The Virtuous Woman Book Club’s first meeting was held on October 22, 2005 at my home. We started with about 6 women who attended consistently. Starting a book club was a brand new experience for me as I had never attended a book club meeting. I simply implemented what God was leading me to do. As a result, we now have three organized chapters in three states and plan to add at least five additional reading groups in other cities in 2009.

The founding chapter is right here in Atlanta, while the other two chapters are in Birmingham, AL and Richmond, VA. We now have about 40 to 50 official members around the United States. Our chapters meet at private venues. Our group loves hosting special events. In the past, we have hosted a “Poetry Chat” and a “Dress Your Decade” party. We also take an annual book retreat to bond with fellow members and get some R & R (reading and relaxation).

All chapters meet monthly and we all usually read the same selections. This year we implemented a Wild Card Month which allowed individual chapters to vote on their reading selections for September. This was great fun for us! The results were as follows: The Atlanta Chapter: Divorcing the Devil by Dwan Abrams; Birmingham Chapter: Through the Storm by Vanessa Miller; Richmond Chapter: A Sin and a Shame by Victoria Christopher Murray. Because we have women who read along with us and are not official members of a chapter, we publish a quarterly newsletter called EMPOWERED to keep everyone in the loop. It also allows our members who enjoy writing to develop and showcase their gifts.

The Virtuous Woman Book Club’s Favorites from 2008

We read so many great books in 2008, however the ladies seemed to talk the most about the following:

• 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper
• My Soul Cries Out by Sherri Lewis
• Divorcing the Devil by Dwan Abrams

Our 2009 Book List

We are planning our 2009 Book List now. However, we have decided to do things a little differently this year. We are going to choose 3 books at a time. There are books being released throughout the year and we don’t want to miss out on any one hot item by deciding on the entire list now. However, I will say that books by Sherri Lewis, Dwan Abrams, and Stacy Hawkins Adams are looking like strong possibilities for 2009. Authors should email me (Tashala Quick) at t.quick@thevwbookclub.org to submit preview copies. We are always interested in positive books with an uplifting message.

We also encourage everyone interested in the Virtuous Woman Book Club to check us out online at www.thevwbookclub.org.

“The interactive book club discussion forum is something readers, reviewers, authors and book lovers in general can look forward to,” Tavares offers. During the first year of operations, the club will host quarterly book of the month selections. Interim book of the month selections will, however, be offered for the more active members. In 2009, monthly selections will commence with the expectations of The Culture Clique attracting avid readers. Membership is free, participation is required and members must be at least 18 years of age. The book club motto is: Books That Inspire. Books That Motivate. Books That Encourage. Linda D. Grosvenor, author of The Hamptons and The Plural Thing: Spiritually Preparing For Your Soul Mate is also a book club charter member, along with fellow authors Julia Royston, Denise Ervin and more.

Members can expect to access benefits such as online discussions, reading guides, relevant information to book selection themes, author chats, contests and more.

This month the club will feature newcomer, Julia Thomas, author of Never Say Never Cause Sometimes We Do The Very Thing We Said We Would NEVER Do! in the author spotlight and site visitors will have the opportunity to win a copy of Xavier Knight’s The Things We Do For Love before they can buy it! The contest ends on March 10^th. Additionally, all book lovers, members and non-members, that have had the opportunity to read the monthly book selection are invited to visit the interactive forum beginning March 28^th.

Visit http://www.thecultureclique.com today!