[themify_box style=”lavender announcement rounded”]Here at RCM, we love books. We also love any opportunity participate in an awesome book club. So we decided to smoosh the two together and create the virtual Rocket City Mom Book Club! More info about our next title is below, and you can request to join the conversation here. Happy reading! [/themify_box]

April’s RCM Virtual Book Club title is Where We Belong by Emily Giffin. Join us virtually on April 25th at 8:30 PM to discuss it, and enjoy this review from our Book Correspondent, Shannan Malone.

[themify_quote]Life is fast. And it keeps speeding up… And we just have to make the best of it all.  Our choices. Our fleeting moments together.[/themify_quote]

Engaging but Slightly Predictable?
This was an engaging read. I read it over the course of a couple of days because I genuinely wanted to see what would happened. Wanting to know what happens next is one of my personal benchmarks of a good book.

However, it may have been a bit formulaic. As I was telling the Hubby about the story – I hadn’t finished it yet – he predicted what was going to happen as he was walking out the door to go to work.  While he was gone, I finished and when he returned for lunch, I confirmed that he had nailed it. However, Belong being formulaic doesn’t lessen the enjoyment of the book. Formulas are formulas for a reason, aren’t they? They work.

Examination of Life Choices
Marian, one of the main protagonist, is an accomplished television producer and show-runner. On a side note: I loved the behind-the-scenes peek into the world of running a TV show.

At eighteen, (small spoiler alert) Marian made the difficult decision of putting her daughter up for adoption and then went all-in on her career and goals. I related to Marian’s focus on letting her goals “supersede the journey – and the love of what [she was] doing.” This is a valuable lesson for all of us and throughout the book, Giffin invites us to examine our own life choices as her characters are forced into situations where they most do the same. I always appreciate an entertaining read that teaches me something along the way.

Many Views of Motherhood
Giffin’s characters are very well-rounded. It is obvious that she takes the time to construct and know them intimately. Therefore, she can describe them, and the feelings that they are experiencing, brilliantly. I was equally impressed with her development of her male characters.

I appreciated the way that she depicts adoption in the story. I have never experienced and thus can never fully understand the intricacies of that process. I loved, and hope that it was true to some who have experienced this journey in life, how she showcased the different mothers: birth mothers, adoptive mothers, grandmothers. If there are any adoptive parents, I would love to get your perspective on this in the comments below and/or at the book club meeting.

I enjoy reading books that highlight a human experience for me that I have never had. In this way, books help strengthen my sympathy for the humanity around me. Where We Belong did that for me.

Oh, and may I say, I absolutely LOVED Marian’s father.  A helluva guy!

Get Prepared for the Discussion: Where We Belong Reading & Discussion Guide

[themify_box color=”lavender”]So, what did you think? Let me know in the comments and join us on Thursday, April 25 at 8:30 PM in the RCM Book Club Facebook Group to discuss. Everyone who participates will be eligible to win the next book thanks to Snail On the Wall Books. See you (virtually) there![/themify_box]

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