Rating: 
Summary: sets the women's movement back at least a decade!
Review: I'm aghast at the number of people who heartily recommend this sub par novel about 4 women at various stages of life whining to one another during a weekly Koffee Klatch.example 1. Recently divorced clare seeks advice from her three friends re: she and her ex-husband attending their son's soccer games. Clare doesn't want to run into her ex at the field, so 57 year old widowed Liz (who should certainly know better) suggests that clare and the husband divide the games up, so they won't be present simultaneously. Hello this is 2002 and perhaps better advice for Clare would be to BUCK UP AND MOVE ON. example 2. Julia, age 40, finds herself "inexplicably" pregnant while taking the pill. Turns out she had a flu and vomitted, thereby upchucking her contraceptive method, but is she smart enough to figure this out? of course not. Then when she finally comes out of denial, and tells her family she is pregnant, she allows her insipidly rude teenage children to speak to her in an atrocious fashion....repeatedly. Their selfishness is beyond intolerable, but yuppie julia keeps knitting and ignoring, rather than telling them all to BUCK UP AND MOVE ON. Let me add that I myself am divorced, the mother of teens, and was pregnant a year ago, so i can identify situationally with these characters, but must say unequivocably that nobody in my frame of reference reacts in any way, shape, or form as the characters in this book did. My ex and i manage to attend functions for our kids simultaneously AND be civil, my kids were nothing but thrilled about my mid life pregnancy, etc etc. I thought the writing in this book was 7th grade level, the plot totally mundane, the ending preposterous..."and they all lived happily after" sure they did.. blech...worst book i've read this year.
Rating: 
Summary: Debbie's Outdone Herself
Review: I've been eagerly awaiting this title and Debbie's skill and story-telling ability has exceeded my expectations. The characters linger on my mind, the plot is a page turner, and the dialogue is polished to perfection. I loved this book.
Rating:
Summary: I'd Love to Join this Group!
Review: In recent years a new genre has emerged which I refer to as friendship or bonding books. These are those books which chronicle the lives of four or five characters who may meet through various venues. They may meet as college roommates or in book groups or cooking classes, writing classes, or even as tourists on a holiday or the newest place, Internet discussion groups. Titles like Talk Before Sleep by Elizabeth Berg, Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik, Outer Banks by Anne Rivers Siddons and Evening Class by Maeve Binchy are fine examples of these kinds of books. And to this list I now add what I think is one of the best among them, Thursdays at Eight by Debbie Macomber.
Four different women at four different points in their lives and four different ages meet during a journal writing class. While the class proves to be less than worthwhile, these four women bond together and decide to meet weekly. Thus begins these weekly meetings Thursday mornings at 8 am at Mocha Moment a popular coffee shop to continue their friendships. And it is through these weekly meetings the four women learn more about each other, support each other through good times and bad times and ultimately learn more about themselves as well.
Karen is a 28 year old women struggling with her desire to become an actresses and a disapproving mother. Working as a substitute teacher seems to suit her for now as she continues to audition, but is this going to be the sum of her future? Julia at 39 has just opened a knitting shop and with two teenagers in the house can look forward to spending more time with her husband and on herself. But then a big surpass may change all of these plans. Clare is in her 40's and has just been divorced from her husband who fell in love with a 20 year old. Clare is angry and filled with hate for her former husband and can't wait till she can get some revenge. But then she learns that life can turn on a dime and feelings can and do change. And finally there is Liz, both the voice of reason and maturity among the four. At 57 and a widow for 6 years, Liz wonders if time is rushing by her and if she can ever find more meaning to her life now that her husband is gone.
Through the year this book takes place, these four women
lean on one another as they experience joy, pain, grief and profound changes in their lives. The book is told from each woman's point of view at the beginning of each chapter as each character write their journal entry. And then the focus shifts to the group at large as they connect with the event in each other's lives. And perhaps one of my favorite parts of this book is the way the author chose significant quotes as chapter headings. Some of these quotes were funny, some were poignant but all reflected events that were going to happen in this chapter.
Thursdays at 8 is a well written book from the heart that one hates to see end. Now, I would love to know how these four women, I think of as friends, are doing. I think this book will appeal to any reader who treasures her friends and finds they are a wonderful antidote to what life throws our way. Most of all the women Ms. Macomber describes could be any one of us. And in the end I couldn't help but think of the value of friendships in our lives. I highly recommend this book and I think you will find as I did that Debbie Macomber is a writer to cherish.
Rating: 
Summary: Friendship is the key
Review: In Southern California, four women, who met at a journal-writing class, now meet each Thursday for breakfast - four very different women with one thing in common: they are friends. Clare Craig's husband left her and their two sons about a year ago for a 20-year old. Clare is just trying to live well and put the anger and hatred behind her. Learning a secret about her husband changes everything. Liz Kenyon, a 57-year old hospital administrator, is alone on New Year's Eve for the first time. Her husband was killed in a car accident 6-years ago, and her two children have recently moved out or away. Liz is trying to live contentedly by herself, but finds herself attracted to Sean Jamison, a young, womanizing pediatrician. Karen Curtis is a starving actress working as a substitute teacher, using the degree her mother keeps reminding her that "we paid for." Karen feels she's a huge embarrassment and disappointment to her mother, unlike her perfect older sister, Victoria. But Karen soon learns just how perfect Victoria really is. Julia Murchison seems to have it all - a great husband and marriage, and two terrific teenagers. She owns a small knit shop where the personal touch keeps the customers returning. Julia is trying to be grateful for what she has and see the positive side of things. Life throws her a curveball - she's 40 and pregnant. My first book by Debbie Macomber. A smooth, light read. Wonderful character development. Very well-written and enjoyable.
Rating:
Summary: Deserves 10 stars! One of the best books of the year!
Review: In THURSDAYS AT EIGHT, Debbie Macomber writes with her trademark humor and heart, but does herself one better for her mainstream hardcover debut. This book is everything you want from a story of women's problems, friendships, lives and loves. The irresistible set-up--4 friends who meet for coffee and talk each Thursday--draws you into the lives of women struggling, striving and growing. This is a brave, honest novel that brilliantly steers clear of sugary sentimentality and instead focuses on real issues, real emotion and yet brings each endearing character full circle on her journey. An outstanding must-read for fans of women's fiction and romance!
Rating:
Summary: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!!!! WOMEN'S FICTION AT ITS BEST
Review: It has long been my belief that when an author moves from mass market paperback originals to hardcover, the book needs to be something special - partly to justify the increased price and partly to attract a larger audience. THURSDAYS AT EIGHT is Debbie Macomber's hardcover release and there's no doubt about it being justified. The very method she uses to tell the story is unique. Each chapter begins with a journal entry by each of the four main characters who have met in a journal-writing class but after the class is completed, they find they wish to continue meeting and their breakfast club, Thursday morning at 8 AM at Mocha Moments Café is born. In the first four chapters we meet each of the women: Clare Craig, Liz Kenyon, Karen Curtis, and Julia Murchison as they chose their word for the year and write it into their journals on January first. Claire, who has just been through a devastating divorce after 23 years of marriage, choses the word "faithful." She wants the year to be one of new beginnings. She never expects how her faithfulness will be truly tested. Liz, a 57-year-old widow and hospital administrator has begun the year alone for the first time in her life, both her adult children having moved out of towtn in the last three months. She choses the word "time" - accepting being alone and believing she should take time to learn how to live contentedly by herself. But can she achieve that contentment alone?? Karen Curtis is 28 years old and single. She has long dreamed of becoming an actress despite her parents' disapproval. Her word is "acceptance" that her mother will accept her for who she is and quit comparing her to her sister Victoria who is married to a successful attorney and has a young son. The word takes on a new meaning when Karen learns she needs to accept herself. Julia is totally content. She has a happy marriage, two well-adjusted teenagers, and has recently opened her own business, a yarn shop which is doing well. She's chosen the word "gratitude" being happy with what she has. Will she be so grateful when, at age 40, she's faced with an unexpected pregnancy? During the next year each of these four women face truths about themselves but with the love and support of the others, survive. Heartwarming and emotional are words often used to describe the stories told by the talented Ms. Macomber and THURSDAYS AT EIGHT is no exception. Her stories are always enjoyable but this one is even more than that, it enables readers to take stock of their own lives and the people around them. What word would you chose? Maudeen Wachsmith Charter Member, Reviewers International Organization (RIO)
Rating:
Summary: Worst book I've read in a long time
Review: Journals and stories of four women who met in a college writing class. A lasting friendship was formed, and the women decide to keep meeting for coffee and encouragement on Thursday mornings. Each woman is at a different phase of her life than the rest, and relies on the others to carry her through. Sappy, trite writing and a pretty predictable story. Also, seems to preach to me that a woman can't be happy without a man in her life. *groan* The journal entries were interchangeable - except for the specific people in each story, any entry could've been written by any of the four women. They had no distinctive writing voice. The journal style also seemed very undeveloped to me, especially for women who all considered themselves such wonderful writers. Here's an example of the dialogue between one of the woman's teenage sons: "I was watching reruns of The Brady Bunch."
"The Brady Bunch?" Alex repeated. "Why would you do that when there's all those stations? What about VH-1?" Ehhh, yes, most 19 or 20 year old boys like VH-1. Mmm hmm... The best thing about this book were the quotations before each chapter. Save your time - just read those.
Rating:
Summary: An Insightful relationship drama
Review: The four women met at a university class. Each one needs something different because undesirable change has come into their respective lives. Though on the surface they share little in common, the female quartet meet every Thursday at 8:00 AM at the Mocha Moments Cafe and experience the camaraderie that helps them adapt to unwanted change. Over thirteen months divorced with two teenage sons, Clare Craig seeks new beginnings, but still feels haunted by her spouse's desertion for a younger woman. Though her husband died six years ago, fifty-seven-year-old Liz Kenyon still grieves him as memories of his last moments when the semi hit his vehicle haunts her though she was not there to see him die. Still in her twenties, Karen Curtis still believes in her high school drama class dream though no one else, including her parents and Jeff, does. This forces her to grow up and think of abandoning her deepest desires. Julia Murcheson turns forty this year and begins to feel the empty nest syndrome as her teens get nearer to college, that is until she learns she is pregnant. Debbie Macomber shows why she is one of the most powerful, highly regarded authors on the stage today. THURSDAYS AT EIGHT is a brilliant, insightful look at relationships through the interaction of four women, who depend on one another and their weekly breakfast to survive radical change. Each of the main protagonists seem real and their problems genuine, as many reader will testify. The four subplots cleverly blend into a great contemporary tale that demonstrate why Ms. Macomber consistently provides some of the best literature in new and used bookstores. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: I love these women!!
Review: These women could be my friends. Heck, I have friends like these. Strong, affectionate and loyal, if you don't have friends like these I'm sorry! This book kept me on the edge of my seat just waiting to see how everyone was going to work things out! What a great book!
Rating: 
Summary: Good read in spite of shifting points of view.
Review: They were four women, all different, all friends, all keeping one very important weekly appointment as members of a Thursday morning breakfast club. Clare Craig started to take revenge against her former husband for abandoning her and her children in favor of a younger mistress, but her attitude changed when her ex-husband became seriously ill. Karen Curtis was an aspiring actress who had no intention of settling down. Her mother wished Karen would be more like her proper sister Victoria until the family's dynamics change completely because of a family secret. Julia Murchison thought her life was nice and orderly. With two teenaged children and a fledgling business, she thought her calendar was well organized until a surprise pregnancy changes it all. Liz Kenyon was a widow who was just past the serious stage of grieving and wanted to get back into her life. Little did she know that romance was about to re-enter it, no matter how hard she resisted. Friendship is the name of this game, and readers will want to make their own appointments for Thursdays at Eight.
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