The Briar Club | 
pickI liked this book. It takes place in the 1950‘s in Washington DC. An eclectic group of women live in a boarding house. The story is told from each woman‘s point of view. As the story progresses the womens‘ background and secrets are exposed. A new resident helps to bring the women together by hosting weekly meals. She is a very good support for the other women but she is keeping a big secret that will eventually affect all of them.
pickThis is my 1st Quinn book, & I enjoyed it. Set during the Korean War & the McCarthy era, it‘s a story about a group of women living in a boardinghouse. Each main character gets her own section from her POV, with all her secrets, romances, & past exposed to the reader. Loved the friendships that formed from their weekly dinners & how each changed during a 4-5 yr period. The men were good supportive characters, too. TW: death, DV
pickAbsolutely loved this one! Fantastic characters and a truly compelling storyline. Adding all of Kate Quinn‘s other books to my TBR now! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
so-soI finally finished! The authors note described this as a pandemic Mish-mash and that is what it felt like. It came together for to a somewhat interesting conclusion; but definitely felt disjointed. Some stories I enjoyed, some j didn‘t, the house as a narrator just felt silly. But good enough for me to want to finish. Read for #literaryclub
pickI really enjoyed this book. It was interesting the way it was set up and how we learned about each of the women in the book. The inclusion of the recipes was such a fun aspect as well. I have it a 5/5
#LiteraryCrew #AuthorAMonth #April
Here‘s a link to a cookbook to go with the book
I‘m sure everyone will want to make ARLENE'S CANDLE SALAD 🕯️ 🍍 😝 - maybe I should have posted THAT photo! 😝
https://www.katequinnauthor.com/uncategorized/the-briar-club-cookbook-recipes-fr...
pickThe lives of several women are intertwined while they live in a boarding house in Washington, D.C. in the 1950s.
pick#literarycrew #April
Post WWII 1950s. Quinn‘s novel opens with a scene of a dead body in a DC women‘s boarding house.How did this happen?Who committed the deadly deed?The house became a home for a found family when Grace March moved into the top floor.She initiated Thursday night shared pot-luck dinners & overtime these eclectic women became a bonded,tight-knit group.The house was a character in itself,coming alive when the women move in.
Just seen this on FB.
pickI'm behind on posting. Finished this for #AuthorAMonth over a week ago. It was quite good. The author pulls together a broad mix of themes centered around DC in the 1950s.
@Soubhiville
Box 1/2 of my Times Colonist Book Sale haul 📚❤️🐉See any favourites? Where should I start?
pick#Read2025
I‘m catching up on my April reviews this weekend & I loved this book! A good thing as it was a trifecta of challenge prompts: #AuthorAMonth #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead & one of the books from @JacqMac ‘s #AuldLangSpine list. This is my third Kate Quinn book & maybe my favorite. The audiobook was stellar & I finished & listened to the author notes twice + an interview with the author & narrator who really brought the characters to life. ⬇️
pickI‘m a day late for #literarycrew it started with a murder and a cast of characters I mainly abhorrd. 100 pages in and I wondered if I‘d keep going. Almost immediately I started liking it more and cared who died and what was going to happen to them all. The politics of the day aren‘t too far off today‘s
pickIt's been years since I've read Kate Quinn, so I'm very glad #authoramonth had her listed for April. This book had me hooked from the first chapter. I couldn't stop reading. Pixel and I went on extra long dog walks all to give me more time with this audiobook. The ending did not disappoint. Highly recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction.
I‘m dilly dallying with my #literaryclub #buddyread I will join when I can hopefully sooner than later ( I‘m on page 100)
It‘s time for the #LiteraryCrew monthly book discussion! I have 7 questions posted. You can find them on my feed, the book‘s feed, or by searching the group‘s hashtag. Stop by and answer whenever!
May‘s book is Morgan Is My Name by Sophie Keetch!
mcctrish, DebinHawaii, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, BethM, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, Lkempf7. Discuss the murder mystery. Were you expecting it to play a larger role in the story? Were you surprised by who the victim and who the perpetrator were? ~from Plainfield Area Public Library #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
6. Food plays a significant part in the story. Discuss the symbolic meaning of the Briar Club‘s communal meals and how they foster a sense of belonging. ~from Plainfield Area Public Library #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
5. Examine the themes of secrecy, deception, and truth-telling in the novel. How do the characters‘ hidden pasts and double lives affect their relationships? ~from Plainfield Area Public Library Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
4. Discuss the role Grace March plays in bringing the women together. What does her character represent in terms of female empowerment and community building? ~from Plainfield Area Public Libry Reading Guide
3. Briarwood house itself narrates some of the chapters. How does the house‘s perspective shape the reader‘s understanding of the events and characters? Did you enjoy hearing from an inanimate object? ~from Plainfield Area Public Library Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
2. The point of view rotates among the women of the boarding home. Frequently
when we get to a new point of view we find that the truth differs from the
perceptions that others have. Why do you think Quinn chose to tell the story in
this way and what is she trying to say with it? ~from Plainfield Area Public Library Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
1. The novel is set against the backdrop of the Red Scare and McCarthyism. How do
these historical events impact the lives and choices of the characters? ~from Plainfield Area Public Library Reading Guide #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
Information about the Red Scare and McCarthyism linked in comments.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) is discussion day for this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead ! Zeke had his visit with the specialist today with a medical procedure to determine things tomorrow, so I will post at some point during the day—the specialist is over an hour away from me, and he has to be there early morning with a pickup time in the evening.
I will tag everyone to let you know the questions have been posted!
mcctrish, DebinHawaii, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, BethM, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, Lkempf
1. I keep a spreadsheet with all of our books and recently realized that we have over 2,000 books in our collection! That doesn‘t include audiobooks. We do have a dedicated library but it can‘t hold everything. 😳
2. The tagged novel was so good! I really enjoyed the audiobook and I‘m definitely going to read more by this author. 😉
#Two4Tuesday
(April 29, 2025)
Stupid stickers ( still in pyjamas at 4 pm but my bathrooms are clean )
pick4.5/5⭐️
Loved the characters and their stories (including the house). I‘m really looking forward to the discussion later this month with the #LiteraryCrew.
@Librarybelle
pickA found family set in a 1950‘s DC boarding house. I enjoyed getting to know each of the characters (including the house) although I think I would have liked it more if it were based on just one character. That‘s just a personal preference though and this was a good read overall. #AuthorAMonth @Soubhiville
📗 I loved The Briar Club (tagged) so much! It features my favorite trope of found family and a wide array of strong, female characters. So good!
📕 I couldn‘t get through Anxious People. I just couldn‘t get into it🤷🏻♀️
#WondrousWednesday @Eggs
Joining my voice to the choir singing this historical fiction book‘s praises. Sixty percent in and loving all the quirky, found family vibes of this boarding house of women circa 1950‘s DC. It‘s making me need to go watch A League of Their Own (maybe Fried Green Tomatoes) too⚾️😭💗
#LiteraryCrew
“Because when you called bullies to account they weren‘t likely to back down. They were more likely to put their hands around your neck and choke you.”
pickI really enjoy Kate Quinn books and this is no exception. Set in a Washington DC boarding house during the McCarthy era 7 women, each with their own secrets, bond over weekly dinners. The audio was great but now will borrow from the library to look at the recipes from each character‘s chapter. Pic is from IG of Candlestick salad. 4.5 🌟
Look forward to discussing with #LiteraryCrew
@Librarybelle
#WeeklyForecast
I normally do not have this many books going at once and it all looks like a bit much grouped together like this.
April buddy reads: About 1 1/2 hrs left on Briar, close to finding out who‘s dead and why hopefully. Next will finish Heartstone on audio.
Loving Wild Dark Shore. Still making slow progress on King.
NG: Finding it hard to get into the Donoghue and the Book & Beach Club is ok.
Repost for @Librarybelle
April‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead features the latest the Kate Quinn. Read at your own pace, and discussion will take place on April 30th!
See original post at https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2852647
April‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead features the latest the Kate Quinn. Read at your own pace, and discussion will take place on April 30th!
mcctrish, DebinHawaii, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, BethM, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, Lkempf
Repost for @Librarybelle
Apologies for not posting this earlier.
April‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead is the amazing Kate Quinn! Read at your own pace; discussion on April 30th.
All are welcome to join. Let @Librarybelle know if you wish to be added or removed from the tag list.
I apologize—I should have posted this sooner! Zeke is going through another rough patch & has an ultrasound scheduled for Wednesday. I picked up more meds for him from the vet today. I‘m not as consistent keeping up with everything else. 😂
April‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead is by the amazing Kate Quinn! Read at your own pace; discussion on April 30th. All are welcome to join. Let me know if you wish to be added to or removed from the tag list!
mcctrish, mjdowens, melissajayne, Jerdencon, tpixie, LapReader, Cuilin, kspenmoll, PurpleyPumpkin, Prairiegirl_reading, Deblovestoread, Sace, CatLass007, Mollyanna, BookwormAHN, Pogue, dabbe, Sargar114, Karisa, bumpinthenight, Singout, julieclair, AllDebooks, Lkempf
pickThis was wonderful. The way Kate Quinn told each woman's story drew me in and then to have a murder mystery intertwined made this book a fantastic read. 🤓 #greatread
“Opportunities were things that fell in your lap, but second chances had to be fought for.”
-Kate Quinn
#CoverStories #Keyhole
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks
pickThis is my first Kate Quinn novel and I enjoyed every minute of it. I liked how each chapter was used to develop a character and gradually revealed how their lives intertwined. I also liked how every time I thought I had a connection figured out it changed. Seeing the characters become a chosen family of sorts and how challenges brought them together was refreshing. Definitely recommend.
pick“Isn‘t that just DARLING, darling?”
This is a darling book set in post WWII Washington and laced with girly friendships that could knock the socks right off of you with ferocity. Touch of murder, some spies and a Pilsbury Bake-Off.
December. #12Booksof2024
@Andrew65
I loved doing this bracket! It‘s so fun to reflect, but it‘s so hard to pick a favorite. My top SIX reads this year were:
🏡Family Family
🐕The Eyes and the Impossible
🤫First Lie Wins
☕️The Briar Club
🛩️Here One Moment
🦜How to Read a Book
#readingbracket2024
@CSeydel
I opened this earlier today & took a pic fast, so I could eat a cookie. So good & so are the chocolates. Can‘t wait to read this book. Thanks Katey! @bumpinthenight #jolabokaflodswap
@MaleficentBookDragon This is my favorite swap of the year—thanks for hosting it!
