I Dream of Book Clubs

Ever since I read Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik, I have had book club fantasies. Lorna Landvik is a witty storyteller, and, while I love all her books, the ladies of Angry Housewives are my favorite characters. Their story is one of neighborhood women who bond through book club. They are very different people, but they are resilient, committed friends. I want to be an Angry Housewife. I want to join their club.

I asked at the local library about any book clubs in the area. Unfortunately, the only one she could tell me about only had openings when one of its members was put into a nursing home or died. While I have no problem with octogenarians, I don't know how tolerant they'd be of my kids' nap times and runny noses.

Making friends can be hard for us grown ups. Too often, I find myself only talking to the adults whom I have to speak, the dentist's receptionist, the Discover card service rep, the grocery store check out woman. Even though these are perfectly nice people, the chatter is generally confined to what we are both trying to get done.

I have a book club fantasy. Laughing women are gathered in a warm, yellow lit room. We drape ourselves on chairs or root onto the floor. Finger foods have been sampled into non-existence on a table in the middle of our joyous circle. It's getting late, but no one notices. We are too busy gossiping and debating, solving the problems of the world.

Though this image is only the whimsy of my mind, I would like to join any book club that would take me as a member. Maybe I'll start one. I should start one.

Any tips on where to begin? I'm really bad at this friend stuff...