Have Wine, Will Read Book Club

07/12/2026

July 9, 2026 “Have Wine, Will Read” Book Club Discussion of “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller.

07/12/2026

Hello everyone!

We took a journey back in time to 17th century Salem, MA for our July Book Club discussion of “The Crucible” by Arthur Miller. Goody Marie Puett hand-stitched bonnets for everyone and they looked so cute! Special kudos to Susanne Eichenmueller and Jenna Whittington for embracing the “Puritan-chic” dress code! A variety of “appetizers for the accused”, “the verdict - desserts” and “elixirs” were served. Goody Puett led a challenging trivia competition. The team of Goody Laura Bodicky, Goody Laura Nelson and Goody Katy Richmond were the victors. During the ratings one member stated that the book has “a ton of rhetorical power”. She also commented the book especially resonated with her as it had many parallels with the popular bestseller “Yesteryear” by Caro Claire Burke that she was reading at the same time. Another member commented she appreciated why Arthur Miller wrote the book and the message he was trying to convey. The group gave “The Crucible” ratings ranging from 1 to 4.5 stars with an average rating of 2.7. I appreciate everyone who took the time to read or listen to this classic story for book club. See below for the photos from this very fun evening!

We will not meet in August. Our Next HWWR Book Club meeting will be Thursday, September 10th at 6:30pm. Rene McCrary will host our discussion of “Under the Bayou Moon” by Valerie Fraser Luesse.

It’s already time to start thinking about nominations for 2027. If you have a book you would like to nominate please send me the title, author and a line or two about why you nominated it.

Since we are not meeting in August, think about reading the St. Joseph Reads “We Read 2026” selection Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. There will be events in September for this community reading initiative. Check out stjosephreads.org or The Story Collective FB page for updates and announcements.

Lastly, local historian and HWWR book club member Sarah Elder will be the featured speaker at the “After Hours 1920s” event at the Albrecht Kemper museum on Tuesday, July 28. The event is from 4-7pm. Sarah will speak at 5pm on the topic “Prohibition and Progress: St. Joseph in the 1920s”. Admission is free and no registration is required. There will a speak easy Photo Booth and dinner is available for $8. See the website Albrecht-Kemper.org or their FB page for further details.

Enjoy the rest of the summer and see you all in September!

Take care,
Amy

2026 Have, Wine, Will Read Book Club Schedule

AUGUST - NO meeting

SEPTEMBER 10, 2026
Under the Bayou Moon by Valerie Francis Luesse
hosted by Rene McCrary

OCTOBER 8, 2026
None Left to Tell by Noelle W. Ihli
hosted by Clara Liles and Stephanie Wegenka (featuring Jessica Wegenka)

NOVEMBER 12, 2026 (meeting and Annual Books Exchange)
No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister
hosted by Ali Carolus and Katy Richmond

DECEMBER - NO Meeting

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07/07/2026

Don’t forget to RSVP for our Thursday 7/9 at 6:30pm “Have Wine, Will Read”book club meeting. You don’t want to miss this discussion of the book of the summer “The Crucible”!!

07/03/2026

Happy 4th of July Weekend!

Marie and I have some fun things planned for our Thursday, July 9th at 6:30pm "Have Wine, Will Read" Book Club discussion of "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller. Here is our invite:

Calling all Witches! Join us for a night of suspicious accusation, questionable motives, hot takes and (hopefully) no hysteria! Because nothing brings friends together like paranoia and 17th century drama!

WHEN: Thursday 7/9/26 at 6:30pm

WHERE: Goody Thomure's House (co-host Goody Puett)
(See email for address)

WHAT TO BRING: Your thoughts and your best judgment face

DRESS CODE: Puritan-chic or comfy clothes. Bonus points for side-eye.

SPOILER WARNING: People get accused, People get dramatic, You'll survive
(unless someone accuses you of witchcraft and then...good luck

Please RSVP to Amy by Tuesday, 7/7/26 via text. We hope to see many of you there!

Best,
Amy

2026 Have, Wine, Will Read Book Club Schedule
JULY 9, 2026
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
hosted by Amy Thomure and Marie Puett

AUGUST - NO meeting

SEPTEMBER 10, 2026
Under the Bayou Moon by Valerie Francis Luesse
hosted by Rene McCrary
OCTOBER 8, 2026
None Left to Tell by Noelle W. Ihli
hosted by Clara Liles and Stephanie Wegenka (featuring Jessica Wegenka)
NOVEMBER 12, 2026
No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister
hosted by Ali Carolus and Katy Richmond

DECEMBER - NO Meeting

06/12/2026

Dear Book Club Friends,
We enjoyed a gorgeous summer evening poolside at Natalie Aberger's home for the HWWR Book Club discussion of "The Tiffany Girls" by Shelley Noble. Hannah Bridges and Natalie did a marvelous job bringing in elements of the book to the decor with "dragonflies" and "stained glass" to bring the work of The Tiffany Girls to life. Rene McCrary was the lucky winner in the drawing for 2 pairs of custom-made "stained glass" earrings by Consuelo Davis. Many in the group were left wanting more character development and action. One said the action "never went anywhere" and another said they kept waiting for "something dramatic to happen". Others felt the author did a good job of incorporating events of 1890s working conditions and social norms. There was a fun discussion around casting the movie and some thought this book would make a better mini-series than a movie. The Worlds Fair was also discussed with the next one occuring in Saudi Arabia in 2030! All agreed that the book portrayed female friendship in a positive way, The lack of recognition for the creative contributions of the women was lamented. A few notable quotes from the book included Charlie saying to Grace "People hate to be moralized at. Makes them do and think just the opposite. Injustice is like a rock that has to chipped away at, bit by bit. One big whack gets attention and is soon forgotten....You have to slip into people's minds by appearing clever, not too aggressive". To me, this quote perfectly captures how The Tiffany Girls may not have broken "the glass ceiling" but they cracked it! The group rated the book 3.1 stars. See photos of the meeting below.

July reading is always a good time for light, entertaining beach reads, so of course we are reading "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller! Don't think this will be a dry AP English class discussion (no offense to our teacher friends)- Marie Puett and I have some fun things planned for the July 9th meeting. The book is actually a play and is a short read. Copies are available at The Story Collective. There is an entertaining audiobook version (2 hours in length) that is more like a radio drama starring Richard Dreyfuss, Stacy Keach, Ed Begley, Jr among others. That audiobook version is available on Amazon for $5.99 currently and for free on the app Cloud Library using your Rolling Hills Library sign on info.

As always, please let me know if you have comments or questions!

2026 Have, Wine, Will Read Book Club Schedule

JULY 9, 2026
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
hosted by Amy Thomure and Marie Puett

AUGUST - NO meeting

SEPTEMBER 10, 2026
Under the Bayou Moon by Valerie Francis Luesse
hosted by Rene McCrary

OCTOBER 8, 2026
None Left to Tell by Noelle W. Ihli
hosted by Clara Liles and Stephanie Wegenka (featuring Jessica Wegenka)

NOVEMBER 12, 2026
No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister
hosted by Ali Carolus and Katy Richmond

DECEMBER - NO Meeting

06/03/2026

Summer is here and our June HWWR book club is fast approaching! See below for the invite from our hostesses Hannah Bridges and Natalie Aberger.

Ladies,

You are cordially invited to an evening of art, ambition, champagne, and scandal as we gather to discuss The Tiffany Girls on June 11 at Natalie’s house.

Hosted by Natalie Aberger & Hannah Bridges

Time: 6:30pm

Location: Natalie’s House (4701 S. Lakewood Drive)
Come as a muse, an artist, or simply a woman ahead of her time.
Please see your email for RSVP information.
– Natalie & Hannah

2026 Have, Wine, Will Read Book Club Schedule

MAY - NO meeting

JUNE 11, 2026
The Tiffany Girls by Shelley Noble
hosted by Natalie Aberger and Hannah Bridges
JULY 9, 2026
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
hosted by Amy Thomure and Marie Puett

AUGUST - NO meeting

SEPTEMBER 10, 2026
Under the Bayou Moon by Valerie Francis Luesse
hosted by Rene McCrary
OCTOBER 8, 2026
None Left to Tell by Noelle W. Ihli
hosted by Clara Liles and Stephanie Wegenka (featuring Jessica Wegenka)
NOVEMBER 12, 2026
No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister
hosted by Ali Carolus and Katy Richmond

DECEMBER - NO Meeting