The Accidental Book Club

Jean Vison never expected to run a book club. After her husband's death, what began as an off-the-cuff idea grew into a group of six women who meet the second Tuesday of every month for a potluck supper, for wine and laughter, and for books.

The members are a study in contrasts. Loretta copes with the lack of intimacy in her marriage by diving into erotic novels. May entertains the group with outrageous dating stories, while Mitzi finds something political to rant about in every book they read. Even Janet, mousy and perpetually blushing, has helped Jean rediscover some joy in life.

Then Jean's family starts unraveling again. Her daughter is forced into rehab, and her troubled teenage granddaughter, Bailey, comes to live with her in the interim. With her house suddenly full and her certainties gone, Jean turns to the book club for the comfort and support she has spent years quietly giving to everyone else.