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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
I honestly thought this book was going to be so much more interesting, based on the plot summary as well as the fact that I found it in the “Lucky You” section at the library! However, the story was slow and also a little unclear. Too many storylines and characters that didn’t quite mesh well together. I also found SO. MANY. grammar errors! I even ran into a few instances where the wrong name was written. In one line it used a main character in a sentence in place of a character that had died in the past. I knew it was a mistake and knew which character the author meant, but it still irked me. I finished it, because it was a fairly quick read, and I did want to find out what happened (it’s really tough for me to DNF a book), but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.
"It's all well and good to congratulate someone on something good that they did, or to acknowledge what's wonderful or exceptional about them. And we should do that; we should never be spiritually stingy. But to say out loud our missteps or inadequacies - to _confess_ in an honest way and to be lovingly heard - well, that's the kind of redemption we need on a regular basis."
Elizabeth Berg's novels are a joy to read. They are quiet and sweet and kind and wind their way through your heart and soul. Her characters are richly layered and multi-dimensional and human. They have flaws, fears, delights and everything in between.
"Apparently, sometimes when you feel yourself done with something, you're not done with it at all."
This lovely story is just like what we've come to expect from Berg, it's about women aged 20 to 70 who meet regularly for "confession club" where they confess to something they feel bad about. Something they are ashamed of or embarrassed to admit out loud. There are a wide range of confessions, from funny to sad to serious but they all have a lot of heart, of course.
"She envies Nola for the way she is always in a rush to do everything, the way she rises so quickly to the possibility of joy. Most of all, she envies Nola her default setting of goodwill toward man, beast, or weather."
It's also about a homeless Vietnam Vet who is finding his way through and meets one of the main characters in the novel. I found him to be a great addition to the story, and really enjoyed his chapters, his journey, and his struggles.
"There are quite a few design flaws in us humans, you know. More than in animals and plants. And I guess we have to cope with them. Don't have to like them, just have to cope with them."
There is some plot in this story but really it's about people, it's about getting old, it's about being lonely, it's about navigating life or marriage or motherhood or friendship. It's about what it means to be human.
"That's what life is, at its best. A confession club: people admitting to doubts, fears and failures."
I am always left with a deep feeling of gratitude when I read Berg's novels. This one is no exception. They make me feel less alone, softer and kinder.
"We forget how ready people are to help. You can talk all you want about the evil spirit of man. But I don't think it's true. I think most of us are just dying to be good. And one way we can do that is to forgive the bad in others as well as in ourselves."
So many good reminders in this story, about taking risks, giving people chances, giving ourselves chances, and most of all about forgiveness. So grateful for writers like Berg.
Huge thanks to netgalley and Random House for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Elizabeth Berg's novels are a joy to read. They are quiet and sweet and kind and wind their way through your heart and soul. Her characters are richly layered and multi-dimensional and human. They have flaws, fears, delights and everything in between.
"Apparently, sometimes when you feel yourself done with something, you're not done with it at all."
This lovely story is just like what we've come to expect from Berg, it's about women aged 20 to 70 who meet regularly for "confession club" where they confess to something they feel bad about. Something they are ashamed of or embarrassed to admit out loud. There are a wide range of confessions, from funny to sad to serious but they all have a lot of heart, of course.
"She envies Nola for the way she is always in a rush to do everything, the way she rises so quickly to the possibility of joy. Most of all, she envies Nola her default setting of goodwill toward man, beast, or weather."
It's also about a homeless Vietnam Vet who is finding his way through and meets one of the main characters in the novel. I found him to be a great addition to the story, and really enjoyed his chapters, his journey, and his struggles.
"There are quite a few design flaws in us humans, you know. More than in animals and plants. And I guess we have to cope with them. Don't have to like them, just have to cope with them."
There is some plot in this story but really it's about people, it's about getting old, it's about being lonely, it's about navigating life or marriage or motherhood or friendship. It's about what it means to be human.
"That's what life is, at its best. A confession club: people admitting to doubts, fears and failures."
I am always left with a deep feeling of gratitude when I read Berg's novels. This one is no exception. They make me feel less alone, softer and kinder.
"We forget how ready people are to help. You can talk all you want about the evil spirit of man. But I don't think it's true. I think most of us are just dying to be good. And one way we can do that is to forgive the bad in others as well as in ourselves."
So many good reminders in this story, about taking risks, giving people chances, giving ourselves chances, and most of all about forgiveness. So grateful for writers like Berg.
Huge thanks to netgalley and Random House for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I think it was a good story but if this is the end of the series it was a lackluster one. I hope she comes out with more.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I received this title as an ARC from Netgalley for an unbiased review.
The Confession Club is my other favorite for this Buzz.
It all started as a Supper Club that met once a month in a rotation of houses. After evolving into Confession Club, the group starts weekly meetings – still with supper, of course. Confession Club features a host of characters, the youngest of whom is 58, and all of them read and feel like people I know in my own life.
I feel like I cannot underline that point enough: Berg writes these characters with such depth and care that I can easily see my group of gal pals reflected in the Confession Club and I love the entire journey.
This book is not a high-stakes drama and is all the better for it. That is not to say it is without plot: Eventually, there are newcomers to Club and someone, of course, confesses to something that takes advice and support from the whole group to resolve. But it is a richly textured story in its telling, both comforting and smart.
Read-alikes include Berg’s first work in what is technically her Mason Series, The Story of Arthur Truluv, as well as Emma Hooper’s Etta & Otto & Russell & James, and Biloxi by Mary Miller.
The Confession Club is my other favorite for this Buzz.
It all started as a Supper Club that met once a month in a rotation of houses. After evolving into Confession Club, the group starts weekly meetings – still with supper, of course. Confession Club features a host of characters, the youngest of whom is 58, and all of them read and feel like people I know in my own life.
I feel like I cannot underline that point enough: Berg writes these characters with such depth and care that I can easily see my group of gal pals reflected in the Confession Club and I love the entire journey.
This book is not a high-stakes drama and is all the better for it. That is not to say it is without plot: Eventually, there are newcomers to Club and someone, of course, confesses to something that takes advice and support from the whole group to resolve. But it is a richly textured story in its telling, both comforting and smart.
Read-alikes include Berg’s first work in what is technically her Mason Series, The Story of Arthur Truluv, as well as Emma Hooper’s Etta & Otto & Russell & James, and Biloxi by Mary Miller.
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Confession Club is the third in Elizabeth Berg's wonderful Mason, Missouri series. After falling in love with The Story of Arthur Truluv and Night of Miracles I was happy to continue along with the residents of this sweet small town. In this book, we meet a group of women who have turned a supper club into something much more revealing- a Confession Club. It's a little like book club, but without the books and with a lot more truth-telling. All those deep dark secrets that have haunted us for years, well, maybe it would feel better if we just let them out? The group of women, ranging in age from mid-thirties to late-seventies, invite Iris and Maddie to join them. Iris has met, and fallen for, someone quite unexpected and Maddie isn't sure what direction her relationship will be taking, but they both find comfort in the talking and the confessing.
This whole series is sweet and cute and comforting. Had a bad day? This is just the right book for you. Need something to distract you from the real world? This'll do the job happily. In the mood for something challenging and thought-provoking? Well, maybe not this, but it will be here as the perfect respite after that more challenging read. I personally love having something light and soft to read after something dark and scary and this is perfect for that very thing.
This whole series is sweet and cute and comforting. Had a bad day? This is just the right book for you. Need something to distract you from the real world? This'll do the job happily. In the mood for something challenging and thought-provoking? Well, maybe not this, but it will be here as the perfect respite after that more challenging read. I personally love having something light and soft to read after something dark and scary and this is perfect for that very thing.
Book 116
First sentence: For Confession Club, Joanie Benson is going to make Black Cake.
Quotes:
At night, in the absence of city light, he spies so many stars that the sky looks salted. P. 43
These little disappointments seem like paper cuts; they can bother you more than the big things do.
I usually love Berg's writing; her characters are so rich and their relationships are incredibly complex. This novel was flat in comparison; the characters didn't exist much outside of their monthly dinners. It read more like a list of only mildly interesting confessions. The Confession Club is a first draft in need of development.
Edited to add: Oops! I just realized I was reading this and confusing Elizabeth Berg for Elizabeth Strout!!! Now I understand why I was disappointed.
First sentence: For Confession Club, Joanie Benson is going to make Black Cake.
Quotes:
At night, in the absence of city light, he spies so many stars that the sky looks salted. P. 43
These little disappointments seem like paper cuts; they can bother you more than the big things do.
I usually love Berg's writing; her characters are so rich and their relationships are incredibly complex. This novel was flat in comparison; the characters didn't exist much outside of their monthly dinners. It read more like a list of only mildly interesting confessions. The Confession Club is a first draft in need of development.
Edited to add: Oops! I just realized I was reading this and confusing Elizabeth Berg for Elizabeth Strout!!! Now I understand why I was disappointed.
I didn’t realize I was reading book 3 of the series until I was halfway done with book and I’m still irritated with myself. It just seems wrong, but I was halfway done and wasn’t going to stop. This isn’t a salacious book. There wasn’t any oh my goodness edge of your seat moments, but it was a well written book about friendships and life. Sometimes things are hard without being devastating and how important it is to have friends that you can be honest and your true self with. I am not rushing to go read books 1 and 2 but I am putting them on my tbr pile.