SRQ Ladies Book Club

We are kicking off 2025 with "The Grace Year" by Kim Liggett. Don't let the lovely title fool you -- this is a dark, dystopian, YA thriller that "examines the complex and sometimes twisted relationships between girls, the women they eventually become, and the difficult decisions they make in-between."

We will meet for lunch and wine at Fiorelli Winery. They serve their own Florida sweet wines, as well as other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and they also offer a small food menu. I plan to try to get outdoor seating, so please dress accordingly for sun protection and whatever January temps come our way!

I ask that everybody finish reading the book before the gathering - it makes for richer discussion! Please keep your RSVP updated 48 hours prior to the meetup so I can plan accordingly with the venue. No shows or late cancellations will be removed from the group; message me privately if you have a legitimate reason for this, and I'll reconsider.

***

No one speaks of the grace year. It’s forbidden.

In Garner County, girls are told they have the power to lure grown men from their beds, to drive women mad with jealousy. They believe their very skin emits a powerful aphrodisiac, the potent essence of youth, of a girl on the edge of womanhood. That’s why they’re banished for their sixteenth year, to release their magic into the wild so they can return purified and ready for marriage. But not all of them will make it home alive.

Sixteen-year-old Tierney James dreams of a better life—a society that doesn’t pit friend against friend or woman against woman, but as her own grace year draws near, she quickly realizes that it’s not just the brutal elements they must fear. It’s not even the poachers in the woods, men who are waiting for a chance to grab one of the girls in order to make a fortune on the black market. Their greatest threat may very well be each other.

With sharp prose and gritty realism, The Grace Year examines the complex and sometimes twisted relationships between girls, the women they eventually become, and the difficult decisions they make in-between.

For our day-after-Valentine's day book club, let's discuss the sex lives of "Three Women" by Lisa Taddeo. This is a "must-read for anyone interested in a challenging and deeply personal exploration of female desire, feminism, and the complexities of human relationships, offering a nuanced and empathetic portrayal of three women's lives that will resonate with readers seeking a powerful and emotional nonfiction narrative." [Storygraph]

We will meet on the Sage rooftop in downtown Sarasota over drinks during sunset. Please note that Sage does NOT serve food or allow outside food on their rooftop, so please plan accordingly and drink responsibly!

I ask that everybody finish reading the book before the gathering - it makes for richer discussion! Please keep your RSVP updated 48 hours prior to the meetup so I can plan accordingly with the venue. No shows or late cancellations will be removed from the group; message me privately if you have a legitimate reason for this, and I'll reconsider.