Ladies of Lit Book Club

My name is Pamela Winn and I am from Murray, Utah.  I was on vacation in February 2010 with my husband, brother, and sister-in-law.  I had just finished reading 'Atlas Shrugged' by Ann Rand and 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett.  I was dying to talk with someone about what I had read and learn about their interpretation of the books. I asked my sister-in-law if she would support me in hosting a book club.  She said she would.  I figured if no one wanted to join, at least my sister-in-law and my daughter could get together and talk with me about books. 

On my flight home, I started reading 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho.  The book talks about following your path and watching for good omens that present themselves along the way. I took the already delineated discussion questions at the end of the book as my good omen and decided to start a book club.  

The next morning I made and addressed invitations to 24 friends I thought might be interested in joining my book club.   I also encouraged those 24 friends to bring someone.  I was hoping to get 10-15 book club members. 

We have 14 members of our group.  The members include Tricia Davis, Karen Dodge, Steph Hall, Nicole Forrest, Shannon Forrest, Shelley Kelly, Lyne Miller, Chanin Peterson, Dede Smith, Marsha Thomas, Patty Ward, Brittney Winn, Lisa Wood, and Me.

It is a great group full of impressive women.  We have a Fashion Merchandise Graduate; a Junior High School Drama Teacher; Two Public Relations Graduates; a Nurse; a Delta Airlines' Top Employee; a High School Counselor Secretary; a Judge; a Psychology Graduate Student; an ex Seattle, WA TV Newscaster; and a Math Teacher.  

Some of us are moms, some of us travel the world with no children, some of us have had cancer, some of us have handicapped children, some of us are divorced, some of us have never married,  some of us have remarried, some of us are single, some of us are rich, some of us are not so rich, some of us have gay children, some of us are of different faiths, some of us are not sure they believe in religion, some of us have young children, some of us have grown children, and some of us have married children, some of us have grandchildren, some of us are talented decorators, some of us are great cooks, some of us have wonderful singing voices, some of us are intelligent, some of us are highly intelligent.  Regardless of background, lifestyle, or religious affiliation; each member has something to add to the group. 

I love discussing books with amazing women with various perspectives.  It is always nice to hear the voice of someone that is walking on a different path than yourself.  It helps me get out of my comfort zone and look at life from a different point of view.  These Ladies are Awesome.

We have now discussed eight books:  The Alchemist, The Help, Shanghai Girls, A Thousand Splendid Suns, The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society, Eat Pray Love, One for the Money, and The Poisonwood Bible.   

One of the greatest aspects of the book club is discovering new recipes.  Everyone takes turns bringing appetizers and desserts.  I will post the recipes. 

This is all I have time for today. 

Ladies of Lit, thank you for joining me on my path.