You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

One of the group reads for January is The Year that Changed Everything by Cathy Kelly Please discuss the book in this thread.

Odette will be leading the discussion.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. have read the book before or during January 2024.
2. discussed it in this thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favorite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc. You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread. Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.
3. Report that you have read AND discussed the book in the reporting thread (include a brief summary of what you thought of the book).

A note on discussion: Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favorite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc.

In addition to this, the group reads are meant to be a "read along" so it is preferable that you discuss the book as you read rather than wait until you've finished the book.

And finally, discussion is not about just listing your thoughts. Please interact with the other group members, comment on their thoughts, and if they comment on yours, respond to them. This is what makes a good book discussion!

You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread.

Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.

General Rules:
1. Please mark your spoilers with the spoiler tags along with mentioning what stage of the book you are at so other's don't get a nasty shock. Chapter numbers/titles are generally best as they are the same across all formats and editions. See our spoiler policy
2. The book may be combined with the Year Long Challenge, Topplers, and Monthly Challenges.

Happy reading!

I'm planning to start this book by the end of the week.

Not sure when I will start but I'm going to join the read.

I have been looking forward to reading The Year that Changed Everything and was able to start last night.

The book is divided into 5 Parts. I finished reading Part 1 and now into Part 2. Each part is divided into alternating chapters told from the perspective of one of the 3 women, Callie, Sam and Ginger. It is a great introduction to the characters, who have each reached a big 0 birthday.

PART 1: I have mixed feelings about each of the characters and their circumstances and need to read further to find out more. (view spoiler)[Callie just turned 50 comes across as a trophy wife, allowing her husband, to control her life. Sam is expectng her first baby at age 40. Ginger, is overweight and lonely at 30. I really feel sorry for her when her best friend, Liza lets her down.
It will be interesting to see how they manage. (hide spoiler)]

PART 2: (view spoiler)[takes place a month earlier. It is the backstory and lead up to the events in Part 1.
Callie senses there is something going on and perhaps her husband is having an affair.
Sam, though seeking support from her sister, feels overwhelmed about the baby. Also seeking a job in the charity sector which does not pay as well as the bank.
Ginger has a secret job writing as an agony aunt and mixed feelings about the wedding arrangements for friend Liza. (hide spoiler)]

Odette wrote: "I have been looking forward to reading The Year that Changed Everything and was able to start last night.

The book is divided into 5 Parts. I finished reading Part 1 and now into ..."

I have also finished part 1 and started part 2. (view spoiler)[ As you say, Callie is a trophy wife and she and her husband are completely obsessed with appearances. And Callie wonders why her daughter is acting up and doesn't respect her - hmmm! Although as someone whose adult daughter still lives at home and also as a 50 something menopausal women, this is probably the character I identify with most. Cathy Kelly always writes about 3 women in different circumstances so there is usually at least one to identify with.

(hide spoiler)]

Odette wrote: "PART 2: takes place a month earlier. It is the backstory and lead up to the events in Part 1.
Callie senses there is something going on and perhaps her husband is having an affair.
Sam, though se..."

I'm very happy as I've just realised I can use this for the annual challenge. This is tagged "Irish literature" and so was my first link book. I take issue with this being classed as "literature", I'd call it womens fiction, I'm enjoying this story whereas my last book was dry and meh. Maybe I'm not the target audience for literature lol

End of part 2 (view spoiler)[ Again I was disappointed by Callie, she allows her hubby to walk all over her! She should have insisted her mother being welcome in her home, or at the very least, she should have visited her own family home.

My heart aches for Ginger. She just wanted so much to be a good friend and make the brides day special. She deserves a better friend.

I hope the next section is set after the birthday. I was to see what happered next.
(hide spoiler)]

Margo wrote:
This is the first Cathy Kelly book I have read, and was not aware of three women in her books. I don't particularly identify with the women as I am a little bit older. Though, have had a bit of a battle with weight/self image, so perhaps have most in common with Ginger. Also, see something of Sam in the partner of one of my sons, who just had a baby in her late thirties.

Margo wrote:
Agree, not sure either whether I would consider it to be Literature. Cathy Kelly's style of writing reminds me of the Australian author Liane Moriarty, who write Big Little Lies. Perhaps slightly different approach with more mystery involved.
(view spoiler)[It is difficult to understand how Callie accepts her situation without question. Perhaps she sees it as some sort of improvement on her previous life. I am wondering whether Callie and the other two have a poor sense of self worth, and are their own worst enemies. (hide spoiler)]
I have started Part 3 and will read further to find out more.

I'm also in pt 3. The chapters (of the audio version) are getting longer. Agree that writing style is similar to Liane Moriarty but Moriarty doesn't write to a formula, Kelly gets a bit boring if you read too many of her books. She also reminds me of another Irish author, Maeve Binchy, but is not as good.

Re Ginger: (view spoiler)[ I've had weigh problems my whole life so I know too well how that impacts on self esteem.
(hide spoiler)]

I am well into Part 3, which seems to be very long - nearly 200 pages in the kindle version.
The stories of the 3 characters are developing.
(view spoiler)[Callie has returned home with Poppy to her mother, where she was well received.
Sam. Her situation has been worsening, and problem has been diagnosed. I thought she may just have been an overly protective older mother.
Ginger is facing changed circumstances a performance review, which is taking her out of her comfort zone. Work was where she felt comfortable and somewhat in control.
(hide spoiler)]
Thoughts. (view spoiler)[ All the women have had problematical relationships with their mothers. Callie chose Jason over her mother and did not see her for 10 years. Sam's mother was not a good role model. Though, her sister Joanne did not suffer any consequences. As Ginger's mother died early, she never had her guidance.
Slipping into writing to a formula could easy happen. I used to enjoy Maeve Binchy books, but it has been years since I read one (hide spoiler)]

Finally to the end of part 3. I honestly thought I had missed the narrator saying "part 4"!

(view spoiler)[
Callie: I can't understand why she won't go to the doctor to get her Xanex the normal way. In her circumstances any doctor would prescribe it. She is obviously under a ton of stress and feeding depression. Both of the other women have interacted with Callie to some degree which was interesting and nicely done.

Sam: I'm so glad we finally got Sams mums pov. Not all women are cut out to be full time mothers, I certainly wasn't. I know she didn't show a lot of affection or even interest in sams pregnancy which is unusual, especially after Sams years of infertility, which is narder to to forgive. So happy Sam finally got the help she needed for postnatal depression. It stood out like a sore thumb that that was the problem but I guess it's easier to see from the outside.

Ginger: was she right to be so hard on sexy, gym trainer? Part of me thinks she overreacted. The awards ceremony was more a work thing but then again, it would have been a bit explain to her work colleagues why her new boyfriend was there with her boss. Why of why didn't he just say "actually I'm dating Ginger so it wouldn't be appropriate"? I don't know if they can come back from this but at least she has a bit of self confidence now - or she should.

Good point about the women not having a mother role model in their lives.

(hide spoiler)]

Part 4
(view spoiler)[ Quiet predictable. Three months later and all are moving with their lives. Ginger did take Will back, that's the only bit I had doubts about.
(hide spoiler)]

End of book
(view spoiler)[ This was a 2.5 star book for me. The author hasn't changed her style nor her formula since her early books which I read many years ago. Even the characters seem to be the same. By the end, everyone has got exactly what they deserve, unlike real life. A fluffy, escapist read which has it's place, but it will be a long time till I pick up more from Cathy Kelly.
(hide spoiler)]

I have finished the book now

PART 4: Three months later
(view spoiler)[It is amazing how things have progressed in just 3 months. Callie get over her addiction, helping to care for people with dementia and enjoying a good relationship with her daughter and family. Sam's depression has improved as well as her relationship with her mother. Ginger, still do not know if she will get back with Will. She certainly had some horrible females in her life, Liza and Carla, and seems to be standing up more for herself.
The author dispenses a lot of her wisdom through the characters. However, do find the characters hard to relate to. It is also very convenient how all three come together at the care facility.
I think that Ginger did over react about Will, and should have seen it as manipulation by Carla.
(hide spoiler)]
PART 5 and Epilogue: The next birthday
(view spoiler)[Ginger finally stands up to Liza. The three get together to celebrate their birthdays a year on at the home of Callie's great aunt (hide spoiler)]
Thoughts:
(view spoiler)[I was very disappointed with this book. The beginning seemed promising and then deteriorated for me. It was interesting reading about the issues faced by each character. However, they seemed to be their own worst enemy in the way they reacted. Also the solutions and improvements in their lives over a short period of time seemed to be quite unrealistic to me.
I agree it is an escapist read, but one that did not sit well with me.
A three star read for me and will not be rushing to read any more books by this author. (hide spoiler)]

Odette wrote: "I have finished the book now

PART 4: Three months later
..."

(view spoiler)[ Completely agree with your assessment Odette. All way to convenient and simplistic. I'm not sure if her books were better or if I've just become a more discerning reader over the years. I probably would have DNFed it if it hadn't been a group read.
(hide spoiler)]