The sixth anniversary of the Literary Ladies’ Book Group will be in November, and at the last meeting (we discussed O’Neill’s NETHERLAND) of the 2008-2009 season, there was a touch of nostalgia and a rather bittersweet feeling at  the end of a satisfying season of books and sharing. 

Though the group came together because their children were all at Greenwich Academy and/or Brunswick, they are diverse in their interests and associations.  What they do is share, though, and I’m always fascinated that the mothers of the older kids are looked to as mentors by the mothers of the little kids. 

What they don’t necessarily share, though,  is their taste in books, so this group always has lively, spirited discussions.  Kathleen isn’t attracted to noir novels; Abbe repeatedly asks me if there’s another MIDDLESEX by Eugenides out there for them to read.  Lindy thanks me nearly every time I see her for THE HISTORY OF LOVE by Krauss.  Marjorie still raves about Lahiri’s UNACCUSTOMED EARTH, and Mandy still gives Gardam’s   OLD FILTH to everyone on her gift list.  Vickie said that OUT STEALING HORSES by Petterson was a favorite.  Everyone praised THE BOOK THIEF by  Zukas.  

In September, when the nine of them  meet again to begin our sixth year of reading and discussing, we’ll start with Elizabeth Strout’s Pulitzer Prize- winning novel, OLIVE KITTERIDGE. 

If you’re interested in what these women have read since November, 2003, shoot me an email and I’ll send you a copy of their list.