With the weather turning colder, grab a book and a mug of cocoa and settle in for a

good read. On cold, windy days, it is the perfect go to activity as you lounge away the

day in warm sweats and fuzzy socks by a warm fire.

Try picking a book that has been turned into a movie or mini-series. Once you have

read and discussed the book, then pick a date and location to watch the movie. Here

are a few recommendations from local residents of great books that were turned into a

movie.

The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty

Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese (Augusta Pines Book Club)

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

Don’t forget a few classics! Part of the fun is discussing which book/movie to choose.

If you are like me, when you find a book you love, you search for more books by that

author and you devour all of them before moving on to another author. Cathie, a local

resident, recommended picking up Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. If you like her

style, she has nine books published and has won numerous awards including the

Pulitzer Price.

I was honored to be selected as a visiting author at the annual John Cooper School

Signature Author Series on Dec. 6 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel. To

spotlight their 20 th anniversary, the honored keynote speaker was best-selling novelist

Lisa Jewell. Participants also enjoyed a Q & A session with Lisa Jewell, book signings

and a raffle drawing. As a tradition to promote fine arts in our schools and the

community, a portion of the proceeds benefitted local charitable organizations.

In addition, I had two book signings over the holidays. One was at the Humble Civic

Center as shoppers enjoyed festive Christmas shopping over a 3-day period. Another

was at The Traditions at Buffalo Speedway where I was able to meet the residents at

their Merry Market. This was a fun event that brought some Christmas cheer to

independent residents over the holiday.

The rest of December, I enjoyed taking some time off from writing and enjoyed my

family and spoiling my 4 grandchildren. The highlight was a Christmas wedding in

Macon, Georgia at St. Joseph Catholic Church where two of my grandchildren served

as ring bearer and flower girl. The church with over 60 stained glass windows was

completed in 1903 and is one of the most beautiful catholic churches I have visited to

date.

Reach out to me by email and share your thoughts along with a picture of your group.

No book club is too small to participate.

Tonya Sharp Hyche