October 2017

Confession: When I first heard the title of this book, THE DIRTY BOOK CLUB, by Lisi Harrison, I was hesitant. Would this be for me? I am happy to say it completely is!

At the start, a book group tossed aside “serious reading” a few decades ago and picked up books that were “against the rules” that governed their society-ordered worlds. They talked honestly about love and real life --- and, yes, sex --- against the backdrop of these books, which included FEAR OF FLYING. These women guided each other through the messy parts of life --- you know, the ones where things happen to people instead of the sanitized ones that are all over social media --- with a trust among them. What happens at the book club stays at the book club.

Flash forward, and they are ready to move on --- literally. The club members head off to Paris, permanently, just as they always promised they would do when the last of their spouses died. But before they do, they identify young women to pick up the mantle of the club and read the books that they did, decades later. Tucked into each of the titles is a book commentary written by a member of the older generation that passes on wisdom that is relevant to the younger generation. What these women saw in the books that they read is as important as the friendships they formed for meeting as a club.

THE DIRTY BOOK CLUB is original, dishy and smart, which I know is a very rare combo. It’s also funny and witty. For those in book groups, we have a guide. This would be a really great --- and different --- discussion book.