Agawam Pageturners' Book Discussion of The Red Thread by Ann Hood

The group had a good discussion about The Red Thread. Most liked the book. The book tells the story of six couples who for various reasons want to adopt baby girls from China. Maya, who has founded The Red Thread Adoption Agency, is their guide to getting these babies. She has had her own tragedy; her baby girl died when she dropped her getting her out of the bathtub. She leaves her husband Adam in Hawaii, and forms a new life in Rhode Island by starting the agency, connecting hundreds of couples with children. Besides hearing the stories of the American families looking to adopt, the book also told the stories of the Chinese families putting the girl up for adoption. People thought the book did a good job of showing real characters with diverse stories. Some thought some of the plot lines were contrived, but others thought these devices were the author's prerogative. Others thought there was too much sex in the book. Other than those comments people enjoyed the book.

Night Bookers' Book Club's Discussion of Revere Beach Boulevard by Roland Merullo

The group had a great discussion about this book. Most people liked the book. They were drawn into the characters. They thought the plot was great; they were always waiting for the shoe to drop. Some thought the plot was dark. Others disagreed because of the bonds between the family members were so strong. The story is about an Italian family in Revere. The son Peter has a gambling addiction, and he is in trouble with his debt to the mob. He has a sister Joanie, who is a news anchor in Boston investigating the mob. Their mother Lucy is terminally ill. The father, Vito, tries to talk to the head of the mob, Eddie, to offer to payoff his son's debt. Everybody has secrets from one another. Alfonse is a cop who is a family friend who tries to help the family. Elsie loves Peter despite his addiction and problems. One person commented that the book really nailed down the picture of addiction for the addicted and the family and friends of the addicted. People enjoyed discussing and found a lot to talk about in this book.