Happy happy BOOK CLUB DAY!
Goodness, I love Book Club Day 🙂 .
We are kicking off the week with Book Club #28!
If you would like to read the “rules” of Shay’s Book Club and see a complete list of every book we’ve read as a group along with my personal “star” ratings, they are all RIGHT HERE.
In this blog post and in the comment section, WE WILL BE DISCUSSING SPOILERS. If you are interested in reading this book, you might not want to read below this line. In JUNE’S BOOK REVIEW later this month, I will give a quick recap and let you know if I recommend the book or not, so if you haven’t read it, you might want to wait until that official BOOK REVIEW because there will be no spoilers and based on that, you can decide whether or not to read the book.
Anything below this though will include spoilers as everyone commenting here has already read the book.
Ready, set, here we go!
This month’s book was…
…Summer State of Mind by Kristy Woodson Harvey.
Agh!
You guys.
I have so many thoughts.
My first and most important thought is that I typically LOVE novels by Kristy Woodson Harvey. They’re light and sweet and happy and not too cheesy. I was just certain this would be the perfect book to kick off the summer season.
Clearly, after reading said book, that did not happen.
I’m just bummed because this was a terrible book club pick. Ugh. I read other books this month that would have been MUCH BETTER to discuss. The whole time I was reading this one, I kept thinking “ugh, why did I pick this book for book club?!”.
Needless to say, boo.
Here are a few of my notes:
#1: If this was your first book by Harvey to read, read others! Don’t give up on this author! She has so many great books like A Happier Life or The Summer of Songbirds or The Wedding Veil. Read one of those instead.
#2: Not to be too picky here, but this book never felt “summery”, so I was confused by the title. It took place before/after Easter. That in itself confused me.
#3: Call me crazy, but I just think that if a brand new baby is found in a dumpster behind a high school, it’s going to be a bigger deal than in this book. That would end up on the news, right? That would be all anyone was talking about, no? I thought it was kind of glossed over.
#4: There were sooooooo many things happening at one time in this book. Abandonment, infertility, ovarian cancer, adoption, spousal death, multiple women having babies and hiding the pregnancies…it was a bit of a soap opera because, while all of those topics are important, when they’re back to back to back to back and surface level/no big deal, it felt like “shallow” drama.
#5: Things I didn’t think would “really” happen: Mason and Daisy knowing who the birth parents were but not saying anything, Daisy’s mom just coincidentally walking into her house, Amelia leaving her twins with a total stranger she just met to go on vacation, Daisy wanting to keep the baby “at all cost” even if that means Sarah gets in trouble.
The ending was happy, but good grief, it was just one drama after another without any substance.
Boo.
I am so so so hopeful that next month’s book will be much better for our little club…
…The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett. I have only heard great things about this one.
Whew.
I mean, if you think I’m wrong and you loved this month’s book, please tell me.
Let’s chat in the comment section!
Happy start to your week, friends! xx
Elspeth Mizner says
I’ve heard great things about the July pick!
Can’t wait to add it to my list!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Debbie Dehrer says
The title was definitely confusing, and there was a lot going on, but overall I still enjoyed it. It definitely glossed over a lot, and things happened quickly with little development, but it was a lot of fun”lighter” than the last book I read, so it did feel like a break to me. Overall, my favorite character was Aunt Tilly. She made no sense, but I still loved how she loved her people well even in the midst of her confusion.
Becky says
The book was ok. Same, as I was reading it, I was thinking, when is it summer? I couldn’t wait to finish thd book as I was reading it so I could start my next book. The only good thing is that I was picturing a setting like the show Sweet Magnolias in my head as I was reading it.
Jennifer Maynard says
Completely agree! I rarely DNF a book but this book I did! It just was unbelievable. So many things that didn’t make sense; like the nurse just moving to town and then she is babysitting the sisters kids for a weekend.
C Whit says
I agree. I am halfway done with this book and it feels like DNF but I am listening on audio so I may just wrap it up. It feels so unrealistic and so many parts that should be a big deal just aren’t. It was a miss for me too!
Shannon Wager says
I read the book. I would give it a 3.5. Not one of her better reads, but not horrible.
Here’s what summer meant in her title though … it’s more of a symbolic meaning of a “state of mind” rather than purely the time of year.The title is not meant to be a literal date restriction, but rather a thematic representation of the story:Symbolic Meaning: “Summer” represents laxer schedules, fewer rules, and a season of healing, freedom, and starting fresh.
Hope this helps.
Cindi says
Thank you, Shannon! Perfect description of the meaning of the title! It was indeed a fresh start for Daisy. And it became a season of healing for her, that led to freedom by letting go of most of the baggage she had on arrival. I enjoyed the book. I agree with Shay, in that A LOT was going on with all the different characters, BUT life is like that at times, especially in small towns where many are connected, in one way or another. Life can be messy and beautiful at the same time! Daisy’s life shows that in this book.
Jennibell says
Oh, you have picked THE book for book club this month. This is the first time I have ever been an early reader! If you and your readers don’t love it…well…I’d like the perspective as to “why” 😉
Thanks for hosting these every month!!!
Maureen says
Well, I can’t comment on the current pick because I’ve been on Libby waitlist for it forever but I just finished Calamity Club and it lives up to the hype! It is long but it is amazing!
Sheaffer says
Gosh I’m so glad I didn’t read this book. 😉
Heather says
Ok, that made me LOL this morning!
Kristen says
I just read this book and it was the worst book I have read this year! Ugh, I usually love her books but this was horrible. Horrible characters, horrible plot. I almost gave up on it but pushed through. I told everyone I know that has this on hold not to bother w/ this one.
Just read Katherine Center , ” The Shippers” and it was a great beach read!!! Highly reccomend.
Janette says
This is the first book I have read by her. I’m 2/3 finished. I picked it up because of the title. Yes, tis spring. I just read what will probably be my book of the year (Finding Grace), so this one doesn’t come close.
Amy Scott says
Now I know we definitely have the same tastes in books. I DNF’ed this and I was angry! It was sooooo bad. The twin parents left the country with a virtual stranger? Everything was unrealistic. I thought there is no way this author can be a parent, but she is!
Katie Compton says
Wow… I guess I chose wisely when I skipped this one, haha! I had others on my Kindle I wanted to read first, and I read some great ones this month. BUT I do have next month’s pick on my list so I’m excited about that!
Ginger says
I had to force myself to finish this month’s book. I was very disappointed. HOWEVER, The Calamity Club will most likely end up on your top 3 of the year. Not quite Theo of Golden, but it is very good. I both listened and read (back and forth), and I highly recommend listening to at least some of it. The narrators do a great job with the voices.
Jessica says
Agreed, there were just too many things glossed over in this book… it drove me nutty.
Calamity Club is an amazing choice for next month. I just finished it and LOVED it! It’s probably my favorite book of the year so far. For anyone worried about the length… listen to it on Audible. The narrator is incredible- she brought the whole book to life!
YOLANDA MCLEAN says
I agree the narration of Calamity Club is amazing. The narrators of Summer State of Mind – it was bad almost B movie like.
Erika Slaughter says
I’m SHOCKED you didn’t love this one! HAHAHA! Seriously, I would have predicted this would be a Shay favorite!
Karen says
Yes to July’s pick. @jennibell…my sister said “If you don’t like Calamity Club, not sure I like you!” Hahahaha! The audible version was sooo great!.
Susan P Fitzpatrick says
I definitely will not be reading this book but will take your word regarding better books from this author!
Ashley says
I couldn’t wait for this book to be over. It was so unrealistic. It was a painful listen.
I just finished The Calamity Club and I highly recommend Audible. I loved the characters!! Long book but so good!!
Amy Hardy says
I am reading Calamity Club right now and I’m so excited it’s a book club pick. Im about 1/2 way through and don’t want it to ever end! Can’t wait to hear the reviews. Happy reading!!
AJ says
I opted out of this book because the Goodreads reviews were not good. Several nurses chimed in about how unethical the situation was, and so I had no interest. The July pick is almost 29 hours on Audible, but it is so good!
Jeanie H says
I asked in one of your last posts but I don’t think you saw it…but since this one is book club, have you been able to attend or participate in any of the Nantucket Book Festival events? Elin and Tim’s podcast is one of my all time favorites and it would be a dream to attend! Ann Patchett was there…she is my favorite author.
Mix and Match Mama says
I haven’t! Right now, it’s the Nantucket Film Festival, and I haven’t participated in any of that either. I need to add both to my “to do” list in the years ahead.
Jeanie H says
Yes! That would be so fun to hear about, I would love the experience of someone I read everyday who was there in a “live” aspect,
Heather D. Henderson says
I agree with everything and appreciate the perspective on the title being more about a state of mind. As a former adoption social worker, I found the handling of an abandoned baby disrespectful to both
birth parents and adoptive parents. If I were a nurse, I would also have been insulted with the portrayal of Daisy. This was one star for me.
stacy says
I was up in the air about trying this one since I’d been reading some negative reviews, but I’ve like some of her previous books, so I gave it a shot. And I agree that it wasn’t her best. I felt like I never truly knew the characters. On a positive I liked reading about North Carolina. I’m excited to read The Calamity Club.
Margaret says
I was still waiting for it from the library so I am thankful for the heads up… I just canceled my library hold 🙂 I am currently listening to Calamity Club on audiobook..I am a huge reader and never do audio but was told if you were going to ever try listen to an audiobook, this is the one to do it because of well it is narrated and the voices etc.. and I am several chapters in and I have to agree and get the hype! I am strongly suggesting you listen to it versus read it. It’s amazing!
Patt says
I chose not to read this one, but I just finished next month’s book. It’s long in a good way and so absorbing, one of the few that you think about when you’re not reading it, and can’t wait to get back to it.
Kristy says
I didn’t love it either. I had already read it when you picked it and was disappointed. However, Calamity Club is so good!!
Susie Harrold says
I just finished The Calamity Club and it’s a definite winner! Laugh out loud in a few parts and really hard to read in others. It gives you a sober view of life for women in the 30s. She is a gifted author for sure.
Kim Kiser says
I just finished The Calamity Club-it’s fantastic!!
Janet says
Wow! I literally just started the Calamity Club this morning, and now I see it is the pick for book club! Yay:)
Debbie M says
I predict your July pick will MORE than make up for this month’s pick. I loved Calamity Club so much..hope you do too!
Lindsey says
I loved the Calamity Club!!
Pat says
I just finished The Calamity Club. It is excellent!! You will have so much to talk about.
Alison says
Yes to everything you said! The title and the cover had me giddy to read this, and they were both misleading.
Debbie Hibbert says
Oh my goodness, I’m glad I wasn’t the only one! Two ⭐’s from me too!
This book was all over the place. And yes, new born baby found in dumpster … felt so under-developed. So many things, in this book, that felt very unrealistic.
Jenn says
This was not my favorite by Kristy Woodson Harvey. But I enjoyed Aunt Tilly’s return.
I’m excited for Calamity Club
Kerry Shelton says
Calamity Club is SO good!!!! The audiobook version is amazing-do yourself a favor and listen to it!!
Patti says
I listened to The Calamity Club and loved it! The narrator was great and there are so many laugh out loud moments. It was quite an eye opener to have a better understanding how some higher social life families handled adversity.
Amy Owens says
Gosh, I couldn’t agree more. This book was so unrealistic. It just took these deep subjects/story lines and glazed over them with zero feeling or emotion added in. I felt like it was written by a high school student for a fiction class. Very disappointing for sure!
Susan Dike says
Just finished the Calamity Club and highly recommend the audio. It’s a long read at over 600 pages Not sure how I felt about it and will anxiously await July’s discussion.
Dani R. says
This one fell flat for me. I listened to it on audible and the only thing that made it somewhat interesting were the narrators and their different voices. I have no idea why it was called “Summer State of mind” since nothing happened in the summer. So many characters and moving parts. Hard pass for me.
Beverly says
I guess I’m the minority here. I enjoyed the book. I read it for the story. I don’t over analyze the why’s in a book.
YOLANDA MCLEAN says
I agree with your rating. I actually went back and confirmed that I was reading the right book twice because of how flat it was falling. It was overly predictable and unrealistic. The audio version of this book is one of the very worst I have listened to and I have listened to a lot of audiobooks. I have read Calamity Club for another book club and I’m excited to read next months comments.