17: Join a monthly book club with my friend who keeps inviting me

Last night I went to the first book club with my friend. She's been inviting me to go since last summer and I was usually busy which is why I put it off. It's funny because many of the books I read last year were from her book club because I had the intent to go and then never did.

Since it's part of my 40 before 40, last night was the best time. I didn't want to put it off any longer and I thought if I enjoyed it then I could, of course, go the rest of the year.

I love my friend who invited me. I love her house where I'm super comfortable. I love her personality and our friendship. She's amazing. I even work for her sometimes. She's smart and funny and down to earth. She's very "REAL"; she doesn't gossip and tries to not say hurtful things. She's a good person, and I want to be like her when I grow up.

What I didn't like was her book club. I felt uncomfortable or out of my element. The women in this club are part of our local high society ladies. They are the "ladies who lunch." They are Junior League-ers. They are wealthy and very conservative. I have no idea how or why my friend is in this group of ladies- but, hey I appreciate the cross over of the classes.

But I don't think it's a place for my debut into the society scene. I don't run in this crowd at all. Don't get me wrong, they were nice enough since I was a guest and our hostess was VERY welcoming. I was just... uncomfortable.

This book had discussion questions at the end of it and the leader/ hostess for the month read the questions and then we sat in silence until someone answered. This went on for about 20 minutes and then everyone gossiped/ socialized. Ummmm, okay. I don't know what I was expecting. Some people contributed to the discussion and most didn't. Two women hadn't read it. The rest all LOVED it, and gushed over its wonderful-ness--- um, I was the only one who didn't like it. Yeah, I'm such an uncultured swine.

I think I'm used to discussing books in an academic setting- as in when I was in college- and I was expecting maybe a more intellectually rousing and stimulating discussion of the book. Maybe if I liked the book things would've been better. Maybe if I felt more comfortable with these people it would've been better.

And as for the book, I wasn't a fan of it. I don't really like sweeping, epic novels. I could've pared this thing down to about 375 pages and still been happy, but more about that later.

So......... I look at the things I want to do and it says "join" the book club. I'm not sure I'm joining but this is one of those times when I reserve the right to change up the list a little bit. I went. I might not join, but I read the book, I attended, and I participated in the discussion, for what it was.

2 down and 38 left to go!

Maggie