Nancy, I think the clique that planned this luncheon (and I do think it was not just the idea of the hostess) couldn't care less. As long as they were invited, that's all that counts. They are all getting old, and I believe they have changed for the worse, become more self-centered. I think they feel we are all short-timers on this earth so who cares? When they meet on their own outside of bookclub, that's fine, I'm aware they choose to be with some and not with others, but when it's a bookclub related activity, as is our birthdays, they should have had more brains. All I can say is I'm grateful that although I'm older than some of them, I still have a sense of caring for others.

Yes, there are many bookclubs, I know of one at the Calabasas library which is a beautiful place to go. If I looked, I'm sure I'd find more. But then, LOL, I'd have to read the book! In the bookclub I'm in now, I never read the chosen book, but something else entirely that I prefer, and that's OK. I can make a report on it. That is, if they can be quiet long enough to talk about books! As I said before, my main reason for hanging in is networking.