February Book Club
My IRL book club met this past Friday to discuss February’s book, which was BOOK LOVERS by Emily Henry. We met a week later than normal and on a different day of the week so there were only 9 of us that met. Here are some highlights of our discussion:
- There was a pretty even split between who loved and liked it vs. who disliked it.
- I was the only one who rated it 5 stars. There were a few 4 stars, two 3 stars, and several 2 stars.
- A couple people hated the characters.
- A couple people felt like the story was too unbelievable.
- One person loved the banter at first, but then felt it got old.
- A couple people felt the characters got physical way too quickly.
- One person hated Nora’s constant reminder that the events in the book were reminiscent of tropes.
- Those of us who loved / liked it enjoyed the banter and sexual tension. We also loved the characters, especially Charlie.
Even though BOOK LOVERS is a contemporary romance, it still garnered a pretty good discussion. We often talked over each other trying to get all our thoughts out. We had a pretty lively discussion about sex in books and what everyone’s comfort levels are. I shared how I rate sexual content in my reviews and a few people really appreciated it, but a few others were annoyed by it.
Next month’s book is BEARTOWN by Fredrik Backman. I’m looking forward to reading it. I’ve only read one Backman, ANXIOUS PEOPLE, but it was one of my two favorite reads in 2022. Hopefully, I’ll love BEARTOWN just as much.
Have you read BOOK LOVERS? If so, what do you think about my book club’s discussion?
A good discussion is what a Book Club is all about! I got tired of the banter in that book and skimmed the last part of it.
Yes, I love a good discussion. And, I totally get being tired of the banter after a while. I don’t know why, but I adored it. To each their own. 😀
I like Emily Henry’s books. I know what I’m getting into, they are a great escape, and they are entertaining. Glad to hear you like them, too.
BOOK LOVERS is my first Emily Henry book. I do own PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION. I look forward to read it and more by here. 😀
This was a DNF for me, and I’m kind of glad to see there are other people who didn’t love it. It was my first attempt at a book by this author, so I’m hoping maybe one of her other books I will like.
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2024/03/05/arc-review-promchanted-by-morgan-matson/
Some books just don’t work for us. I’ve DNFd quite a few books everyone else seemed to love. I think it’s better that we don’t all love or hate the same things. 😀
I read this years ago but I loved it.
I wouldn’t have thought of it as a book club pick sot hat’s so interesting that it spurred so much discussion.
Right?! There are a couple of people in my book club that’ll suggest books just because they want to read them, even if they don’t spur a discussion. Most of us do try to pick more discussion-worthy books, but they’re not always voted in.
I enjoyed the book I read by the author of Beartown very much, but I’m not sure that I would like a book about hockey.
I liked Book Lovers a lot, too.
I don’t think BEARTOWN is just about hockey. I think it tackles sexual abuse and how athletes are often not punished because of how much money they can bring into a team, school, town, etc. I think it’ll be a great book for book club with lots to talk about.
I put off reading Book Lovers for ages, I think a lot of the early reviews probably mirrored your book club’s thoughts, but I absolutely adored it and will read anything she writes. I’m looking forward to Funny Story.
I’m glad you ended up loving it, Ellie! 😀 I will also read anything she writes and look forward to reading more by here.