Tom Lake by Ann Patchett - March 23, 2026

 

This month's meeting was hosted by Cathy, one of our new members.  We had lovely home-made muffins and bread with a variety of preserves, fruit and veggies with lovely dips.  Coffee that was wonderful and tea.  Present were Betty, Carla, Cathy, Colette, Kathleen, Linda, Michèle and Sharon.

We are discussing Sharon's book choice, Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. Ms. Patchett is an American writer whose has written several books.  We read one other of her novels, Commonwealth in January 2017.  She has won several awards and prizes for her writing including the PEN/Faulkner Women's Prize. She co-owns a Parnassus Bookstore in Nashville and is a spokesperson for independent booksellers.  

The story, Tom Lake, is about a family with three grown daughters who come home during the first year of the pandemic to help with the harvest of the family's fruit farm.  As they pick the cherries and other fruit, they ask their mother, Lara about her youth and her time as an actress.  She tells them about her life as a budding theatre actress and her relationship with a young actor, Peter Duke, who has become a famous movie star. 

The iconic play Our Town is an integral part of the story.  Lara in her youth and time as a young stage actress stars in the play as the character Emily and Peter Duke who stars by her side, becomes her lover.  Lara's daughters are curious of the relationship and question her constantly. 

Members in general, enjoyed the novel and felt it is a feel good story about the dynamics of a family during the pandemic.  The story reminded many members of the importance of asking questions of family members and keeping family stories alive. 

Thank you Sharon for the book choice.  Thank you Cathy for hosting, what a pleasant gathering we had! 

The Maid by Nita Prose - February 23, 2026

Molly Gray is not like everyone else. She struggles with social skills and misreads the intentions of others. Her gran used to interpret the world for her, codifying it into simple rules that Molly could live by. 

Since Gran died a few months ago, twenty-five-year-old Molly has been navigating life's complexities all by herself. No matter—she throws herself with gusto into her work as a hotel maid. Her unique character, along with her obsessive love of cleaning and proper etiquette, make her an ideal fit for the job. She delights in donning her crisp uniform each morning, stocking her cart with miniature soaps and bottles, and returning guest rooms at the Regency Grand Hotel to a state of perfection. 

But Molly's orderly life is upended the day she enters the suite of the infamous and wealthy Charles Black, only to find it in a state of disarray and Mr. Black himself dead in his bed. Before she knows what's happening, Molly's unusual demeanor has the police targeting her as their lead suspect. She quickly finds herself caught in a web of deception, one she has no idea how to untangle. Fortunately for Molly, friends she never knew she had unite with her in a search for clues to what really happened to Mr. Black—but will they be able to find the real killer before it's too late? 

A Clue-like, locked-room mystery and a heartwarming journey of the spirit, The Maid explores what it means to be the same as everyone else and yet entirely different—and reveals that all mysteries can be solved through connection to the human heart.

This description comes from Goodreads

The Undertakers Assistant by Amanda Skenandore

This first meeting of the year 2026 was hosted on January 26th at Marg's home.  We discussed Betty's book choice The Undertaker's Assistant by Amanda Skenandore. Along with Marg, Betty, Carla, Kathleen and Sharon attended despite the significant snowstorm that we had on the weekend. Because there was a street parking ban on all Ottawa streets, there was a last minute frenzy of contacting neighbours to obtain enough parking for the attendees,  Car pooling and taking the bus helped the situation.Betty chose the book because she likes historical fiction and the members had previously read another of Amanda Skenandore's books, The Nurse's Secret, last year.

The main character is Effie Jones, a former slave who learned the skill of embalming from an army surgeon whom she lived with after being freed as a slave.

Another prominent character was Adeline, a Creole women of a higher class status than Effie but was not wealthy.

Also, Samson Green, a black man, former slave, an elected public official.

Themes in the book of resilience, identity, racial injustice, personal growth and social change in the post-civil war era in New Orleans, USA.

Most people felt that the book had a slow start and it took them a while to "get into it"

Everyone liked it but didn't love it.  Overall, those who read the Nurse's Secret by the same author, liked it better.

Several people didn't really like the topic of embalming.  We felt Effie likely had some form of Asperger Syndrome as she was very smart but  had difficulties socially.  She was probably a unique person as a former slave who could read and write and had a practical skill which enabled her to be employed and earn money.

Sharon felt there was some good historical info and liked the historical context.  Felt there were lots of pieces in the novel - post-civil war issues, embalming, and romance.

Kathleen felt Samson's character could have been further developed.  Cathy felt it was a very slow start and again, felt it was likely not representative of the typical freed slave.

Carla noted that the reason for Effie leaving Indiana was not well developed.  She also felt that the romance part between Effie and Samson didn't really work.  Also it was a bit unusual for Effie and Adeline to be friends after Adeline had gotten together with Samson.

Betty felt the book was a fascinating and interesting read.

Marg listened to an audiobook and, once she got into it after a slow start, found it interesting.