And the next book is....

WHITE OLEANDER, by Janet Fitch!

This is a fantastic book (in my humble opinion) and I think we will all enjoy reading and discussing it.

Here is a brief summary:

White Oleander tells the unforgettable story of Astrid, a girl whose odyssey through a series of Los Angeles foster homes - each its own universe with its own laws, its own dangers, its own hard lessons to be learned - becomes a redeeming journey of self-discovery. White Oleander follows a young woman's journey through hardship and loss to maturity, joy and true independence.

After her uncompromising but seductive mother Ingrid kills her boyfriend for abandoning her, fifteen-year-old Astrid witnesses her mother's arrest. It's an event that will change the course of both their lives. Suddenly, young Astrid is on her own.

Shuttled through a series of foster homes, Astrid struggles to master the techniques she needs if she's to survive the unyielding and often harsh world she is thrust into. Astrid tries desperately to forge her own identity within her ever-changing environment. From behind bars, Ingrid's powerful influence is the only constant in Astrid's life. For good, and for bad...

In the three years that mark her passage from child to adult, Astrid must learn the value of independence and courage, rage and forgiveness, love and survival, to earn her freedom from the past.

Also, I believe we are expecting a new member to the group, which I know Kyle and I are very excited about. I'm looking forward to meeting her!

The next meeting will be held on Sunday, July 11th at approximately 6pm. I will look for some discussion questions online a little later and post them if I find any.

Until then, happy reading!