Read MORE books & drink MORE Sangria

Last night was my first book club gathering! Those that know me best know that I don't like to leisure read, but I do LOVE to socialize. Being new to the area, this book club is a great opportunity to wine, dine and socialize - the things I love best. Last weekend, on our way to NYC, as soon as I got situated in my chair on the train, I started this month's book Half the Sky. As happy as I was to be making an effort to have 'leisure reading' become a routine, I started to get restless and needed to people-watch. Just as I began looking around the train, I noticed (as if it was a slap on my wrist for taking a break from reading) the message "READ MORE BOOKS" written on the back of the chair in front of me. Suddenly an "Oh yeah, where was I?" reaction happened and I got back to business.

Although this book was interesting and worth reading, it's not a good beach book or a book to read on an anniversary trip. The book consists of true stories from women around the world covering issues: sex trafficking and forced prostitution, gender-based violence (including honor killings), mass rape and maternal mortality. With that said, the truth is... I read only 1/2 the book. It was so down and depressing that I didn't want to read too much at any one time. Plus, a lot of the hot topics in this book were discussed, read and studied in my undergrad classes. Although the concepts weren't shocking, the statistics were.

All of the book club members gathered at Anne's house. The important thing to know about Anne is that she is a pastry chef and outdoes herself every opportunity she gets! Her house was amazing! I should have had pictures of the set table and the food she served. It was a great summer night and we all sat out on her deck to discuss the book, food, sangria and each other. The club consists of women that work at ESPN or are affiliated with the company because their husband works there. The group is a lot of fun because we all live in CT, but none of us are from CT. Erin has lived in New Hampshire & Seattle, but is originally from IL. Christa is from MN. Anne is from Ohio. I could go on and on.

The sangria was the BEST thing I have ever tasted (in the spectrum of sangria's). It wasn't too sweet or too tart. Anne made the recipe up by just throwing a little of this and a little of that in, of course, but this is the closest thing I could find online that would resemble what she served Blackberry Sangria . I'm a little nervous for when it comes time for me to host! Please send ideas/suggestions my way: pmartens11@gmail.com

Unfortunately the night was kept short, and I am writing this during the Tues I was suppose to be in NJ, because I am sick. And no, I didn't have too much Sangria! I just feel rotten. Hope this finds you better than I - and have good rest of the week!