Y’all, I have no idea how it snuck up on my, but it did.  With so much going on in January and so much good reality tv to watch, before I realized it, OMGBC was just a couple days to ago.  I had had a month to read the book… but no, I procrastinated in true Charla style.  Anyway, February 9 was the day that I scheduled the (extrememly) casual and (very) informal book club.  I mean, how much more informal can it get than a hostess who literally finishes the book with just minutes to spare before the first guest arrived?

I won’t bother you with the official questions because you probably don’t care, but let me just sum up the book real quick for you.  

Sarah’s Key was incredibly sad. 

I know I should have seen it coming since it is in fact about the Holocaust, but I can say with certainty that I wasn’t prepared for just how sad it would be. It’s embarrassing to admit, but I hardly know anything about the Holocaust and that’s probably to blame for the shock (and increased sadness).  I didn’t realize that the past and present would be intertwined throughout the book, but rather figured it would be a present day story looking back at the past.  Note to self: do a better job of reading the book description.

Even though Sarah’s Key was sad, it was riviting.  I couldn’t put it down.  I had never heard of the Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup that took place in France by the French police back in 1942.  I didn’t realize the extent of the tragedy.  Maybe, just maybe, I should have paid more attention in history class rather than simply use my roommates notes from the previous semester to “study” for test. It was disturbing and heartbreaking, yet sweet.  I was definitely more interested in Sarah’s story that Julia’s, and felt much more sympathy for Sarah.  I was able to learn more about the history through her eyes and honestly, Julia’s woes were simply not comparable to Sarah’s. 

Oh, and the ending… a bit too much like Danielle Steele.  But, maybe that’s just me…

Next Up: The Vow. (not for OMGBC)  I need something a little more sappy and that doesn’t have to do with one of the greatest tragedies in history.