How did I come to be standing in a back garden in Downpatrick, drinking Pymm's with eight women I don't know?
A series of fortunate events led to an invitation from a woman at my church -- apparently she is the hub of this longstanding book club. These women don't all go to our church or work together or live near one another. They've come into the group in various ways, mostly through my acquaintance.
The group is not what I expected; then again, I'm not sure what I expected. I haven't been in a book group in more than five years and that one was so beloved I'm not sure any other can measure up. My former group was quite stringent about newcomers (generally, we didn't allow them) so I'm amazed at the warm welcome from these women.
A lovely hostess has set out a sumptuous Thai buffet and we ring the living room, some in chairs, some on the floor, to eat our meal and begin the discussion about the book (which I have not read). Apparently different members have read different amounts of the book, which is very much allowed. The discussion lasts about four minutes; nobody was a big fan because nobody likes short stories (except for me -- they're my favorite form).