SheReaders Book Club

Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Historical Fiction (2023)

From the award-winning author of Yellow Wife, a daring and redemptive novel set in 1950s Philadelphia and Washington, DC, that explores what it means to be a woman and a mother, and how much one is willing to sacrifice to achieve her greatest goal.

1950s Philadelphia: fifteen-year-old Ruby Pearsall is on track to becoming the first in her family to attend college, in spite of having a mother more interested in keeping a man than raising a daughter. But a taboo love affair threatens to pull her back down into the poverty and desperation that has been passed on to her like a birthright.

Eleanor Quarles arrives in Washington, DC, with ambition and secrets. When she meets the handsome William Pride at Howard University, they fall madly in love. But William hails from one of DC’s elite wealthy Black families, and his par­ents don’t let just anyone into their fold. Eleanor hopes that a baby will make her finally feel at home in William’s family and grant her the life she’s been searching for. But having a baby—and fitting in—is easier said than done.

With their stories colliding in the most unexpected of ways, Ruby and Eleanor will both make decisions that shape the trajectory of their lives.

Check out this Substack article and learn why I chose this classic for us to read together.

Published in 1818, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus is a Gothic novel about Victor Frankenstein, a Swiss scientist who creates a sentient, grotesque creature.

Driven by ambition, Victor abandons his creation, which, neglected and lonely, vows revenge against humanity and its creator, leading to a series of murders and the destruction of Victor’s life.

Let's meet for a book swap and lunch at Panera Bread in Alton Town Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida!

Please bring as many books as you would like to give away and a medium to large tote bag to bring some new book babies home with you.

Feel free to buy a drink when you get there. We'll start the book swap promptly upon arrival at 12:15 and then once complete, we can order lunch to enjoy together.

I can't wait to see many of you there!