January 2026 Book Discussion - The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society by Darien Gee

[Grace.]

Happy New Year! welcome to January's Book Club Discussion thread!!
This thread will remain open even after we finish reading the current book, so everyone who wants to add any opinions can do so at her leisure.
1. To avoid spoilers, remember to click on the three dots

2. choose "inline spoiler," and start typing your text. To me it shows up like a mask icon, but as well can show like an eye with a line through it.

As all of you know, in this thread we can discuss anything about the current book. Please feel free to share your thoughts while you are reading or whenever you want, or as you progress in your reading, it's up to you, this thread is yours, so express all what you think about the book and reading. You can write parts of the text you're reading, and that you think are important to understand the plot, comment on what you think of all what you have reading so far, whether the author is easy or difficult to understand and follow?, how the plot and characters develop to your mind?, and if there's a quote you'd like to share, please do it.
If you've already finished reading the book, the questions are, what did you like most about it? And what did you like least? Would you have changed anything about the plot? If so, what would you have changed or expanded? would you read this book again? yes or no, and why? would you like to see a film or television adaptation based on this book?
Once again welcome, I hope several of you will choose to join us!

 

[photocrazy]

I just started this last night, so I'm only a few chapters in so far. I loved this quote "Scrappitzers are the key to any successful scrapbooking event.... It's a little-known fact, but crafters always work better on a full stomach." It made me laugh so hard because it's true!

About the plot thus far, I don't understand why Ava can't leave Isabel alone. I get she's trying to support her preschooler Max, but bugging your husband's ex just doesn't seem smart to me.

 

[Grace.]

I am up to chapter 2, and I'm already caught, I want to know where is leading all the story. I think Isabel blames Ava for her loneliness, but it wasn't Ava who abandoned her, it was Bill. I also think Isabel feels very lonely without a husband and children, but being 38 y.o. isn't too late to start over, find a new partner, and forget about her ex. Compared to the previous books, I feel like there are a lot of characters, so I'm keeping a sort of note-taking. I hope to read a few more chapters over the weekend, how are you all doing?

 

[lizziej]

I was hoping to have two books going at the same time, but the one I started first takes a good amount of concentration. I should finish mid-month. I had started our book, and I believe it is a faster read for me.

 

[Grace.]

I was hoping to have two books going at the same time, but the one I started first takes a good amount of concentration. I should finish mid-month. I had started our book, and I believe it is a faster read for me.

Liz no worries, read at your speed, and share your thoughts and comments at anytime, I'll love to read them

 

[GingerScraps]

I'm on chapter 2 and it's really not grabbing my attention yet, but I will stick to it!
Hopefully it gets my attention soon! I find it hard when there are a lot of characters right off the bat. I just can't retain them all so I get mixed up and lose interest. Hopefully it clicks for me soon

 

[photocrazy]

I finished it! I enjoyed the plot, even if some of the characters didn't make what I felt were believable choices. The police station scene had me laughing at the absurdity of it all colliding together like that

I scrapped about it because I don't know how well I'll stick with reading the book selections throughout the year, but I'm glad I could participate in this one!

January Book Club

• photocrazy
• Jan 6, 2026
• 8

 

[lizziej]

I'm on chapter 2 and it's really not grabbing my attention yet, but I will stick to it!
Hopefully it gets my attention soon! I find it hard when there are a lot of characters right off the bat. I just can't retain them all so I get mixed up and lose interest. Hopefully it clicks for me soon

I feel the same way about introducing a lot characters at the beginning. I read mainly on Kindle, so what I've started to do is highlight the introductory facts about the characters so I can go back and read them when I get lost or mixed up. Thanks for the heads up! I hope it clicks soon for you, too!

 

[Grace.]

@GingerScraps I'm doing notes, but same like you it's difficult to follow the plot with so many stories, names. I want to find the line that put together the story, but till this moment I feel that is like a collection of many life stories, and all of them living in the same small town, where all of them are like a big "family".

 

[Grace.]

Alyssa @photocrazy dear, I'm really impressed, you are a fast reader thank you so much for joined us, and please if you have a book or books you'd like to read, add them to the thread so they can be put to a vote.
The voting poll for the book we'll be reading in February starts on Friday.

 

[Grace.]

how are you all coming along with the book?
I'm halfway through the book, and I've found it the beginning a little bit tedious because of the number of names and the constant rivalry between Isabel and Ava, I think it was exaggerated, but now I've started to enjoy some unreal situations. I want to know where is leading the plot, or if it is a compilation of stories from the town's inhabitants.

 

[lizziej]

I started the book yesterday. I have read through chapter 6 (20%). I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon. He's a great doctor but he's always running late, especially at the end of the day. I hope to get a lot of reading done.

 

[Grace.]

I continue reading and I really love the way Bettie tries to involve the entire community, including men, in the activities. Of course I especially love her scrapbooking club, although curiously, and despite being mentioned in the title, it isn't the main topic. I loved how the author managed to capture how scrapbooking can enrich people's lives in various ways, I can witness it. Although I didn't identify with any of the characters, and at first I struggled to follow the plot, I've started to enjoy their stories. I found it unbelievable that for some reason in Avalon there's a considerable number of attractive men between 20's and 30's years old, who are also very kind and work in places where they can meet equally attractive and kind women. I also liked the men's club that meets to share recipes. I believe that one of the central themes that connects all the characters' stories is the treasured nature of memories, as something that belongs to them even though sometimes that treasure torments them or they wish to leave it behind, and the other theme is the friendship that unites all the members of the community, like members of a large family.

 

[Grace.]

I started the book yesterday. I have read through chapter 6 (20%). I have a doctor's appointment this afternoon. He's a great doctor but he's always running late, especially at the end of the day. I hope to get a lot of reading done.

I hope your appointment with the doctor goes well, dear Liz. I can't wait to read your comments.

 

[lizziej]

I hope your appointment with the doctor goes well, dear Liz. I can't wait to read your comments.

Thank you, Grace! It went well. It was a checkup.

 

[lizziej]

I have read through Chapter 13.

Spoiler!

I'm more than halfway through, and, although I'm enjoying all the stories, I'm wondering where all these stories and characters will intersect with everyone, although some already have. I find the Yvonne/Hugh story intriguing, especially since she just found out that he is the owner of Hillshire Plumbing, a company that is trying to steal little plumbing companies' business. I thought something was up when he mentioned he had to do some family business, when he was probably taking over the cancelled jobs of her customers. I kinda like the Isabel and Ava story, wondering where it will lead. I sure hope it leads somewhere, especially since I think Isabel kinda likes Max. It will be very disappointing if it doesn't.

I'm worried about Bettie. I think she's losing her mind. I think they kinda hinted about that in the book description. I don't like how forward she is, though. I'm so glad that it was Reed that changed his mind about the adoption of Mei Ling. I hope that story ends well!

I think there are way too many characters. The author should have focused on fewer characters.

BTW, I think Isabel will wind up keeping her house. I'm hoping she and Ian will get together.

We'll see how this all ties up!

 

[FormbyGirl]

I have to say I found the number of characters very confusing when I started the book. I was having trouble keeping them all straight. Once they settled down in my brain, I found the book far more enjoyable. Initially, I thought it would be much better to cut down the number of characters, but I can see how they all became important at the end. There were a few surprises as the story unfolds. The thing I loved most is how the scrapbooking club, although a secondary focus throughout the book, becomes the thread that binds everyone together and becomes the means for healing through the difficulties that people have experienced.

 

[Grace.]

@lizziej I like that Ava wants Isabel to be a part of Max's life, and I like that Max calls her "auntie" and feels affection for her, but I think Isabel has a difficult personality, and I'm afraid she's going to start criticizing Ava's parenting skills, lecturing her, etc., and taking liberties that aren't hers to take. I feel that Ava is doing everything she can to give her son a good life, even though the situation isn't easy. I hope both women manage to build a strong friendship, almost like sisterhood, for Max's sake. I also didn't like that Bettie has dementia. I'm on chapter 19, and I hope to finish the rest of the book this weekend.

 

[lizziej]

I just finished the book! I will comment later.

 

[Grace.]

@lizziej I can't wait to read your comments. I'm still in chapter 20, waiting to read some chapters tomorrow, with good luck I'm gonna finish it nice Saturday evening!

 

[Grace.]

Well, I finally finished reading it. Well, I finally finished reading it. What I liked most was that Isabel, Ava, and Max are a family, and that Yvonne and Sam love each other. I also loved that everyone looked for photographs of Bettie; in fact, I loved when Isabel tells her, "Bettie, for years you've been the keeper of our memories. Now, we want you to know that we'll become the keeper of yours." Overall, I liked that the people of Avalon were kind-hearted. I love the basic scrapbooking tips, and all the recipes included at the end of the book; in fact, I plan to give a try to some of them, I'm intrigued by the bread of lemon-rosmary-olive oil . This is a book that I will surely keep, especially for the recipes, but also because it's a book that keeps hope in the goodness of humankind, and that contrasts with what one might currently watch on tv.

 

[lizziej]

Spoiler!

As it turns out, I really enjoyed the book! The ending was heartwarming, especially the way everyone gathered photos of Bettie. It was sad that she had dementia, but she seemed to know it and took it in stride. I hope she realized that she brought people happiness with scrapping their memories. I'm so glad that Yvonne got together with Sam! I'm also glad that Isabel, Ava and Max are living together. I was surprised about Bill's safe deposit box! I think Isabel knew that she was truly loved by him, at least in the beginning. You gotta wonder, though, why he didn't take the note out after they divorced. I think that led her to try to have a relationship with Ava and especially Max. I'm so glad that Mei Ling was adopted!

 

[Grace.]

Thank you so much dear Liz @lizziej for your comment, I totally agree with it. Nice weekend dear lady!

 

[pbhill]

Thank you for choosing this book. I have just finished it and enjoyed it. I agree with @lizziej and @Grace. 's comments. I liked Bettie talking about the different elements used in the physical scrapbook. It makes me want to get out my supplies and do something.

[SPOILER="I thought the card Bill put in the safe deposit box was such a great idea to do, kind of like a time capsule. Too bad their marriage didn't make it to 25 years. "][/SPOILER]


In the past, I have made the Mt Dew Apple Dumplings that are included in this book and they are very good.

 

[Grace.]

Thank you so much for your comment dear @pbhill welcome to the book club
I'm gonna try to give a try to Mt Dew Apple Dumplings thanks for sharing. I really love all the recipes. I found this book so interesting in many ways, and so inspiring as you mentioned. Wishing you a wonderful day!

 

[Grace.]

has anyone else finished reading the book and would like to share any thoughts?