We are seven women- a diverse group, a book group. It is the diversity which makes our book group great. We are Roman Catholic, Mormon, once upon a time Presbyterian,and Athesist. Among us you will also find a professor of chemistry/author, a pediatrician, a nurse, a CNA, stay at home moms, and wanna be and have been high school English teachers. These women are smart, educated, talented and beautiful... and a little intimidating, but I am trying to keep up. But first and foremost we are friends and mothers who love to read.
Forming a book group was Julene's idea. While others have attended our book group from time to time, we 7 are the nucleus. A little more than a year ago, I had never even heard of the island of Guernsey let alone know where it was (incidentally in case you are like me and don't know where Guernsey is, it is an island in the English Channel just off the Coast of Normandy) . Thankfully, my dear friend and neighbor, Julene loaned me a book to read, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
This book changed me, reminded me of who I once was and who I still want to be. Once upon a time, I was 14, a freshmen in high school sitting in beginning french class. Madame Whetman brought France to my heart and ignited in me a love for travel that continues with me today. I remember sitting in her class and telling myself that one day I would see Paris.
And I did. At age 18, I joined my college friend, Angie Ekins, Jane McBride and a group of students I had never even met and flew to Europe. It was exhilarating! I visited all the "must see sites in Paris including the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame, La Louvre, La Pyramide de la glace, Musee d'Orsay, Basilique du Sacre Couer, Avenue des Champs-Elysees, river boat ride on the Siene River, walked the famous Place du Tertre in Montmartre, and visited les Invalides. We even made it to Normandy (one of the most sacred experiences of my life) Mont St. Michel, and St. Malo. And then we took the ferry to England from Cherbourg to see London ( we saw all the sites and saw Miss Saigon- loved it). It was such an amazing trip.
Cherbourg is three hours away from the island of Guernsey- I was so close! Now I can't wait to see the island of Guernsey myself. Wouldn't it be amazing if our book group could go together! And so there you have it in a nutshell- how the Guernsey book group came to be and why almost daily I ask myself, " Why am I not in Guernsey?" I'm nearly 44.
Thanks to my book groupies for sharing their love of reading with me- these women are amazing--- now let's go to Guernsey!
Currently I am reading or have read- We Never Asked for Wings by Vanessa Diffenbaugh, Present over Perfect, Bread and Wine, both by Shauna Niequist (I also have Cold Tangerines, and Bittersweet on my night stand- I love Shauna Niequist's voice and style- it totally resonates with me) and waiting for me to open tonight, Mitten Strings for God- reflections for Mothers in a Hurry by Katrina Kenison.