Thinking about starting a reading journal. Anyone else keep one? Any advice you will share with a newbie? Thanks, my fellow bibliophiles! #ReadingJournal

Old favorite. Still worth sharing. #booklove

Some of us tonight after book group. Energized and ready for our next book. #FirstSaturdayReaders

Current read.

Loved this! Finished and immediately started rereading. Can‘t wait for book club to discuss this. Definitely recommend.

Up next for book club. #FirstSaturdayReaders

There‘s no way sugarcoat it. This book was awful. I started it two other times and couldn‘t get past the first 5 or so pages. This time I was determined to power through and I did manage to finish it. It‘s as terrible as the reviews said it is.

Interesting fact-based story about the sister-in-law of famous artist Vincent Van Gogh, but the contemporary storyline that was supposed to complement it was cliche and predictable.

Book giveaway! I‘m happy to share my gently used copy of Ruth Ozeki‘s excellent novel, THE BOOK OF FORM AND EMPTINESS with a reader in the United States. Please comment below if you are interested. #BookGiveaway #BookMail

Up next for book club. #FirstSaturdayReaders

Up next for book club. #FirstSaturdayReaders

New Year‘s Eve Day vibes.

Annual reread.

Up next for book club. #FirstSaturdayReaders #BooksWithBeth

Second #BookTok recommendation I tried was another dud.

Happy Thanksgiving! Today I express my ongoing gratitude for book lovers. You‘re smart, friendly, empathetic, giving and all around good eggs!

This month for book club. #FirstSaturdayReaders

My book club celebrated 25 years today. We have a great group of passionate, curious and insightful readers, and our conversations always illuminate the books we read and discuss. I am thinking of my sister, Beth Kimsal Stead, who was one of our original members. She passed in 2021, but I know she was with us in spirit today. And, now, our group‘s journey continues. #FirstSaturdayReaders #BooksWithBeth

Prepping for book club this weekend, our 25th anniversary meeting. Looking back and looking ahead. #FirstSaturdayReaders #BooksWithBeth

My sister Beth, seen here behind me, was one of the original members of our book group. Although she left for a period of years to raise her children, she eventually returned and remained with the group until she passed in 2021. I miss her every day. In November, our group will celebrate 25 years of reading and discussing books. I know Beth will be there with us in spirit. #FirstSaturdayReaders #BooksWithBeth

Up next for book club… our 25th anniversary selection. #FirstSaturdayReaders #BooksWithBeth

First #BookTok selection was a dud.

Trying a #BookTok recommendation for the first time. I like to read a Halloween selection this time of year and saw this featured on a number of TikTok videos.

Every month at book club, we wrap up our discussion with each reader offering their rating of that month‘s selection. We rate on a scale of 0 to 5 stars, 0 being the worst (there‘s been a few) and 5 being the best. As we approach our 25th anniversary, today I made an interesting discovery. One of our group has been, far and away, the most generous with 5 star ratings. And it isn‘t who I would have thought it would be. 🤔 #FirstSaturdayReaders

Book group prep. #FirstSaturdayReaders

Gettin‘ real tired of the posts about “Sam Hell”…

Good discussion today at book club. This novel was liked by everyone. #FirstSaturdayReaders

This was a disappointment.

Just finished this a few minutes ago, and, wow, what a surprise this book was. Thought provoking, challenging, emotional. Can't wait for my book club's discussion.

Top to bottom, September, October and November for book club. #FirstSaturdayReaders

Book club today. Good people I am lucky to call my friends. Even when the book isn‘t everyone‘s favorite, the conversation is still good. #FirstSaturdayReaders

Book club day is always a good day. #FirstSaturdayReaders

August and September selections for book club. #FirstSaturdayReaders

Just finished (and not particularly impressed by) this for book club. #FirstSaturdayReaders

30 Book Recommendations in 30 Days — Day 31 (Bonus Book) “Autobiography,” by Morrissey.

30 Book Recommendations in 30 Days — Day 30 “The Namesake,” by Jhumpa Lahiri.

30 Book Recommendations in 30 Days — Day 29 “Shadowland,” by Peter Straub. This book was recommended to me by my second mom. “Shadowland,” is dark, disturbing, and filled with horrifying happenings—in other words, she knew it was right up my alley. She was right—I loved it. I still miss Mama Cass (as we called her) and I think of her often. I like to think she is somewhere enjoying a good book and a nice cuppa joe.

30 Book Recommendations in 30 Days — Day 28 “Beheld,” by TaraShea Nesbit

30 Book Recommendations in 30 Days — Day 27 “The Way the Crow Flies,” by Ann-Marie MacDonald

30 Book Recommendations in 30 Days — Day 26 “The Shining,” by Stephen King.

30 Book Recommendations in 30 Days — Day 25 “In Cold Blood,” by Truman Capote. One of the tragedies of Capote‘s life is that he was not very prolific, but the work we do have from him is outstanding.

30 Book Recommendations in 30 Days — Day 24 “The Remains of the Day,” by Kazuo Ishiguro.

30 Book Recommendations in 30 Days — Day 23 “House of Sand and Fog,” by Andre Dubus III.

30 Book Recommendations in 30 Days — Day 22 “The Road,” by Cormac McCarthy

30 Book Recommendations in 30 Days — Day 21 “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt

30 Book Recommendations in 30 Days — Day 20 “The World According to Garp,” by John Irving. Beware the Under Toad.

30 Book Recommendations in 30 Days — Day 19 “Sister Carrie,” by Theodore Dreiser. What price would you pay to realize your ambitions, and would it be worth it?

30 Book Recommendations in 30 Days — Day 18 “The Sojourner,” by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. One of the rewards of being in a book club is discovering great books you probably would not pick up on your own.

30 Book Recommendations in 30 Days —Day 17 “Let the Great World Spin,” by Colum McCann.

30 Book Recommendations in 30 Days — Day 16 “Family Pictures,” by Sue Miller.