There are good gifts and there are bad gifts.  Well maybe not bad gifts exactly.  I mean the idea that someone is gifting you is pretty good no matter what, but some gifts undoubtedly fall short of the mark. You know the ones I mean.  The ones where you open the package and go "Mmmm -  Ohhhh - uh - thanks.  I uh really love it."

Kelly Simmons is a former journalist and the author of STANDING STILL<

In today's post, regular contributor Denise Neary shares a book club "bad fit".  We've all experienced these I think.  For me it was a woman who came to my independently owned bookstore/cafe bookclub carrying a Starbucks and a library book.  Weird, right?  Denise's "character" is also a bit weird.  Gotta love 'em AND leave 'em!

Katherine Howe is an expert on all things New England and the bestselling author of THE PHYSICK BOOK OF DELIVERANCE DANE

In today's guest post, author Lorelle Marinello talks about how she uses her books to explore the "what ifs" of life.  I think this is something we do often in book club discussions, and it sounds like SALTING ROSES, Lorelle's novel will be prime "what if" discussion material!