Book Drives San Francisco

May · Cuba · The Tyranny of Flies

For May, we're reading the novel The Tyranny of Flies by Elaine Vilar Madruga (Cuba). Please see the Goodreads link for the complete description: [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199865473-the-tyranny-of-flies?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_13](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199865473-the-tyranny-of-flies?ref=nav_sb_ss_1_13). 256 pages, audiobook and e-book available.

The Swapping of the Books📚

Let’s swap some books and hang out with fellow book lovers! Maybe have a beer or two. Bring at least one book to swap, and make sure to take any books back with you that don’t get taken. We look forward to seeing you all there!

East Bay Women's Book Club May Meetup: Best Offer Wins

Hello, fellow female readers -- The book for the May Meetup is 'Best Offer Wins,' by Marisa Kashino, a Good Morning America Book Club Pick and An ELLE Best Mystery/Thriller. For those of you who are new, I will send out the address to my house by Monday, May 18. Looking forward to gathering together and discussing the book. Bonnie

June Book Club: Go As a River by Shelley Read

ABOUT THE BOOK Seventeen-year-old Victoria Nash runs the household on her family’s peach farm in the small ranch town of Iola, Colorado—the sole surviving female in a family of troubled men. Wilson Moon is a young drifter with a mysterious past, displaced from his tribal land and determined to live as he chooses. Victoria encounters Wil by chance on a street corner, a meeting that profoundly alters both of their young lives, igniting as much passion as danger. When tragedy strikes, Victoria leaves the only life she has ever known, fleeing into the surrounding mountains, where she struggles to survive in the wilderness with no clear notion of what her future will bring. As the seasons change, she also charts the changes in herself, finding in the beautiful but harsh landscape the meaning and strength to move forward and rebuild all that she has lost, even as the Gunnison River threatens to submerge her homeland—its ranches, farms, and the beloved peach orchard that has been in her family for generations. Inspired by true events surrounding the destruction of the town of Iola in the 1960s, Go as a River is a story of deeply held love in the face of hardship and loss, but also of finding courage, resilience, friendship, and, finally, home—where least expected. This stunning debut explores what it means to lead your life as if it were a river—gathering and flowing, finding a way forward even when a river is dammed.

Book, Coffee, Chit Chat, etc. (Wednesday Edition)

ATTENTION: We are now meeting in person again! Please follow current recommendations around mask usage to keep everyone safe. Masks are always welcome and accepted, no matter the current regulations. If you'd like to meet online check out our meeting on the first Wednesday of every month. It's that time again! Let's chit chat about the books we exchanged last time and welcome newcomers bringing their first book. If you've been before you know the deal, otherwise just bring a book to share and expect to say both a few words about it and why you want to share it.

May Book Club: Solaris by Stanisław Lem

(4th Saturday Richmond District Edition). Books, Coffee, Chit Chat

Bring what you’re reading and we’ll have an interesting group conversation (novels, non-fiction, essays, poetry, romance, cookbooks, science fiction & fantasy, etc.) This “4th Saturday Richmond District Edition” is designed to accommodate the overflow from Emily’s 2nd Saturday Richmond District Book Chat. If you are not able to attend Emily’s Group, then please feel free to join this 4th Saturday version. We meet in the back patio of Bazaar Café (lovely place). If it rains, we’ll meet inside the Café.

Bonus Discussion: Sunrise on the Reaping

Let's finish off the series and read the next prequel -- Sunrise on the Reaping! These meetings will happen in addition to our regular book club discussions, so don't worry if you are not into the series. We will still meet regularly for our monthly discussions. ***Book Summary***: When you've been set up to lose everything you love, what is there left to fight for? As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes. Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves. When Haymitch's name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He's torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who's nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he's been set up to fail. But there's something in him that wants to fight... and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.

Read in the Park – Sunnyvale 📚

**📌 UPDATE:** After 10 attendees, Meetup event will be at capacity (since this is a Free group) If you’d like to join, please register through the Luma event to confirm your spot: https://luma.com/4u1y1dok **Read in the Park – Sunnyvale (Washington Park)** ​After starting these in San Francisco, we’re bringing a first South Bay edition to Sunnyvale. ​A simple, relaxed space to read together and connect with other people who enjoy books. **What should I expect?** ​4:00–5:00 → quiet reading 5:00–6:00 → sharing what we’re reading + book recommendations ​No assigned books. Just bring whatever you’re currently enjoying. **​Who’s this for?** Anyone who enjoys reading and wants a calm, low-pressure way to spend an afternoon. ​A lot of people come solo, so if you’re coming on your own, you won’t be the only one. **Where exactly do we meet?** ​Washington Park, Sunnyvale ​We’ll be on the grass area. ​We’ll share a message here when we arrive with the exact spot. If you’re unsure, just look for a small group with books and blankets 📚 **What should I bring?** * ​A book * ​Something to sit on (blanket optional, grass is fine) * ​A light layer (it can cool down a bit later in the afternoon) * ​Snacks or drinks if you’d like **​What about parking?** ​There’s street parking and nearby lots around the park, usually fairly easy, but worth arriving a little early. **Will this be photographed?** ​We may take a few photos to share after, feel free to let us know if you’d prefer not to be included. **Anything else?** ​This is a casual, informal gathering, just come as you are. **Small note** ​This Sunnyvale meetup came from the idea to bring these gatherings to the South Bay, and it’s being co-hosted locally, we’re looking forward to seeing how it grows here.

Dungeon Crawler Carl @ Southern Pacific Brewing

Come enjoy a drink at Southern Pacific Brewing and discuss our May read! Our book for May is Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. Hope to see you there!

FICTION: The Road to Tender Hearts, by Annie Hartnett

**For our May pick, I've chosen The Road to Tender Hearts, by Annie Hartnett.** I'm a sucker for a good cross-country road trip story. This one is described as "**A darkly comic and warm-hearted novel about an old man on a cross-country mission to reunite with his high school crush—bringing together his adult daughter, two orphaned kids, and a cat who can predict death".** https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218460347-the-road-to-tender-hearts "In an author's note at the end of the book, Hartnett explains that THE ROAD TO TENDER HEARTS was born out of a challenge she set herself --- to write a funny novel about some of the worst tragedies that can befall people. It’s safe to say that she succeeds. The book is wise, witty and emotional without ever veering into sappiness. PJ's journey is a literal one, but it's also metaphorical." - [Norah Piehl, bookreporter](https://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-road-to-tender-hearts) Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Thanks!

Let’s read “Isola" by Allegra Goodman