So, did everyone finish reading "The Light Between Oceans" and have a little time to recover? All I have to say is that our August book ("The Secret Keeper") better be happier!

I knew I was done for as soon as I met the main characters, Izzy (really!??) and Tom.  However, despite the UBER depressing story of love, lies, deception and parenting, I truly liked this tale.  The details about Australia were compelling, the narration about life as a lighthouse keeper was interesting, the tale of baby Lucy was heart-wrenching and I could not put the book down.

However, I was literally sobbing at the end.  I was snorting-alone-on-the-couch-style crying.  A bit intense!

I especially loved the tender moments between Tom and Lucy and the description of their beautiful connection.  Also, I loved to see how the resolution of the tale worked out.  Don't worry, I won't spoil any more!

What did you think? Also, how beautiful was the cover art?

June's Book Club pick was "And the Mountains Echoed" by Khaled Hosseini, author of "The Kite Runner" and "A Thousand Splendid Suns".  The book was set in Afghanistan, just as his others were, and told the tragic tale of the interwoven lives of several people living in the transitional years before, during and after the Taliban in Afghanistan.  The story was EXTREMELY sad, the book club was a little up in arms about reading such a depressing book (sorry girls!), but Hosseini writes so poignantly and with such talent, that the terrible tale of others disaster and misfortune is still a compelling tale.  We all cried, right?  I hope so.

I always enjoy a story that has the "Crash movie effect".  In other words, everyone's lives are interconnected and woven in such a complicated and interrelated plot.  In the end, the sad tales of one's life are related so closely to the plot of another and it is so very intriguing  to me at least!

What did you guys think?

Join our book club here: 13 in 2013 on Facebook.

Next up, "The Light Between Oceans" for July.  (It's realllllllly good!)

Also, have you checked out this blog (Joy the Baker)?  She has a great round up of Book Club ideas and a collaborative summer reading list!  I love it.  We may have to continue this Book Club for years and years, to get through all of these books! :)

I'll be the first to admit, that I was very skeptical when Jessie picked this month's book.  I fear the self-help section of the library and often get giggly and immature about relationship books in general.  However, "The Normal Bar" surprised me with its practical advice, interesting statistics and constructive, interesting ideas for increasing "normal" in relationships. What I found most interesting is that the advice that was intended for couples can be used in all relationships, including those at work.  In my high school Spanish classroom, I deal with a variety of personalities with an even more vast variety of backgrounds.  At times this can be frustrating but with new, refreshed eyes, one can see that all that needs to be done is to "establish a new normal" as this book suggests.  With a standard of behavior, people (students) can learn how to accept their surroundings and work to achieve the standard set by that adult.  It's all so intriguing!

What did you think, "book clubbers"?

Also, I loved the Book Club questions provided by the Normal Bar site and thought that I would share the answers to some of my favorite questions with you to get the discussion rolling.

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Not really.  I think that there are "crushes" at first sight, but my definition of love depends very heavily on a long-friendship followed by more love. :)

Do you believe friends make good life partners and lovers?

ABSOLUTELY!  I love my best friend.

Do you think sharing the same religious and/or political views really make or break a relationship?

I do not think that this is as important as similar life-perspectives.  When people are of different religious backgrounds, they may still share the same perspective on issues that they consider important.  Also, spiritual feelings can be very different between people of the same religion *I have seen this a lot among Catholics!.  Political views are a little trickier in my opinion because people LOVE to talk about politics at dinner, parties, happy hours, etc.  Sometimes its fun to debate, but both parties have to be interested in the debate (and debate fairly!) or it can kill a relationship, in my opinion.

Does money buy relationship happiness?

Nope.  I sure hope not!

Do you believe it is OK to keep financial information from your partner?

I do not.  But, I am not sure that this is part of establishing the "normal bar" in each person's relationship.

What is the most fulfilling aspect of your relationship?

Prepare yourself for sappiness...

I love having a smiling person come home each day and seeing the reaction on my two year olds face.

I love having someone who consistently supports, believes in me, encourages me and challenges me.

The (other) most fulfilling thing is having a best friend who I also have a crush on, still...after a long, long time!