JANUARY 2026 BOOKERS MINUTES & MUSINGS, Sugar Birds, Cheryl Grey Bostrom

                                        “The word sorry erupted from her like a train, its horn blaring.”

17 Homo sapiens and Bookers’ very well-behaved strawberry loving mascot, five-month-old micro teacup Schnauzer named Beretta Russo, met at the home of Debbie Yarger to discuss this coming-of-age novel set in the 1980s in Northwest Washington State.

Food for Thought:

There is a metaphor about recognizing the people who have ‘packed your parachute’ meaning those who have offered guidance and encouragement needed to overcome challenges and succeed. Take a moment to reflect on those who enabled you to get to where you are today and thank them for believing in your potential. Many of my parachute packers are sitting in this room today and all the others near and far hold a special place in my heart.

Business:

Our next meeting will be February 10^th 10:00 a.m. at the home of Kittie Minick, 372 St. Andrews Drive, Pinnacle Golf Club. We will be discussing Speak To Me of Home by Jeanine Cummins, a multigenerational saga told through the voices of three women navigating the complex terrain between Puerto Rico and the American Midwest, exploring what it means to call a place home.

Tickets for PWC’s major fundraiser, Casino Night on February 28, 2026, are selling fast with a maximum limit of 200. Help our organization to benefit over 20 local nonprofit organizations in Henderson and Kaufman counties by supporting this event. Tickets are available at https://pwccf.ejoinme.org/2026event until February 16th. $125.00 per person.

Susan Cunyus has volunteered to take care of wrapping the baskets for the Casino Night’s auctions. She needs baskets of all sizes or decorative boxes; ribbon…any color or amount, and filler paper like you would add to a clear gift bag. If you can help, feel free to leave your donations on her front porch, 395 St. Andrews Drive.

Suzy and Kurt Penner have filled a need in our community by coordinating recycling efforts at their home at 119 St. Andrews Drive. Every Tuesday we can drop off aluminum cans which they in turn take to their church which helps support eighteen local charities. On the first Wednesday of every month, they accept all types of glass, rinsed out and without lids and are adding ONLY plastic drinking bottles, also rinsed and without lids on that same date.

Patsy Dehn extended an invitation to their Pinnacle Church Women’s Luncheon to be held at the Pinnacle Club on Saturday, January 31, 2026, 12;00-2:30 featuring keynote speaker, Kylie Jean Tannehill. Please contact Patsy at 214-478-5135 or patsydehn@gmail.com for more information on this very special event.

About the Author:

A keen student of the workings of the human heart and the natural world, Pacific Northwest author Cheryl Grey Bostrom captures the mystery and wonder of both in her lyrical fiction. Sugar Birds and Leaning on Air, which is set twelve years later as ornithologist, Celia Burke, and veterinary surgeon, Burnaby Hayes plunge into a romance, have received critical acclaim and more than two dozen fiction awards. What the River Keeps, which features a reclusive biologist who returns to her childhood home where she must untangle her mysterious past or lose her mind, was awarded a prized Kirkus Star and named to their Best Indies Book of June 2025. She is also working on a sequel to Sugar Birds…working title, Because of Burnaby. She lives in rural Washington State with her husband and a pack of half-trained Gordon setters.

I reached out to Cheryl to let her know we had selected Sugar Birds for our January meeting, and she emailed me a “book club kit” with some inside information and discussion questions. She also is offering a giveaway for just our book club of either a paperback or audiobook of any one of her novels, Sugar Birds, Leaning on Air, or What the River Keeps. Anyone interested? If so, let me know and I’ll forward your email to her, and she’ll notify me of the winner. She’ll also add your name to her once-a-month letter and will include her nature photography and musings.

Sugar Birds evolved from a sketch she submitted to a critique group about a young, rural girl who hid in the woods after she accidentally lit a horrific fire. Afterwards that girl began awakening Cheryl at night, seeing her in trees as she went through her days and before long, memories from her own childhood resurfaced…hours climbing to perilous heights in Pacific Northwest fir trees, seeking solace from a tough home life in the rugged forest she knew so well, and the story unfolded from there. She thinks everyone should do at least once in their lives – something hard, brave…and alone. Her hope is that readers will recognize the story of human resilience written in a suspenseful narrative that highlights both tender and broken relationships, and a tale filled with awe, forgiveness, and redemption and where each of us runs and hides from heartbreak and how we deal with tragedy.

Synopsis:

For years, Harris Hayes taught his daughter, Agate, nicknamed, Aggie, the ways of the northern woods. So, when her mother’s depression worsens, he shows the ten-year-old how to find and sketch the nests of wild birds as an antidote to sadness. Aggie loves nothing more than climbing the massive fir trees that stand near her family home and is perched in a tree far overhead when her unpredictable mother spots her demanding she stay on the ground, forbidding her to climb. Angry and sulking over the recent punishment, Aggie lights a small campfire that unintentionally torches the woods by her family’s cabin burning it to the ground. Believing her parents are dead and afraid of what might happen if she’s blamed for the crime, she flees downriver, landing her boat near the untamed forest where she hides among the trees and creatures, whom she considers her only friends, determined to remain undiscovered.

Meanwhile, sixteen-year-old, Celia Burke, upset at her parent’s breakup, is dropped off by her father at her grandmother’s house for an undetermined amount of time…far away from her life and friends in Houston. She also plans to flee the scene, but when she learns of the fire and that Aggie is missing, she joins the hunt and meets two irresistible young men – one autistic and the other dangerous – and she’s compelled to stay and can’t help but get involved in the search for Aggie.

As Aggie tries to stay alive and Celia attempts to find her, their stories become increasingly intertwined. Aggie’s character is scrappy and she knows how to survive off the land while Celia is full of suburban angst and sarcasm…but both are equally strong characters whose strengths and weaknesses feed off each other.

Tidbits of Interest:

Anyone familiar with fuzz sticks also known as feather sticks? Maybe if you were a Girl Scout or a Campfire Girl you might have been introduced to these. They’re short sticks of dead wood prepared to create a cluster of thin curls used as a fire starter when dry tinder is scarce. Aggie used this to start the fire that burned down their home.

It wasn’t until late in the story – page 248 – in the paperback edition that we learned what the title, Sugar Birds, meant. I spent too much time Googling and came up only with a South African songbird which didn’t make much sense for this novel. It’s a term used by Celia’s grandfather to describe someone desperate, scratching, pecking, and clawing for a sweet seed that will soothe an aching heart. Celia says, “we’re all sugar birds.”  Something to ponder.

“Consider the birds” appears in the books’ front matter – Matthew 6:26 which is a powerful message illustrating birds do not worry about their needs, yet God provides for them – a reminder that if He cares for the smallest creatures, He will certainly take care of us like a loving parent. And birds symbolize freedom – the ability to soar high and break from limitations- physically, emotionally, and spiritually representing hope and change in the novel.

Forgiveness is the gift we give ourselves. It’s a journey to let go of anger and resentment towards those we feel have wronged us. Aggie’s path to forgive her Mama and herself was necessary for healing her trauma. She did this by acknowledging her feelings toward her Mama and why she felt that way and examined how she viewed herself and why. Aggie made a conscious decision to let go of the negative thoughts and preconceived notions she had unfairly formed and absorbed the reality that her Mama’s illness caused her actions and were not directed at Aggie as a form of punishment, tough love, or lack of love.  

Most loved and most loathed characters? Burnaby’s autistic character was developed with authenticity…brutally honest, loyal, and reliable.  Cabot of course was the character everyone loved to hate, however, his caustic personality was well developed with the contrast between his sugar-coated nature and conniving personality was convincing. If he had any redeeming qualities besides his good looks, they were well hidden.

Rating System Discussion:

0 – our new category – I wouldn’t recommend to my worse enemy.

1 – put your money back in the piggy bank

2 – borrow, don’t buy

3 – good beach read

4 – borders on your favorite book ever

5 – order now, include in you will.

It’s a well-known assumption that if you pick a book that most everyone loves, the discussion suffers. The book selection committee tested that theory with Sugar Birds and as it turns out we were successful…we had a lively conversation with the majority of the comments centered around too much attention to the details of the story and the setting and not enough character development; the plot didn’t move until the end and then it felt rushed; too much about trees, bones, birds, and dissecting animals rather than more about Aggie’s mother’s mental illness issues. Several ranked it as a “good beach read” with some concern that a ten-year-old child could be resourceful enough to survive the elements on her own; and two went out on a limb (catch the tree analogy – LOL) with strong 4s touting outstanding characters – 3 courageous, resilient, spunky kids – a lyrical novel filled with life lessons; and the other one loved being transported to the Pacific Northwest, the interactions between the characters, the symbolism of birds, the themes of forgiveness and how that journey resulted in the healing process and applauded how the author tied up all the ends. I personally love the fact we can as a group freely and without judgment share our thoughts as it has always been the mission of Bookers to foster conversation. Thank you for making the second Tuesday, September through May enjoyable and memorable!

On a positive note, next month’s read is receiving good feedback from several Bookers so if we all sit around on our hands in February, we’ll test our theory once again!

Happy Reading,

JoDee

 

 

DECEMBER 2025 BOOKERS MINUTES & MUSINGS, The Shack, Wm. Paul Young

“Emotions are the colors of the soul…and tears can be the best words the heart can speak.”

26 met at the home of Suzy Penner to toast the holiday season with our wonderful group of Bookers’ friends and astute readers. Many thanks to Rebecca Robinson for coordinating our food and beverages and to all who provided an array of tasty dishes and festive spirits ensuring we did not leave hungry or thirsty as we embraced a new Bookers’ tradition – lunch instead of brunch – for our December meeting.

Business:

Our next meeting will be January 13, 2026, 10:00 a.m. at the home of Debbie Yarger, 149 St. Andrews Drive, East, Pinnacle Golf Club. We will be discussing Sugar Birds, by Cheryl Grey Bostrom, a coming-of-age novel set in the 1980s, Washington State, that follows the story of a ten-year-old girl who loves the outdoors but after accidentally starting a fire she flees to the woods fearing her parents are dead. A desperate search ensues in this engrossing tale of survival and redemption.

I did make a $100.00 donation to Friends of the Animals in memory of Pat Faherty as we discussed last month. I know it would make her smile knowing the animals are benefitting from our generosity. We received a nice thank you note from her daughter acknowledging the donation.

Bettie Abio announced an event to be led by her friend, Ann Marie Dell who holds a PhD on the subject, at the Holocaust & Human Rights Museum on Monday, January 12^th, 2:00 p.m. The tickets are $17.00 apiece and can be purchased at the door or online. The facility is located at 300 North Houston Street, Dallas, Texas, 75202. Husbands and friends are welcome, and Bettie thinks there is a Corner Bakery within walking distance for those interested in eating nearby. Please contact Bettie with any questions and if possible, let her know if you plan to attend. 214-868-8277.

Disclaimer:

Bookers chose this novel in 2008, and we decided to revisit this poignant story for our December read. “The Shack” is a work of fiction, and such should not be held to the scrutiny of theological standards and was not intended as a seminary lecture or platform. Young is a storyteller, and he used his creative writing skills to show readers how he dug himself out of his shack serving as a catalyst to get people talking about who God is and how he makes himself known in the world. The underlying tone is of course spiritual, but it is not intended to teach the word of God…only to offer the author’s vision for anyone to see. As a group, we will strive to be respectful of each other’s opinions as we discuss this emotional journey through healing, forgiveness, relationships, and finding a path out of pain.

About the author:

Wm. Paul Young was emotionally distant from his missionary parents; sexually abused by the tribe they lived among in New Guinea; was grief stricken after losing his eighteen-year-old brother and five-year-old niece to tragic accidents, and his mother-in-law died suddenly all the while he was cheating on his wife…he clearly was a mess. After counseling and with the encouragement of his wife, he wrote a book to “open his heart and his thinking to his children.” He hoped his life would unfold like the picture on top of a jigsaw puzzle where all the pieces fit. The book was never intended for publication…although Windblown Media disagreed with him. So, is the book true…yes, but not in a literal way…it’s based on his experiences but is a fictional accounting of his life…he admittedly had numerous conversations with God demanding answers and not getting the right ones until he found a way to “re-turn” to his beliefs and lift the “Great Sadness” from his shoulders…he wants us to see his story in the pages of the book…then see our own.

Synopsis:

We have a man in the depths of “The Great Sadness” … a broken believer struggling to find a way out of his darkness. Three years ago, “on his watch,” his youngest daughter Missy was kidnapped and presumed murdered in a secluded shack in northeastern Oregon, the burden of guilt and despair overwhelming his existence. Out of nowhere, he receives a note in the mailbox: “Mackenzie, it’s been a while. I’ve missed you. I’ll be at the shack next weekend if you want to get together. Papa.” (His wife’s pet name for God.) After much deliberation he spends a few days at the shack in the presence of God, the Father who was a large African American woman with a Southern accent; God, the Son who was a large-nosed Middle Eastern Arab in carpenter’s clothes; and God, the Holy Spirit who was a petite Asian woman called Sarayu of Indian origin meaning the essence of life. And even God’s wisdom was a character named Sophia, a beautiful olive-skinned woman with chiseled Hispanic features. Young effectively used humor to alleviate the gravity of the situation and provide a soothing balm for open wounds, but just as we think Mack’s broken life had healed, the author throws us a curve ball when he wrecks his car and was transported to the hospital in critical condition. As he regains consciousness, he begins to recall the details of meeting Papa and readers are charged with determining the accuracy of his meeting God at the shack…or was it a dream…or a result of a near-death experience…or was he hallucinating…or what?

Homework Assignment:

Bookers’ books are selected to raise our minds to a higher level and have a “talkability” factor that challenges us to go past the obvious and respond. This novel is a simple tale that ask us to think beyond the storyline or simply accept the story on its merits alone…in the end it’s our choice.

The Bible states “God is love” in John 4:16. We asked members to use their imaginations, to be creative, honest and willing to share their vision of God on a blank white canvas using any medium…words, pictures, colors, sayings, quotes, anything that would add an image of their beliefs.

We had four “J’s” sharing our visions; me with a drawing of the tree of life where all life is connected – the roots are the past…the trunk, the present…and the branches, the future. The hearts are God’s love. Joellyn tapped into the author’s descriptions of color and light recounting a personal heartbreak when her stepson passed and how the patterns of color and light appeared to her before she knew of the tragedy. In Young’s words, “we’re able to see one another truly as their personalities and emotions are visible in color and light.” Jean’s perception is clear in every sunset and every ocean…how could their beauty and majesty be anything other than His work. Jane recounted the loss of her only son, Jason, in 2006 and the heart-wrenching emotions tied to this tragedy, finally coming full circle from rock-bottom anger to acceptance and peace as this novel came into her life at the right time.

Discussion:

The movie version ends with a song by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, “Keep Your Eyes on Me” encouraging us to find hope and guidance in the midst of grief…when it hurts too much to see…when the light in your heart is too burned out to see…when you can’t find your way home…when you’re lost in the dark…keep your eyes on me. We discussed how the novel deals with the most difficult question in theology. How can an all-powerful, all-loving God allow an innocent child to suffer and how can God ask a person to believe and have faith when they’ve lived through impossible pain and grief? Young tells us heaven is in our future hope, not in our present reality, and he did not intend to tell people how to get to heaven, just inspire them to want to go there. We discussed the weight of forgiveness and the role it plays in healing…it doesn’t mean forgetting, but it does turn the responsibility back to your God to deal with it…it’s all about a path to emerge from your “shack.” The author’s use of portraying God as a black woman stirred comments on both ends of the spectrum but the author’s purpose was to humanize Him asking readers to leave behind the stereotypes and focus on the message…and she was a comforting unassuming type character…and might reach a broader audience…not to mention he needed a cast of characters to keep us turning the pages.

Our rating system

We had none in the newly created “0” category which is interpreted as “what in the world was the selection committee smoking that day…” just kidding of course. We had one rating in the # “1” category – the put your money back in the bank” – as she had an issue with the author identifying with the “universalism movement” who believe all humanity will eventually be saved as Christ’s atonement did atone for everyone’s sins. The # “2” borrow, don’t buy had the majority of those casting a vote, the major issue – the middle section of the book didn’t keep their interest, leaving some ho-humming but that wasn’t the case in the audio version. Our one # “3” felt it was too far-fetched ala “Life of Pi” and our lone # “3.5” thought it was good, not great. One of our # “4’s,” loved it as it reminded her of “The Twilight Zone” a couple saying it challenged you to think about justice and judgments and another saying the words, “grace” and compassion came to mind as well as “Love is patient, love is kind” and reminded her of Randy Travis’ tear-jerker song, “Three Wooden Crosses.” Our three #5’s will have to rewrite our wills as this novel is described as a spiritual read focusing on forgiveness, looking at others without judgment, finding what’s in our hearts and having a relationship with God reinforcing the knowledge that His presence is evident in every blade of grass, in the eyes of a newborn and everything in between…a spiritual closeness that comforts and shines on you even on cloudy days…like tranquility in the midst of chaos.

In closing, we are appreciative of everyone who participated…for your compassion, insight, respect, and thoughtful preparation. For some it was a painful exercise, but we hope you gained some perspective and peace through the process.

Happy Reading,

JoDee

NOVEMBER 2025 BOOKERS MINUTES & MUSINGS, First Lie Wins, Ashley Elston

NOVEMBER 2025 BOOKERS MINUTES & MUSINGS

First Lie Wins, Ashley Elston

“If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything,” Mark Twain

25 Bookers met at the home of Susan Cunyus on Veterans’ Day to discuss this month’s read in hopes of a lively conversation and we were not disappointed, some in attendance no doubt asking what planet the selection committee was on when we chose this one. All kidding aside, there’s a method to our madness – to explore different genres that challenge us to read outside our comfort zone – mission accomplished. As always, member input is welcomed, so if you have a recommendation that you think might be a good Bookers’ book, please pass it on to me, Jane Shaw, Patty Evans, and/or Kat Mackey! Also, FYI, Bookish has chosen a novella, A Carol for Mrs. Dickens by Rebecca Connolly for their December book club. You might enjoy this one if you find time during the holidays.

It was good to see Chris Vaughn again and to welcome new member, Danah Peterson, and a special treat, the very well-behaved three-month old Beretta, a micro teacup Schnauzer in the arms of Mama Russo.

Sunshine:

We are saddened to learn of the passing of one of Bookers’ charter members, Pat Faherty, on October 21, 2025. She was our own St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, who believed in the eyes of an animal, we find a reflection of our own compassion. Pat often volunteered with The Friends of the Animals at Cedar Creek Lake assisting in their spay and neutering procedures. Her family has requested donations in her name to www.friendsoftheanimals.org. As no one had an objection, I’ll be contributing $100.00 from our slush fund in PWC Bookers’ name in her honor.  

Business:

Our December 9^th meeting will be our holiday party at the home of Suzy Penner, 119 St. Andrews Drive, Pinnacle Golf Club. Rebecca Robinson, our food and beverage czar, will be in charge of coordinating what volunteers bring to share for this meeting. Stay tuned for an email soon. We will be discussing The Shack, by William Paul Young, a revisit from Bookers 2008, a story about the realities of this world and the hope of the next – the author’s goal – not to tell people how to get to heaven, just inspire them to want to go there.

About the Author:

Elston, a Louisiana-based author and avid reader, was a wedding photographer with three young boys who were starting to play sports and hated that her weekends were consumed with work, so she took a step back from her job and started following her passion. She describes her first book as terrible, but persevered and the next one was published and sold declaring no one was more surprised than her. She’s written six successful young adult novels and First Lie Wins is her adult debut selected by Reese Witherspoon’s book club and is now being adapted into a Hulu series starring Octavia Spencer, which Ashley describes as another pinch-me-moment.

Being a visual person because of her photography background, the inspiration for this novel began seeing a group of people sitting around a table imagining what they were discussing and thinking…what if someone was there that shouldn’t be and then continued to “what if” as the story progressed until the plot had developed. Louisiana became its own character through her descriptions and southern culture was dominant like her references of the characters attending a Kentucky Derby watch party – which most likely would not happen north of the Mason-Dixon line. She’s currently in the very early stages of writing a new book.

Synopsis:

First Lie Wins refers to the old saying that the initial lie told often sets the narrative and influences what people believe to be true and once established it can shape perceptions and control the truth for a period of time – the concept suggesting the first untruth can lead to further dishonesty and complicate the situation. In Ashley Elston’s cat and mouse type suspense novel, it proves that the first lie is a game changer. The story involves a mysterious woman, Evie Porter, with a fake identity who is trying to stay one step ahead of her past when she realizes there’s something suspicious going on that she’s involved in. Instead of a psychological thriller where people mess with each other’s heads, this novel turns out to be an “I’m-going-to-break-all-your-fingers-and-blackmail-you-type thriller.” The story unravels slowly, with flashback chapters sprinkled in to help flesh out her past and explain who Evie really is and what she’s up to.  

Evie has a handsome, caring boyfriend named Ryan Sumner, the perfect house, and a group of fun friends. What could possibly be wrong with her life – as it turns out Evie isn’t actually real. Her name is Lucca Marino and she’s pulling a con, and the target is her lover. She’s been hired by the mysterious Mr. Smith to carry out several jobs including retrieving sensitive information to blackmail clients; however, she turns the tide in her favor eventually gaining the advantage over her boss.

In all sorts of twists and turns, readers find out what Ryan was really doing with his “legitimate” trucking business; the real identity of Mr. Smith; the surprising role Amy Holder played in the schemes; who ordered the fake Lucca and James to die and why it was necessary; why Evie Porter does not reclaim her real name; and why Evie and Ryan connected in the first place and his role working with Mr. Smith. In the end, the pair decide to stay together with a little wink and a nod as neither are squeaky clean characters, but both are likeable crooks and perfect for each other.  

Our discussion:

Before we begin our rating system, let’s address a couple of questions. Both Evie and Ryan are morally gray but despite her life of crime, there were a few lines she would not cross – refusing to leave Miles unattended after his mother was injured; giving financial advice to Tyron; changing critical information about Ryan’s business so Mr. Smith wouldn’t be able to take it from him. Does this redeem her in any way? We’ve got a tough crowd – overwhelmingly No.

The story alternates between the present and a series of flashbacks – the purpose being to give readers insights into Evie’s actions or thought processes in the present…what happened in the past driving both. Did you find these distracting and slow the pace of the novel down? Some thought it did impact the pace especially in the middle of the book where some of the flashbacks went on too long. Having said that, without these references, her motivation would be muddled. “All Evie’s jobs in the past were short cons, but this was a long con that would not have made sense without the flashbacks,” said two astute Bookers!

Evie left behind origami swans after each job was completed…it was her calling card and an art she learned from her mother. In Japanese culture, this gesture wishes the recipient good luck, prosperity and longevity, a happy and healthy life. The character, Mr. Smith, proved to be the exception.

At the end, Evie is set to take over Mr. Smith’s business. Many hoped she would give up her life of revenge and crime and settle into an ordinary relationship with Ryan. But that Pollyanna outlook probably would not fit with her character profile – once a con always a con.

Life is full of “firsts” and Bookers experienced that today as we began offering our assessments of the novel using our rating system. Leading us off a couple of members created a new category, 0 to 0.5: which must be a slight step below “put your money back in the piggy bank,” the issues being the alternating chapters (at least the author titled whether the chapter was present day or a flashback – otherwise it would be difficult to keep up with the storyline) – the back and forth was annoying, the ending was flat, and overall they just didn’t enjoy the book – the only positive comment was kudos to the author for her knowledge in creating the intricate plans. The two’s (borrow don’t buy) thought it was fun but silly with unrealistic and underdeveloped characters and couldn’t wait to turn the last page. The majority chose three (good beach read) as it was clever, a page-turner, good characters, twists and turns at every chapter; looking forward to the movie; some redeeming qualities at the end but most didn’t like the way it ended – would rather Evie and Ryan give up the cloak and dagger lifestyle and just be regular newlyweds. Our two fours loved a good con artist and a page-turner, and no one felt the urgency to include this one in their will.

Jane Shaw shared with us that on a recent river cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland, she visited the ship’s library to find only one book in English – First Lie Wins. Kinda’ like one of those woo-hoo moments when the unexpected happens. And to close out our meeting our unofficial “official” photojournalist, Karla Lawson, placed her phone on the mantel for a group photo when it fell behind the glass door of the fireplace below, giving an all-new meaning to the “find my phone” option whereby our hostess’ husband had to be summoned to save the day. Thank you, Ronnie!

Happy Reading,

JoDee 

OCTOBER 2025 BOOKERS MINUTES & MUSINGS, Editorial License, E.W. Johnson, M.D.

 The mind is like an iceberg…the conscious mind is the visible part above water, while the unconscious mind is submerged and hidden. Sigmund Freud

18 Bookers gathered at the home of Debbie Yarger to discuss this month’s selection anticipating a lively conversation about this novel and especially deciphering the ending, and our group did not disappoint. Although we all read the same book, many offered a different take on the storyline and the characters and often we saw parts of ourselves or our experiences inside the pages.

Sadly, we are losing one of our great friends and Bookers’ member, Judy Koslo, who will be moving to Kiawah Island, South Carolina soon. We wish her the best on her new journey. Wouldn’t a Bookers’ road trip to visit be a fun outing! She has asked to remain on our email list so she can keep up with what we are reading.

The author has written fifteen books, mostly in his Dr. Sean Nolan Mysteries series and two standalone novels. He has an author page on Facebook, but very little information is available about him. Is he an enigma or use an alias when writing….? I’ll let you know if he responds to my message on his page…don’t hold your breath.

 Synopsis:

Flying home from a book tour to be with his wife and daughter over the holidays, Kian Atwood's life seems perfect. With his third novel on top of the New York Times best-seller list, his future is filled with endless possibilities. In a few hours his family will be gone, most of his memories will be erased, and the world he wakes up in will only be defined by what others tell him. Of all the unanswered questions that plague him, two are the most haunting: How can he rebuild his life, and is there really any reason to try?

Opening Poem:

The author chose to open the novel with “If I Could Tell You” by W.H. Auden, a poet known for writing a blend of contemporary events with everyday language covering a variety of themes. It explores unspoken truths and the limitations of language in the face of time’s inevitable march. A central theme is the inability to express the depth of love… “Because I love you more than I can say, If I could tell you, I would let you know.” The relentless presence of time – an unyielding judge – saying “I told you so” suggests regardless of our actions or emotions, time will ultimately validate its own grim prophecies.

From a dog’s perspective:

I hadn’t planned on saving a man’s life in the chill of sunrise that morning, but I did, and he saved mine at the same time. Before that day on the beach my Golden Retriever’s life revolved around dancing in and out of the surf. I saw a man floating in the water…his feet were not touching, and the waves were beginning to wash over his head. I thought he wanted to play, so I leaped in the water with my driftwood stick and began swimming around him. Back on the beach I dropped my stick at his feet and smiled at him; he named me Wilson as a nod to Tom Hank’s movie “Cast Away” about a FedEx bigwig who befriends a volleyball named Wilson while stranded on a deserted island. I proved that I have so much more personality than a rubber ball.

I learned my new friend turns out to be a famous author who’s trying to hide from life and write a new novel. His family died in a car accident, but he survived. The doctor said he had retrograde amnesia – with no recollection of anything including the accident – except a recurring dream of a car traveling along a mountain road, first snow falling lightly, his wife behind the wheel, and his daughter in her car seat next to her. In slow motion he saw the rear tires lose traction, wheels locked up, and the back of the car slid over the bank…he heard his wife scream and the car flipped on its side somersaulting over a rock cliff…a silence… then an explosion when the gas tank ignited.

I became his therapy dog. He told me about his headaches, and we had many discussions about whether I saw him as a friend, an entertaining human, a playmate, or a source of food. Multiple choice questions were never my forte, so I just listened while he explained his life as a money-making machine. Dr. Os said he wasn’t a nihilist – I had to look that up – one who rejected all religions and moral principles…often believing life is meaningless – how could he be one of those when I was a big part of his life?... at least during the day. He also wanted my perspective on a philosophical point as a member of the canine community saying my world is viewed through a dichromatic lens – I looked that up too – we only perceive shades of blue, yellow, brown, and gray – so his question was if he gave me a book with answers to every unknown in the universe bound in a flaming red cover, how would I describe it to other canines? I pondered, but he furnished the answer…I’d say what it wasn’t rather than what it was…gaining the same value as a doorstop. Belly rubs were more interesting, and I followed him up the steps to his house, shared a bowl of Rice Krispies, and curled up on the floor next to him. Our relationship sealed with a common interest – we needed each other. After Kian’s new book was complete, he teased he might put me on the dedication page, which I thought was very fitting as my role in this process deserved recognition.

The Ending:

Dr. Os exclaimed Kian was “writing us” – the dog, the little girl and her mother next door – all fiction or at least it started that way. He had no memories to keep him grounded in real time, so he built his own reality from his childhood…the dog was first saving him from committing suicide and was the only one real to him and was the key to the rest of the story. After hearing the accident report, Kian started rewriting it over and over, each time changing the scenario and sequence of events…when he finally managed to save his daughter, the little girl from next door appeared…when he found a way to save his wife, the girl’s mother arrived who was an OB nurse as was Kian’s wife…when Paul had the heart attack, he was bringing back the father he lost as a teenager. He couldn’t change his past, but he could find a way to save them from the same fate. The book became a way to rewrite his life – he was looking at the “footprints of a man and woman walking on the sand with a child between them” … Kian found his way home.

And then we have Chapter 26:

Set in Evergreen Neuropsychiatric Hospital near Seattle, in an exclusive twenty-two-room clinic monitored by televisions housed one celebrity – best-selling author Kian Atwood – who had been there for eight weeks care flighted to the Neuro Trauma Ward to evacuate a subdural hematoma (bleeding near the brain) after his car went off and over a cliff. He was still in a coma but taking small steps toward recovery. His wife, daughter and dog visited every day at nine a.m. When the visitor bell rang, a golden retriever named Wilson bounded into the hall at full speed, jumping on Kian’s bed, followed by a young girl named Skylar, and her mom, Shay Atwood. Skylar was reading “Alice Through the Looking Glass,” her dad’s favorite part about Tweedledum and Tweedledee – then her voice fell silent - he had just squeezed her hand.

The wind just shifted – you could have knocked me over with a feather!

Our discussion:

The title should have spoken volumes – Editorial License – an editor has full control over design, layout, deadlines, and all words, sentences, paragraphs and opinions. Dr. Johnson used not only his medical license but his editorial one as well. Barbara Creach commented in an email to me, “Oh Crap…we have another “Life of Pi.” Good analogy.

Using the rating system (1-don’t bother) (2-borrow, don’t buy) (3-good beach read) (4-borders on your favorite) and (5-order now, include in your will) our group’s evaluations ranged from 2 (a bit messy) to 4-1/2 (loved it!) In between these ratings were a couple of typos; rereading parts to understand what was really happening – some to no avail; an easy read but complicated storyline; discussion of the ending seen as a culmination of a dream with all the characters in the protagonists life reassigned in the dream…the presence of Wilson was reinforced by the mention of dog hair on his bed; and a discussion of the levels of consciousness which refers to the different states of awareness, conscious (all thoughts, memories, feelings and wishes that we are currently aware of; preconscious (thoughts and memories not currently in awareness, but can be easily brought to consciousness; and unconscious (the largest part of the mind containing feelings, thoughts, urges, and memories that are outside of our conscious awareness which influences our behavior and experiences although we are not directly aware of it.) Our resident doctor, Ms. Carla, pointed out how comatose patients can experience varying degrees of awareness and memory, some remembering conversations between the medical staff while being treated and being able to recall them after they regain consciousness.

Happy Reading!

JoDee 

SEPTEMBER 2025 BOOKERS MINUTES & MUSINGS, The Women, Kristin Hannah

SEPTEMBER 2025 BOOKERS MINUTES & MUSINGS

The Women, Kristin Hannah

“I just want … I don’t know…for someone to care that I’m home. That I went.” Frankie

“They learned to breath, and then to talk, and then, if they were lucky, to hope”

23 met at the home of Jane Shaw. to kick off Year 22 of Bookers. We were excited to welcome new members, Jeanette Brown, Chris Vaughn, Suzy Penner and Joellyn Martin and hope they enjoyed themselves and will return next month. I’ve added their email addresses to my Bookers list.

Sunshine:

Gayle and John Brummett lived in Pinnacle for many years before relocating to the Dallas area. Sadly, John passed away on September 5^th. Both were very involved in the community and golf and those who knew them are saddened at the news. Please keep the family in your prayers as they maneuver through the grief of losing a loved one.

Business:

Jane, on behalf of our selection committee, announced the books for the upcoming year and the list will be attached to the Minutes email. We are again partnering with Jen Sherman of Bookish in Malakoff to purchase books from her and again she’s offering a 10% discount to our group. I will be coordinating this with her, will pay for, and pick up the books when they arrive. If you were not at the meeting and are interested in supporting this effort, please let me know your choices and I’ll add your name to the list. I’ll let you know what you owe as soon as I get a price list from Jen. Many thanks to all who volunteered to host our meetings for the rest of the year. We’re all full until we begin Year 23 in September 2026.

 Rebecca Robinson volunteered to take over the food and beverage czarship from Kim Nalls who has done a wonderful job for the past two years. And many thanks to all who donated to this year’s “slush fund” which is used for out-of-pocket expenses throughout the year and for Bookers’ donations to worthwhile causes.

Note from the author:

She first conceived the idea for this book in 1997 but as a young writer – 37 at the time – she realized she lacked the skill or maturity to tackle such an important and complex subject. She was in elementary or middle school for most of the war but vividly remembers the protests, how the story was broadcast by the media, and particularly how the veterans – many fathers of her friends – were treated upon returning home. Originally, she created fictional towns and evacuation hospitals to give herself some latitude in telling the story, but her Vietnam veteran readers felt strongly she should name the places accurately; therefore, the hospitals and towns are real. Kristin considers it an honor to tell the stories of the women – both military and civilian – especially since being told there ‘were no women in Vietnam.’

About the author:

Kristin Hannah was born September 25, 1960, in Garden Grove, California, later moving to Western Washington at the age of eight. She graduated with a degree in Communications from the University of Washington in 1983, later earning her law degree from the University of Puget Sound in 1986. Before becoming a full-time writer in 1991she practiced law in Seattle and worked in an advertising agency. She’s published over twenty novels, with her bestselling work, The Nightengale, set in France during the Nazi occupation, has sold over 4.5 million copies worldwide and translated in 45 languages and will be released in theaters February 12, 2027. The Women has been picked up by Warner Brothers. Stay tuned. She lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington with her husband and their son.

Synopsis:

My name is Frances Grace McGrath, but everyone calls me Frankie. Our family lives in an estate on Coronado Beach in Southern California about a ten-minute drive across the bridge over San Diego Bay. I’m just twenty years old in May of 1966 living a debutant-type life when the story begins. Generations of men in my family served in the military and were highly decorated except for my father, a successful real estate developer, whose claim to fame was building affordable housing for returning veterans which he considered his contribution to the war effort, and my mother was a product of ‘old money’ – the silver spoons always needing polishing.  My brother Finley, and his best friend, Rye Walsh, just joined the Navy and shipped out to Vietnam. I fast-tracked my nursing training, graduating as a registered nurse and was bent on using my skills in the best way, so I joined the Army Nurse Corps to be deployed to Vietnam much to the chagrin of my parents, especially after the news that Finley was killed in action.

I remembered a quote from Clara Barton, a nurse, educator, and founder of the American Red Cross about being compelled to face danger, but never fear it, and while our soldiers can stand and fight, I can stand and feed and nurse them. My fellow nurses, Barb and Ethel, kept me upright and after becoming a surgical nurse, I met the love of my life, Dr. Jamie Callahan. War is brutal and falling in love during war is insane. I learned that lesson when Jamie’s helicopter was shot down and he was presumed dead. I reupped and am reunited with Finley’s friend, Rye Walsh. Another thing you shouldn’t do during war is believe anything…case in point, he was engaged, then unengaged, then married with a child, then reported killed in action, only to reappear when the POWs are released, and while professing his love for me, Rye and his wife have another child while I’m in his arms.

I’m on a destructive path between nightmares, anger, getting fired, having a mental breakdown, drug and alcohol addiction, losing my nursing license, driving drunk and almost killing a bicycle rider, causing a deep divide from my parents, becoming engaged to a nice man that I didn’t love, but was pregnant with his child until I miscarried, and accidently overdosing on pills. But thanks to my nursing buddies, Barb and Ethel, they picked me up off the ground and provided some sanity to my existence.  Finally, there’s a name attached to my suffering and erratic behavior – post-traumatic stress disorder – from my time in Vietnam. My new life revolves around my ranch, the Last Best Place, that serves as a refuge for women who served in Vietnam. While searching the names listed on the Vietnam War Memorial in hopes of finding Jamie’s name, he stood in front of me…alive, divorced, and holding the smooth stone I gave him – on one side I had written ‘You Fight’ and on the other, ‘McGrath.’ My story confirms there were women in Vietnam. My Army Nurse Corps pin says it all. When one of our success stories came home to their loved ones, their children and grandchildren returned to us the pieces of our heart because we saved their lives.

Personal Stories:

There were few dry eyes as Bookers shared personal stories of Vietnam. Most everyone in our generation knew someone who served in this war and their heartfelt stories touched many of us. It’s difficult to fully understand what these servicemen encountered but most returned to their homeland not to hero parades and gratitude, but to hostility within a divided country. Those who shared ensured that these men and women are not forgotten. On a positive note, Kat Mackey, our own retired military veteran, reported that those who served in Vietnam are now treated with respect and reverence that was non-existent when they came home.

Bookers’ input:

Any 1-star ratings (put your money back in the piggy bank) - no

Any 2-star ratings (borrow don’t buy) - no

Any 3-star ratings (good beach read) – no

The 4-star ratings – (borders on favorite book ever) mostly 4.5’s those citing, although well-written, it was difficult to read with the gory details of the war, the emergency operating rooms, and the heartbreaking compassion shown for soldiers without limbs and/or on their deathbeds, and how the troops stationed there were able to navigate through twenty-four hour days that felt like forty-eight. It was a war zone and painted accurately, although hard to imagine the horror of it all and Ms. Hannah painted a clear picture of what it must have been like. One of our new members commented that the scenario that a person living in the lap of luxury, the entitled Frankie, was unrealistic given her upbringing questioning who in that situation would volunteer to go to war.

The 5-star ratings (order now. Include in your will) praised the writing, the reality of war, accurately reflected the Vietnam timeline, and most loving the characters and applauding their development. The author recited a horrible segment of history and how these young men returned home almost as if traitors – shameful. It showed us that women can be heroes and how friendships can run deep even amid chaos and the destruction of war. Hannah walked us through Frankie’s maturity, from the naïve twenty-one-year-old in a war zone who put herself in harm’s way every day to a veteran coming home where the battle raged internally and on street corners. It was pointed out that the author didn’t feel as though she was mature enough to write this story when she first started her career, but also the world was not ready to hear this story.  

At the end of our meeting Joellyn talked about the author collaboration project, the history behind the effort, and the satisfaction it gives to be an author involved in these books. Volume 6, 365 Days of Resilience is due out by Christmas and there are opportunities to submit your story to be included in the book. If you’ve always wanted to be an author and you’re interested in being a part of this, please contact Joellyn for more details @ joellynw.martin@gmail.com.  

Happy Reading,

JoDee