This is the club’s first non-fiction selection, and if you would like to join, we will be starting Killing The Mob: The Fight Against Organized Crime In America by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard in January. This is a definite change in direction by the club, and I am curious to hear the reviews when they are done.

Arizona’s most recent read, The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R. Carey, was listed on the Amazon Editor’s Pick list for Best Science Fiction & Fantasy for December, with a 4.3 rating, but the book itself had mixed reviews from our club, with an average of 3.4 stars.

The ending seems to have caught all the readers off guard, with Carlos Sigala calling it “unpredictable” and Victor McKaney saying he “didn’t fathom it at all”. Only one reader indicated that they would not read any more work by this author, but the others felt differently, each saying they would read works by M.R. Carey again.

“I enjoyed the writing and the book as a whole. I would read more
books by this author because I like her story telling.” – Isaac Molina
“I enjoyed the style, I couldn’t put the book down.” – Carlos Sigala
“I won’t read any of this author’s future books.” – Victor McKaney

I’m only on page 28, but already hooked on Arizona’s latest selection – Girl, Forgotten, by Karin Slaughter. I think it is going to be a winner. This is the first book by this author I’ve read, and the group should get their copies this week. As always – feel free to join us, we would be happy to share your thoughts here! All the books in the Arizona Club get donated to the facility library when the book club is done with them.

Now for the most recent read – The Maidens, by Alex Michaelides. This book was specifically chosen because Arizona had read The Silent Patient by the same author. The Maidens got five stars across the board! Below are their and my thoughts:

“The ending was soft, I would have added more to the cult-like group leader’s mystery.” Even so, Carlos Sigala felt it was a page turner, saying he would most likely be friends with the ‘sneaky and sinister’ Zoe. ‘Amusing read’ that touched on some situations that aren’t in other books. – Carlos Sigala
Zoe is definitely an interesting choice, Carlos! Just make sure you don’t close your eyes:)

“I think it was well written. It’s not my usual genre. After reading this one and The Silent Patient, I will definitely read another one of Alex’s books.” Who did Ralph think he would most likely be friends with? “Probably Mariana, would really like to get to know someone like her.” He points out, “even though we come from way different lifestyles.” “Silent Patient was my first read. This book blew my mind almost as much. Looking forward to more from Alex Michaelides.” – Ralph Dyer  
What I love about these reading groups is just that – we are all reading different genres, learning about different ways of life, other than our own. And I’m with Ralph gravitating towards Mariana, my reasons being that I would love to know more about the dynamics of group therapy. I think it is really fascinating how group leaders are really facilitators of the magic that comes naturally from a group – but that’s an entirely different topic!

“I was looking for the twist, but had the wrong person. It was a great twist. I liked it (the book) because it sounded almost like the author wanted to intertwine his first book along with his second book. I am a fan of Alex Michaelides. I’d probably be friends with Ruth the therapist and Clarissa the professor because they both know how to listen and analyze people. Henry and Fred reminded me of Theo Faber from The Silent Patient. They’re all needy controlling individuals. I’d like to see this author’s books made into movies, they would be some great thrillers.” – Victor McKaney
I totally agree with you, Victor. And I think the tie ins to previous books would make the movie versions even more captivating. For some reason, I like hearing about characters from previous books, it’s as if you are creating an imaginary neighborhood of characters, and it’s like passing an old friend on the street when you hear one mentioned in a following book. I loved that aspect of these books.

And, there was one more review for a previous book club read – The Family Upstairs.

Carlos Sigala did not find The Family Upstairs predictable, “At no point did I find the ending predictable. I knew they would reunite, but not in that fashion.” Carlos felt it was well written and felt Libby, the main character, was the most likeable because she wasn’t greedy. This one came away with a 4.5 stars for Carlos. – Carlos Sigala
It’s been a while since this read, but I think I agree with you on all points. I definitely didn’t see the ending coming exactly the way it did, and I can remember being disappointed in ‘the character’ of some characters. Not the book – but some people in the book let me down! Libby was solid though. And the writing was solid, that’s for sure. So far, all of the books we’ve read in this group have had solid writing, I think.

Onward – I’m really loving Girl, Forgotten. Hope it ends as good as it has started. We’ll let you know!

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!