If you missed the announcement on my Facebook page, I announced officially that my Copia book club will be starting our first book this week – The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
About The House at Riverton:
From the book’s description: The House at Riverton is a gorgeous debut novel set in England between the wars. It is the story of an aristocratic family, a house, a mysterious death and a way of life that vanished forever, told in flashback by a woman who witnessed it all and kept a secret for decades.
Grace Bradley went to work at Riverton House as a servant when she was just a girl, before the First World War. For years her life was inextricably tied up with the Hartford family, most particularly the two daughters, Hannah and Emmeline.
In the summer of 1924, at a glittering society party held at the house, a young poet shot himself. The only witnesses were Hannah and Emmeline and only they — and Grace — know the truth.
In 1999, when Grace is ninety-eight years old and living out her last days in a nursing home, she is visited by a young director who is making a film about the events of that summer. She takes Grace back to Riverton House and reawakens her memories. Told in flashback, this is the story of Grace’s youth during the last days of Edwardian aristocratic privilege shattered by war, of the vibrant twenties and the changes she witnessed as an entire way of life vanished forever.
The novel is full of secrets — some revealed, others hidden forever, reminiscent of the romantic suspense of Daphne du Maurier. It is also a meditation on memory, the devastation of war and a beautifully rendered window into a fascinating time in history.
How to join in the discussion:
First, if you haven’t joined Copia yet, go sign up for free. Then click over to my House at Riverton – Part One discussion. This week, I’m starting with PART ONE of the book (about 130 pages) and have started a few discussion questions (don’t worry – anything with a spoiler will be marked as such). So, grab the book if you haven’t gotten it already and jump in!
If you aren’t up to reading or can’t get through that much this week, there are still many questions that are more thoughtful and story-related than content-specific. In other words, you have no excuse…
Why join a book club?
- You love to read
- You love talking about the books you’re reading
- You enjoy getting into discussions with other people (book-related or not)
- You want to read but need a little motivation
- You’re looking for good books to read
- You don’t know what to do with all your free time
Ok, that last one is a joke. Obviously, none of us have an abundance of free time, but why NOT carve out some time for yourself? I have been active in a book club for the last few years, and I have found it to be my getaway, my night out with friends. I have come to realize that a lot of the joy that I have in reading a book comes through sharing that book with others. Just this past month, I read two books and didn’t know anyone else who had read them and could discuss them with me. It literally drove me crazy, and I convinced two of my daughters and my mom to read the books so we could all talk about it together (and, yes, I am planning on reading the Divergent series with you guys as soon as I can!).
Disclosure: I am partnering with Copia to promote and spread the word about their services, but all thoughts included on my blog and within my Copia Book Club are my own.
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How exciting, I would love to join, will just get my hands on the book this weekend! What a great idea. :)