Book Club with a Tea Tie-In

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Not sure what all you folks are reading, but I know of a good tea mystery series. The author is Laura Childs, and it’s about a tea shop in the South. There’s recipes and a tea tips in the books.

The first one is called DEATH BY DARJEELING.

TeaLady441 said

I love this idea. Sounds like something light after reading AK. And I have a few darleelings. I hope whatever we pick is available as an eBook.

Serenity said

I read the first few Tea Shop mysteries by Laura Childs. Nice to see a tea themed series, isn’t it?

I loved that series, but I’m not so into mysteries anymore. Pretty sure I’ve read everything except the three newest books.

@cav- Not sure about ebooks. Try your local library for paper copies.

Uniquity said

The last time we tried a tea and book club we actually read Death by Darjeeling! It was a nice enough cozy style mystery : )

It’s available as an ebook, just saw it on Amazon. :)

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Josie Jade said

Ok, here is the list we have so far. Anyone feel strongly enough about one of them to make a decision? :)

Life of Pi
The No. One Ladies Detective Agency
Memoirs of a Geisha
The Uninvited Guests
By Blood
American Heiress
The Painted Girls
Death by Darjeeling

Personally, I think American Heiress looks wonderful but I am up for whatever!

American Heiress by ?

Josie Jade said

By Daisy Goodwin. Serenity talks about it on the previous page of this post. :)

Serenity said

:: a whisper from the crowd:: American Heiress.
Who said that? Well…ok, how about American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin? It looks interesting but not strenuous, historical without being weighed down by lots of factual stuff, a little mysterious, a bit romantic, maybe? I don’t know if I’ll like it, but I am willing to try it! What do you say, club?

Oops, I missed that on page 7. Thanks:)

Serenity said

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley: has anyone read this? I’m putting it on my wish list; should I add it to consider for our next book here?? Or have we got enough choices for now? Well… Here’s a review from a reader on Amazon: This is not a gothic, time travel or a torrid romance. It is a flawlessly crafted novel set in two time periods with a romantic relationship in each. From the first page, I was immersed in the story. Kearsley’s sense of place is evocative; I was with the characters in sight, sound and even smell.

Her characters became real to me. In the present day, Carrie is a wonderful protagonist; smart and independent, as is Sophie in the past. Surrounded by a strong group of supporting characters, I felt I could sit down and have a chat with any of them. The plot is so well done and flows beautifully between the two time periods.

TeaLady441 said

I think I’d like to do American Heiress or the Winter Sea. Sounds like those are ones that are ‘book club recommended’, and ones that we haven’t read yet.

I’ve read Memoirs of a Geisha and Life of Pi and I loved them – so re-reading them would be fine.

I may just read Death by Darjeeling on my own as it sounds like a nice fun read, although a few have read it before already!

Alphakitty said

My vote is for American Heiress—I’ve read Memoirs of a Geisha (in fact a month ago!) and it seems most people have already read Life of Pi as well.

Serenity said

American Heiress would help me cope between episodes of Downton Abbey!

Josie Jade said

So American Heiress it is? What date does everyone think sounds reasonable? Perhaps a month and a half, so mid-March? We will have to find a tea-worthy blend (or more than one!)

Josie Jade said

If we decide to go with this one the book is available on half.com for $1.49 and my local library has it also. It seems that there’s another book with the same title by a different author, so make sure it’s by by Daisy Goodwin.

Josie Jade said

Well I just looked up The Winter Sea and it looks excellent also. You all can decide, I am just wanting to read them all! :)

yssah said

it’s a pretty old book but how about Tuesdays with Morrie? ive read it before but i’d read it again coz its got so many nuggets, i think i even took down notes (but theyre gone now)

this book came to mind while i was wondering what book would be good to drink tea with and this is a kind of book that makes you reflect just like tea does :)

Serenity said

Good morning, Steepsters! (Morning here on the west coast) Yssah, hi there! :) Tuesdays with Morris is a lovely book; I read it many years ago. Good idea to consider books outside novels. If it were just me, I’m torn between reading The American Heiress and The Winter Sea. I have ordered both! I honestly do not mean to dither, nor dally; it’s just hard to choose! If I had to vote right now I’d go for The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin, just because I’m on such a Downton obsession kick but The Winter Sea would be next on my nightstand! Regardless, I am truly happy with any book you all vote upon. I’m just so pleased this book club is up, running and continuing!

TeaRunner said

I’m torn between “The Winter Sea” and “American Heiress”…
“Death by Darjeeling” also sounds good – seems like a lighter fare after what we have just been through (Right, Terri?)
I’m mentioning it in case somebody is counting votes…
But I’ll gladly go with what the Club members decide.

Alphakitty said

The Winter Sea does sound intriguing, maybe for next month? I’ve got American Heiress downloaded and ready to go after I finish the book I’m working on!

Serenity said

Looks like folks are mulling over: The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin, The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley and Death by Darjeeling by Laura Childs. Let’s wait for Josie and think about voting. I won’t suggest any more books, k? : P

@ TeaRunner: That’s exactly why I’m reading the latest Dresden book! Excitement, adrenaline, humor, etc!

SO, I just perused Amazon, & came up with a few interesting books. Now I know we’re pretty much settled on either the American Heiress or Winter Sea, & either one is fine, along with Death by Darjeeling (which sounds like fun). So these listings that I culled from Amazon are for some future month’s consideration, but I want to list them now, so I won’t forget!! Here they are:
“The Tea Goddess” by Dekker Dreyer (a free download right now, BTW. I went ahead & nabbed it)
“The Long Dark-Tea Time of the Soul” coming out in February…might be interesting, by Douglas Adams
“Tea with Emma” the Teacup Novellas book 1 by Diane Moody
“The Snow Child” by Eowyn Ivey
“Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” by Lisa See

Like I said, I’m just tossing them out here for some future possibilities!

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I’m pretty much neutral. I’m reading Cold Days (Dresden files) right now, but I’ll finish that quickly & download whatever it is we decide to read next…

Serenity said

I am reading The Uninvited Guests by Sadie Jones and it is so good: entertaining, amusing, with this encroaching scariness—!

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yssah said

back to AK, which character do you relate to the most and why?

Serenity said

Good question! I felt connection and sympathy with each character because Tolstoy was so genius at describing their inner landscapes. Levin and Kitty felt like people I’d be good friends with: they seemed to each find his/her way and then fall in love so deeply and realistically together. The details about the wedding, and before that, their courtship, and then their quarreling in the early months of marriage— all so true to life and endearing. How about you?

I agree, Tolstoy seemed to have & relate a good sense of the real thoughts & feelings of each character so well. My favorite character was Levin, because I enjoyed his thought processes & philosophies.

yssah said

i relate to all their weaknesses: that of Dolly and her husband, and Kitty and Levine, and Ana! honestly, i am afraid to marry and risk being betrayed but as good as i believe myself to be, i am even more dreadly afraid that i might be unfaithful myself! (heaven forbid)

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so I know I’m arriving a little late to the party, I’m planning on finally picking up Anna Karenina myself [I wish I’d been here and seen this back in november when it started] I attempted it over the summer but couldn’t get past the first chapter or so. Anyway I’ve downloaded a version to my phone for reading, would it be possible to get a sample of the ROT Anna Karenina?

Serenity said

Hi there! Just wondering if you’d like to help choose the new book for our second book club tea tasting and participate? If you look above, we are trying to decide on a book, such as The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin. If you are on fire to read Anna Karenina, I understand, though! : )

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TeaLover58 said

Anyone heard of the new book that apparently came out on the 29th called The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd? Apparently there’s a tea that goes with it called “Sweet Madness”, but I was unable to find the tea for sale. :( There’s even a picture on the teabag of the front cover of the book.

Serenity said

Oh my gosh, I’ll have to check that out!

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Josie Jade said

Ok, it seems like the majority are voting for The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin. I will start a new discussion thread for this book. Feel free to continue discussing Anna K here. We can refer back to this thread in March when we are choosing the next book. :)

Serenity said

….and guess what JUST arrived in the mail? The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin. I am looking forward to starting it, hopefully this weekend. Looking forward to discussing what tea(s) will pair nicely with this novel.

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