Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

On March 25, 2026 Laura Derrickson hosted us to discuss Allen Levi’s debut novel, “Theo of Golden”.

This was a book club favorite. An 86 year old mysterious European gentleman named Theo, arrives in Golden Georgia. He visits a local cafe and finds over 100 black and white ink portraits of various townspeople. He decides to purchase the pictures and individually try to give them to the persons featured in them.Theo can look in their eyes what’s in their heart. He has an uncanny way of relating to people and getting them to open their hearts to him. Theo helps where he can and starts doing random acts of kindness. There are a host of interesting characters . Is the book spiritual or is it religious? It depends where you are coming from what your reaction will be. You will not be disappointed by this gem of a novel and you will be affected somehow. I found it inspiring and someone else thought it made her sad.

It was touching, and was a gentle, thoughtful novel about kindness, connection and the subtle ways people can change each other’s lives.

Molly chose Liza Minnelli’s new autobiography called, “Kids, Wait Till You Hear This”.

Madeleine promised to bring some memorabilia for show and tell.

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The proving Ground by Michael Connolly

In February Marsha hosted meeting to discuss her page turner, “The Proving Ground”, written by Michael Connelly. This is one of the popular Lincoln lawyer series that has been so popular on television. Mickey Haller is in civil court against an AI company who is accused of causing the death of a teenage girl. The chatbot created by the multi billion company coders has undue influence over a teenage boy who commits the murder. This is a very real problem in today’s technology driven society. I loved the courtroom proceedings and a look into jury selection and our legal system. I was told that everyone liked the book and that Marsha provided a nice spread for dinner.

Before She was Helen by Carolyn Cooney

  

In January we met at her home to discuss her book.

This started as a light retirement community caper but turns into a twisty whodunit.

The protagonist Clemmie is leading a double life but so are others in the community.

She was a rape victim as a teenager in the 50.s and was afraid to speak out as so many women of that era were. It was entertaining but

was not a very memorable book in my opinion.

Marsha chose, “The Proving Ground”, by Michael Connelly for our next read

The Orphan Collector by Ellen Marie Wiseman

 

We met at Sarah’s home in November 2025 to discuss her book, “The Orphan Collector”.

The story is set in 1918 in Philadelphia during the Spanish Flu pandemic. Pia is a 13 year old who leaves her twin brothers in search of food and they are taken by Bernice a grief stricken neighbor who has lost her child. Pia is sent to an orphanage where she then begins a quest to find her brothers. Bernice in the meantime has made it her mission to collect immigrant orphans and transform them into true Americans.

All ends well as Pia is able to expose Bernice and is reunited happily with her brothers 

Sarah had a great supper and good wine. Carol chose a book called, “Before She Was Helen” by Carolyn B. Cooney.

The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

 

We met at Linda’s to discuss her book “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn. Linda had prepared very well as she led a great discussion. The book was set between the two great wars and went back and forth from one to the other.

It was about a female spy recruited to the Alice Network in France during World War I and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin in 1947. They are brought together in a mesmerizing tale.

Some of the characters were based on real people who worked for the underground in France. The two women were on a mission to find the truth no matter where it led them.

Linda had a lovely  salad, clam chowder and key lime pie.

Doug chose “The God of The Woods” by Liz Moore

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Madeleine hosted us for our discussion of  her book “Demon Copperhead “ by Barbara Kingsolver. This was a bestseller and PULITZER PRIZE WINNING novel. It is a poignant, coming of age story set in Appalachia where the author grew up. It is a heartbreaking narrative of the opioid crisis and its effects on that poverty stricken area of America. There were many unforgettable characters and we learned a lot about the Hillbilly lifestyle.

We all agreed that the only way out of this depression and way of life was education. One pharmaceutical company Purdue Pharma owned by the Sackler family knowingly marketed an addictive drug and targeted a vulnerable sector of society . It was very sad but the protagonist seemed like he was going to overcome his challenges in the end. Sarah later informed us that the author donated a large part of the proceeds from this book to the care and rehabilitation of these addicted people.

Madeleine had a lovely Ina Garten vegetarian soup and healthy salad and bread.

Linda chose “The Alice Network” by Kate Quinn.

 

A Woman of No Importance by Sonia Purnell

In December we met at Kathy’s house to discuss my book which was

“A Woman of No Importance” by Sonia Purnell who is a journalist and biogtapher. Purnell did a lot of research and spent 3 years writing the book as many records were destroyed.

The book is a biography of American socialite Virginia Hall who became one of the few

female spies who worked with the French resistance against the Nazi regime.

Virginia was in the diplomatic service in Turkey where she accidentally shot herself in the leg

resulting in her wearing a prosthetic leg and a visible limp.

She managed to get an assignment with the British secret service stationed in France. She had extremely

great organizational skills paired with her charm and good looks. She recruited many volunteers to the cause and was able to command rebel cells that waged war on the nazis. She was also able to send information about the positioning and activities of the Nazis which changed the course of the war. 

Later when the Americans entered the war she worked as a spy for them in the same capacity as she did for the British.  She was free spirited and longed for adventure. She had a sixth sense in knowing who to trust and sometimes she had conflicts with other male colleagues who resented a woman being their superior. She spoke six languages. Many of her covert tactics were used in ensuing wars by the U.S.

She did not work for awards or medals and shied away from fame. She ended her post war career working for the CIA and married a fellow OSS agent who was not her peer socially.

Madeleine chose Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver for our next read.