The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald

“The New York Times and USA Today Bestseller 

Once you let a book into your life, the most unexpected things can happen... 

Broken Wheel, Iowa, has never seen anyone like Sara, who traveled all the way from Sweden just to meet her book-loving pen pal, Amy. When she arrives, however, she finds Amy's funeral guests just leaving. The residents of Broken Wheel are happy to look after their bewildered visitor-there's not much else to do in a dying small town that's almost beyond repair. 

You certainly wouldn't open a bookstore. And definitely not with the tourist in charge. You'd need a vacant storefront (Main Street is full of them), books (Amy's house is full of them), and...customers. 

The bookstore might be a little quirky. Then again, so is Sara. But Broken Wheel's own story might be more eccentric and surprising than she thought. 

A heartwarming reminder of why we are booklovers, this is a sweet, smart story about how books find us, change us, and connect us.” Amazon 

My Book Club read this book for November. We had read two heavy – deep – depressing books in September and decided our books for October and November should be more enjoyable and in both months we hit it out of the ballpark!!

Who doesn’t enjoy books about books? Books about Bookstores? Too much fun!!!

Readers will understand the last line on the book’s cover:

“A heartwarming reminder of why we are booklovers, this is a sweet smart story about how books find us, change us and connect us.”

In our discussion of this book we talked about books that had changed our lives – or they at least gave us what we needed at the time we read them.

So many books have made an impact on me over the years – as they have for most readers. As a child I always had my nose in a book – well, actually, my whole life I’ve had my nose in books!! But when I was young – an only child until 12, living in the country with no children living anywhere near us – I spent my days reading and then acting out the books. The adventures I took! I filled those summer days on boats, rafts, on southern plantations, and so many places I can’t even remember and as I do remember I know I could go on and on.

The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend brings to life many characters you will love but it also shows how books connect us in ways we could never imagine!

If you want a feel good book about books. About a very special book store – pick this one up. It’s also GREAT for book clubs.

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

“A grumpy yet loveable man finds his solitary world turned on its head when a boisterous young family moves in next door.

Meet Ove. He's a curmudgeon, the kind of man who points at people he dislikes as if they were burglars caught outside his bedroom window. He has staunch principles, strict routines, and a short fuse. People call him the bitter neighbor from hell, but must Ove be bitter just because he doesn't walk around with a smile plastered to his face all the time?

Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove's mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents' association to their very foundations.” Good Reads

I am not sure where to begin! Does this give you an idea?

I have NO IDEA how many tabs I have in this book.

I laughed – out loud laughing – and sometimes with tears!!

I cried.

I. LOVED. THIS. BOOK.

It is my favorite book of 2016 – hands down.

“He’d been a grumpy old man since he had started elementary school” is one description of Ove.

In the beginning of the book – I wasn’t convinced I was going to like it. In fact the first of my many tabs don’t show up until page 36. So if  when you read this book, which I highly recommend you do – Be patient in the beginning.

I’ve reached an age that if a book doesn’t grab my attention pretty quickly I put it down – I don’t have time for books I don’t enjoy – but I am so glad I stuck this one out.

Please – put it in your To Read Pile. And then take the time to read it! – A great read for your Book Club. My Book Club read it in October and I'm so glad we did.

You can read more about Fredrik Backman H.E.R.E.

Tuesday's Tips are for Book Clubs

I mentioned to Randy that I needed a library card! So we headed to our neighborhood library branch. Libraries can be "best friends" with book clubs! I am a collector of books - but I understand that not everyone is. Books get more expensive as years go by. Space isn't always available for a very large collection - so our public library system can be the answer to  reasons for not being book collectors. 

This is the wonderful Librarian that I met at our library. She was very friendly and helpful. I admire Librarians. From Marion the Librarian in "The Music Man", to my friend Diane that works in a library in Missouri, another friend Diane that is a retired elementary librarian, my friend Pam - a librarian - I seem to have a plethora of Librarian friends!! Anyway, on the surface - it seems like a FUN - enjoyable job - which it is, but it also includes much responsibility and as we saw in "The Music Man" - many complaints! So - hug a librarian this week!! :)  Ok, I've chased that rabbit as far as I'm going to today!

While at the library, I was surprised to learn my wonderful husband didn't have a library card!!! - I know.. I should have asked that BEFORE the wedding! Anyway, while there he got a card, too.

Some things you should find out before the wedding!!

The Wichita Public Library has a web site HERE.  

They also have a page on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/wichitapubliclibrary

ANYWAY:

To get to the subject of this post - Book Clubs.

Many book club members don't want to purchase a copy of the book that's been chosen to read. Your public library can be the answer for that. Many libraries have several copies of a single book for book clubs to reserve and often they even provide discussions questions to go with the books.

On the Wichita Public Library website, they have readers resources, book discussion sets for book clubs.

http://www.wichita.lib.ks.us/Readers/Book+Discussion+Sets.htm

This resource has a list of books that can be reserved and checked out for book clubs.

Check with your local library and see what they have to offer for book clubs.

Book Club - It's for you!!

Book clubs come in all sizes, in all "shapes". Every book club is different, yet the same. The main emphasis is reading but from there - all kinds of  things can happen! 

Reasons for starting a book club:

1. Reading
2. Try new authors, new genres
3. Step outside your personal comfort zone
4. The discussions, hearing new thoughts and ideas about the same book
5. Develop your thought process - stretch yourself
6. The companionship
7. The loyalty that builds within the group
8. Friendships that are unconditional
9. Having fun while talking about reading, about books
10. Great food

Give it some thought. Either start a book club or join a book club!