With busy work schedules and the holidays it has been several months since we have had a Book Club selection. We hope everyone will be well rested and ready to participate in our Book Club in January. We are pleased to announce our first Book Club selection for 2010 will be Ivy: The Story of a Friendship by Gwen Morrison. As many of you might already be aware of, Gwen has contributed quite a few fun and uplifting posts here at Imperfect Women and has her own blog, A Life Less Ordinary.
Following is a short description of this selection:
When Josie, a total stranger about to give birth, shows up on Paige’s doorstep, the women form an immediate and inseparable friendship that takes them on individual journeys of self-discovery. Josie is diagnosed with cancer and Paige drops everything to be there for her. Years later, Josie’s cancer returns and she makes a choice that profoundly affects the lives of those who love her. At the same time, Paige has found the courage to explore a painful chapter from her past, an incident that has defined her for so long, has left scars so deep, that it is only through her friendship with Josie that she is able to delve into the depth of her pain…which is about to destroy her marriage.
Ivy: The Story of a Friendship can be purchased at the Imperfect Women Bookstore. Let’s look to kick off this discussion towards the end of the second week of January. That should give everyone time to purchase or check out the book and begin reading. We hope you can all join in and as an incentive, we will provide the wine and cheese. See you then.
Tags: Book Club Selection, Gwen Morrison, Ivy: The Story of a Friendship
I have this book and am looking forward to reading it.
My husband gave this book to me as a gift for Christmas and I am going to start reading as soon as I am finished with The Middle Place by Kelly Corrigan. Anya turned me on to The Middle Place and I really want to thank her. I am only half way in but I am really enjoying it.
Count me in. I loved the Middle Place.
Pam, I am glad you are enjoying The Middle Place.
Count me in too. I have missed our book club discussions.
Hey ladies! I was so surprised (happily!) to see my book as your first book club selection for 2010. I am sooo excited! I do hope you enjoy the journey of Josie and Paige. I still think of them…
Happy New Year and I can’t wait to hear what you think of the book!
I have read this book and it is fantastic!! A very emontional story that makes you laugh and makes you cry. You truly feel every emotion that one can have. It is one book that you will want to read to the end as soon as you can!!
This book is a wonderful and endearing read! It’s a book you wouldn’t bring to a book trade off or contribute to a garage sale….this one is a keeper! I really enjoyed this book and both characters, Josie and Paige, are people I could identify with. These two friends will stay in your memory long after the last page has been turned. I highly recommend this book and actually have on many occasions.
I’ve missed out on all these and I really want to try this time. I love discussing books and came over to read the other discussions even though I hadn’t read any of them. I don’t want to miss out on Gwen’s book. I’ve enjoyed her contributions. Especially, this one. From the comments above, this book sounds like a “must read”. So, I “must” participate.
Count me in and I’m looking forward to it.
Wow…it’s good to have friends. Happy reading, ladies. If you all like, I can put together a reading group guide to jump-start the conversation…
…I sounded WAY too southern in that last post — “..if you all like” is almost “if y’all like..” After 10 years here in Atlanta, I’m starting to sound like I belong here…
Gwen,
That would be great and we would really appreciate it.
Gwen,
LOL, You will have to talk to Samantha on the phone. Now that is southern.
Hey, how is the reading going? You KNOW I’m on pins and needles here ladies! I haven’t had time yet to do the reader’s guide but can’t wait to see your feedback~
Hey, Thanks so much for the kind words about The Middle Place. Glad the book found you. Kelly Kelly Corrigan The Middle Place http://www.kellycorrigan.com
I have ordered this book and can’t wait to read it.
Kelly,
I absolutely loved The Middle Place….It really got me reading again! Once I started it, I couldn’t put it down.
The Middle Place was amazing. I read it a while back and have since recommended it to everyone!
Gwen, I plan to start the book this week. It is sitting by my bedside table calling to me. Just getting finished with the holidays and other distractions! Can’t wait to start it.
Kelly, thank you for posting. I know I am not the only one looking forward to “Lift” being released in March….
I started the book this week but only got a few pages in before life interrupted. I plan on reading quite a bit this weekend.
I’m wondering if I should read my book? It’s been a while! I hope that those of you who are reading it are enjoying Josie and Paige.
Gwen, you should definitely read it again! And I don’t say that about any ‘ol book!
I am in the middle of chapter 15. A lot going on and it’s hard to put down.
Gwen, I actually have a lot of questions for YOU, but maybe we will start off with questions for the readers and then grill you.
Recognizing that people are at different stages of reading, I thought I would start with a few basic questions for our readers:
1) Which character do you personally relate to more – Paige or Josie?
2) Have you ever had a friendship similar to the one Paige and Josie share?
3) How did you feel about the Prologue? Did you feel it enhanced your reading of the book to have this information provided at the beginning rather than at the end of the book?
4) The author (IMO) does a really good job at making the characters of Paige and Josie seem authentic and their home lives feel “real”. Did you have any “aha” moments where you said “that could be me!”
Note, I have no experience with writing reading guides. (In case you couldn’t tell.) I just like reading! Feel free to add your own questions and answers, but let’s not reveal too much about the book’s second half right away for those of us who want to enjoy Paige and Josie’s journey as it enfolds. Thanks for participating!
Aya, I’m so looking forward to the discussion. I’ll add some questions once we get going, if that’s okay. I am not sure where everyone is, so I’ll wait until we start seeing some feedback on that first.
I just got finished reading this book, and I really enjoyed it! So many wonderful facets. I could relate to Paige more, but would like to have more Josie traits.