Book groups everywhere

I belong to three reading groups which normally space out quite nicely through the month.Only one reads a set book, the other is themed reading and the other is a monthly gathering at the local library to share good reads.Suddenly they've all arrived together and I have all three in about five days.
I'd read Frankenstein by Mary Shelley about 7 years ago and failed the re-read for the "set" book group so I had to wing it.I did get out some old essays just to remind myself but that just served to scare me as I saw that I had once been intelligent and clear thinking enough to write 2500 words on an exploration of parent-child relationships in both Frankenstein and Great Expectations and then proceeded to debate how this enhanced or challenged my understanding of the conventions of the realist novel.I'd even been bold enough to employ John Bowlby's 20th century theories of attachment as evidence.
It's little wonder that reading for pleasure disappeared during this phase in my life and how wonderful it is to have it back again.
Anyway, we had a great debate about all things Frankenstein and the book was generally enjoyed by one and all, including me from about 7 years ago.Difficult to imagine how the book was received in the early 1800's because it still has enough of an impact now and one clever person noted that actually there is no specific description of the monster in the book, all our ideas have been gathered from films, so much laughter about bolts through the neck and zig-zaggy joining lines.
Next book will be Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak and I can't wait to start this, I've been meaning to read it for years and now I have to.
This is one of the very good things about a book group.
The final one of the three this evening and we are off to Hotel Endsleigh for our lovely salon evening of bookish talk on the theme of War.
Sorry to keep rubbing it in about how perfect the surroundings are, but just look at this corner of the library.
Regulars here may also remember that I had the last say on this group's first Room 101 book (if three people hate it it is committed to the Room 101 box) so Michael Chabon's fate rests with me. Two people have read and loathed The Final Solution will I be the third?
I'll let them know this evening and the rest of the world here tomorrow.