Book Review from Lella

  I just finished a GREAT book....new fiction by an LDS author...it came out in March.  Title:  "Olivia" by Julie Wright (with the subtitle: The Newport Ladies Book Club).  I saw this on sale in the Deseret Book circular and was interested, but put off looking around for it.  Then  a couple of months later I saw another entry in the Deseret Book circular that advertised a book entitled  "Daisy" by Josi Kilpack (the Lemon Tart author) and AGAIN with the subtitle: The Newport Ladies Book Club.  Now I was thoroughly confused, but too busy to check out the situation. 

     The day after my BYU workshop was over, I took back my books to the Library  and looking for something new, I checked up on the shelf of new LDS fiction and there was "Olivia", so I checked it out.  We need to read these and read them NOW.  They have spiritual messages covering service, friendship, marriage, motherhood, life's problems, being a woman, religion, etc.  There are 4 books, and only 2 are out now.  The first is "Olivia" (Julie Wright)...then "Daisy" (Josi Kilpack)....then "Paige" (Annette Lyon) ....and the last is "Athena"  (Heather B. Moore).    

     The explanation is in the Acknowledgments.  Julie Wright explains that she and Josi Kilpack came up with the idea of the four of them writing a series together and they came up with the Newport Ladies Book Club.  In "Olivia", even though this first book is about Olivia and her problems, all the other characters are introduced and the book club is formed and the friendships begin.  She says: " We decided to write from the viewpoint of different characters.  In each of the books, you'll get some of each character's story, but only by reading all four books will you get the full picture and discover the ending to all four lives."  "Olivia" was a can't-put-it-down book.  I am returning the Library copy tomorrow and beginning a search for a copy of "Daisy" which is the next one out (Josi Kilpack).  There was a teaser for "Daisy" in the back of "Olivia."  I'm hooked.  Paige, by the way, is the only Mormon in the group.  I can't wait to hear her story.  I think that is book #3.

    Then there is this comment on the face page before Chapter one:  'For ideas on hosting your own book club, suggestions for books, and recipes, or information on how you can guest-write about your book club on our blog, please visit us at http://thenewportladiesbookclub.blogspot.com."  Erin, you need to visit their blog and decide whether you want to "guest-write about our book club."  At the first meeting of the Newport Ladies Book Club, Olivia brings cookies just because that is the way she works and the recipe for the White Chocolate Chip-Cranberry Cookies is at the end of the book.  Also, the books they talk about are real and sound good  This looks like a fun....very fun......VERY informative book.  It is also a tear jerker......at least a 2 hankie job.  It has the right ending and is well written and worth reading.  I would tell you more but I don't want to spoil it for anyone.  I think we should read these NOW and not wait until our next book club meeting, since it is about book clubs and book club friends.  If #3 "Paige" is out by our next meeting, it should be included.  I'm telling you that all of us need this one.  You'll see why when you've read the first one.  I think the word should go on the blog, but also to everyone who has EVER  attended our book club.  I have sent this to a few, but not all.

    Wow.