Let’s just clear something up, you need to join a book club. Just not my book club, because my book club is full! He he. In last week’s book review of ‘Sleep‘, I mentioned that I now belong to a book club. 16yr old Simone is probably shaking her head so hard at me back in 1997….wondering how we even got to this. I always thought….what is the point of a freakin book club….could there be anything more boring?? Well, I am eating humble pie, and telling you…that YOU…you reading this, you need to join a book club! Why? How do I love thee book club? Let me count the ways…..

1. Reading is an escape

So it’s no secret, I love reading! In 2019, we are all battling with some form of anxiety, depression, stress…. life is hectic! Reading is an escape….one where I don’t have to think about anything else, but the words I’m reading on the page. I also don’t have to worry about my book giving me cancer (those killer waves our cellphones apparently emit) or damaging my eyes and ageing my skin…. damn you blue light!

2. Making time to meet with like minded people

Already, you and the members of your book club all love reading. There’s your hook for creating new friendships, cementing old ones and just taking the time to connect with other humans. In real life folks! The 3D version of online interaction. How cool right?

3. Did I mention wine?

We go together
Like rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong

That song, from Grease is actually about wine, cheese platters and book club! They go together like rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong. For real! Is there anything better than a get together that has cheese platters and wine? Water for the non drinkers…. just not Black forest cake guys….black forest cakes and wine do not go together. Janine…I hope you’re taking notes 😉

4. Reading genres that you may not have chosen for yourself

Okay so this one, I haven’t quite experienced yet, because, as the resident book blogger, I’ve been tasked with choosing the books. You know, this gal is a thriller-lover inside and out, and that’s the genre I keep choosing. There will be a day though, when one of the other gals will choose and maybe force me to read a Mills and Boons book….though please, girls if you’re reading this, don’t make me read Mills and Boons. Asseblief.

5. Book club is therapeutic

Gals….the therapy session is free…minus your entry fee of one bottle of wine...and your book, but I mean, sounds like a deal to me. With ‘Sleep’, we used the questions provided at the end of the book and we did so much reflection! There we were, talking about our childhood and our upbringing….it was fantastic. Nobody cried though, so that was good….but we laughed….. A LOT.

6. It’s really just fun

This may be a duplication of point no.2, but I make time for book club. It’s the highlight of my month, where I know I’m going to relax, snack and chat to an amazing group of women. It’s needed….for me….and for them too. Come rain (and it rained BUCKETS at our 2nd meeting) or shine….we’re there, because we want to be.

So what are you going to do now? Join a book club….right?? lol. To get you started on your path, may I suggest some good reads for your first selection:

Run Away – A thrilling novel about how far a parent will go to save their child. I cannot recommend this book enough! 5/5 stars! 

The Neighbour – A chilling and heartbreaking psychological thriller….about a serial killer in a neighbourhood….full of secrets. A chilling 5 star read!

The Chalk Man – A very popular supernatural thriller, the debut novel of CJ Tudor. 

The Warehouse – A dystopian thriller….that explores what happens when Big Brother meets Big Business!

GIVEAWAY

While I was typing this post up, I thought….why not give people some books to start their book club with?? So I have 2 books to give away today:

• The Chalk Man
• The Warehouse
• I may include a children’s book if the winner has kids, depending on what I have ‘in stock’ and if it is age appropriate 🙂 

How to enter:

1. Comment on this post with what you’d name your book club.
2. Optional: Tag a friend on the giveaway post that you’d love to start a book club with, or just tag a fellow reader:

• • Facebook post
  • Instagram post

Rules:

1. This competition is only open to readers residing in South Africa.
2. The giveaway will run until MIDNIGHT, on Friday, 4th October 2019, with a winner being selected at random shortly afterwards.  I will announce the winners of my giveaway on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, so make sure you follow me so you don’t miss the announcement.
3. If no reply to my email has been received within 72hrs, a new winner will be selected.
4. Ensure you complete the necessary steps to validate your entries. I have no choice but to disqualify any incorrect entries received.
5. Please allow 2 to 4 weeks for delivery.

PS Most images taken from Pexels…How stunning are the book stacks with the macarons??? I can only wish to ever take such beautiful photos!

PSS I have 2 other giveaways up at the moment:

• Win an amazing book and beauty hamper worth over R2 000.
• Win a Netflorist arrangement for your kid’s teacher.