Delicious Reads: Celebrating 10 Years!

All Photos were taken by JordanBree Photography.

We can't believe it has been TEN Years!

Some book clubs come and some book clubs go but Delicious Reads is here to STAY.

Thoughts from Kelly
(aka: Book Club President)

As I look back over the past ten years I think of all the books, friends, blog posts, food I've eatten, parties thrown, author visits and hundreds of discussions and I'm amazed.

I'm amazed at the tight knit community I created when I was only trying to bring a few friends and neighbors together on Tuesday nights.

I'm amazed when I hear, "I NEVER use to read until I started coming to book club, thank you for inviting me, I look forward to our meetings every month!"

I'm amazed at the talent within my book club of those who can cook, teach, lead, write, photograph, decorate, coordinate activities and share their hearts with a group.

I'm amazed at the willingness of women who have a common goal to see how much they will sacrifice and donate of their time, money and efforts to make something they enjoy flourish.

I'm amazed at how often my soul is enlightened and my heart filled after coming home from a meeting where I expected to discuss a book but ended up discussing so much more.

Starting this book club has changed my life.

I am who I am today because of Delicious Reads.

I love this quote by Jim Rohn that says,

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

WHO you spend time with influences the person you become. Who you are with can elevate you as much as it can bring you down. It doesn't matter how smart you are. It doesn't matter how talented you are, which skills you have, where you are born, or which family you came from. All that counts in life is the people you surround yourself with and how you treat people.

Looking at the beautiful faces of the women in my book club I know I am so blessed to be surrounded with not just five amazing people, but twenty five. Twenty five talented, successful, beautiful, kind, thoughtful and devoted examples of the kind of woman I hope to become.

Toast, to another 10 years and more!

Thoughts from the other Kellie
(aka: Book Club Vice President)

I met Kelly eight years ago when she saw I was reading Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer. (I know I am guilty of reading the Twilight Series and I am glad I did. Reading that series got me back into reading.) Kelly preceded to tell me that she had a book club and they were currently reading that book and I should come discuss it with the club. I was very eager to come talk about Bella and Edward so I was for sure going. Unfortunately, I never made it to the book club and couldn't talk about Twilight which I was very sad about. I accidentally went on the the wrong day. They had met the day before. But I was determined to start going to book club and started going the next month and haven't stopped. I have read many books that I didn't think I would like and ended up loving. I have read some books that I may have never read if not for book club. Book club quickly became very important to me. Some of my best friends came from these once a month meetings were we talked about books and our lives and got to know each other. I can't even imagine not going to book club and hope we all grow old together.

Some thoughts from a few of our book club members...

"Being part of a book club is amazing! I thought it was just for old ladies but it's so not!! I've met new friends and found new books that I never would've read had I not been in book club. My favorite part is the new friends I have met. Plus I have loved being pushed out of my comfort zone as far as book go!" -- Kaylynn

"I'd recommend joining a book club because it makes your experience with a book so much richer. It gives you a chance to share your reading experience with like-minded people and learn new insights from them." -- Kim

"Book Club makes you love reading even more and you might read books you never would have before. Plus, it's always something fun I look forward to every month. Besides the fabulous books and incredible food that I love so much about book club, my favorite thing is the new friends I have made. My favorite part about book club is the amazing girls in it." -- Shalease

"I'd recommend joining a book club to expand the type of books you read, get out of your comfort zone (both in books and socially), and to open your mind to different viewpoints and ideas. My favorite thing about being in a book club is making friends with other book lovers, having a bookish event to look forward to every month, and the chance to learn about other people's ideas and points of view." -- Rachel

"When I read, I have an entire story being played out in my mind. It is real. It is alive. It is amazing. The only problem? Nobody around me is in this story with me! My kids don't know who Adam Trask is. My husband hasn't come to love Auggie like I have (yet). My cat somehow hates Hermoine Granger. But book club? It is a room full of fabulous women who have been living in the same story I have been playing in my mind! Hallefreakinlujah! Book club keeps it real. Keeps it alive. Keeps it amazing." -- Ashley

"I love being in a book club, it makes the book worlds and characters more real by being able to gush about them to others who understand. It really is a bonding by and through books, and I just love it!" -- Kylee

"Joining a book club is a great way to keep a social connection where you get to discuss topics that don't come up in your every day conversation. Also, just a great excuse to set aside time for yourself and stay connected to people in your neighborhood or community. If it is a party like our book club, it is even better!" -- Elizabeth

"I've always loved reading, but responsibilities and other things seem to always take over. Being in a book club helps me find time to do something I love. I also like that our book club helps me branch out into other genres that I wouldn't have considered reading before. I love having a group of friends that get it when I gush or complain about our book. It makes it OK to be a book nerd! Then, of course, there's book club night. I love to dress up and eat foods related to the book. It's a fun way to make the book come to life." -- Robin

"I recommend joining a book club because listening to others talk about a book opens your mind to concepts or points that you wouldn't have otherwise thought of. Hearing people's personal experiences or lessons taken from a book help you appreciate it in a way you hadn't before. My favorite thing about being in a book club (other than a night with no kids, eating food and talking with friends) would have to be that it has to introduced to books in genres that I would otherwise never looked twice at." -- Erika

So there you have it.
A book club can be SO much more than just reading and discussing books.
It can become a community of friends, a support system, something to look forward to each month and open up your perspective.

So what are you waiting for?
Go start your own book club and see the difference it can make in your life!

If you have been thinking a starting a book club or joining one well then I hope you have been inspired by these wonderful ladies and their thoughts and feelings on book clubs. Just do it! Think of all the friendships you might be missing out on because you haven't met your book club buddy. Start today and change your life for the better. I know we are glad book club brought us together and we've found a friendship that will last.

xoxo,

Kelly & Kellie