henry says, “Do you have room for one more.”  It leaves the true ending of what’s next for the reader to decide.  I also enjoyed the fact that some chapters were written as Henry’s thoughts of conversations to Libby/Serenity.  It broke up the storyline and added a perspective to the writing that broke up the narrative style. The only thing about the book that I would have wanted more from was the character development.  You are told most of what they went through as children, and most of the characters are explained as far as where they are now, except for Phin.  There is really not much substance to the in between years except for Lucy, and small tidbits for Henry and Clemency.  Nothing really told of Phin whatsoever, and I guess overall.
I would just have liked to know more about what happened to the characters between the escape from the house, and the meeting/reacquaintance at the house.  All-in-all it was a good read, and I would read other books by this author.” – Steven Lomax 

The Club is now deep into The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo, by Tyler Jenkins Reid.  We’ll keep you posted with their review!

And just in case NC’s book choice was not up your alley – this is the official start of our new Arizona Book Club!

Their choice this go round….

The Family Upstairs, by Lisa Jewell!

I read this book a few months ago, so I will be passing on this first read, but my opinion – I enjoyed it! I would definitely give it a 4.5 out of 5 stars. I hope they enjoy it as much.

A side note to the Arizona Book Club – I was told I could not order from my usual book supplier for Arizona. I was also told to try Hamilton Book. Wow. This is not an advertisement, but if you want to join us on this read – the paperback costs only $3.95! I couldn’t really believe that. Again, not an advertisement, but as the sponser of these book clubs, that was very much appreciated. In addition to that good news, the Arizona readers intend to donate their books to the library when they get done reading. I think that is a win for everybody!