Book & Social Club Okanagan
this month’s feature
By CLARE LESLIE HALL
Beth and her gentle, kind husband Frank are happily married, but their relationship relies on the past staying buried. But when Beth’s brother-in-law shoots a dog going after their sheep, Beth doesn’t realize that the gunshot will alter the course of their lives. For the dog belonged to none other than Gabriel Wolfe, the man Beth loved as a teenager—the man who broke her heart years ago. Gabriel has returned to the village with his young son Leo, a boy who reminds Beth very much of her own son, who died in a tragic accident.
As Beth is pulled back into Gabriel’s life, tensions around the village rise and dangerous secrets and jealousies from the past resurface, this time with deadly consequences. Beth is forced to make a choice between the woman she once was, and the woman she has become.
A sweeping love story with the pace and twists of a thriller, Broken Country is a novel of simmering passion, impossible choices, and explosive consequences that toggles between the past and present to explore the far-reaching legacy of first love.
next books on the shelf
By FREDRIK BACKMAN
By ABBY JIMENEZ
What is Apricus?
Apricus isn’t your average book club. It’s a community of people who come together not just to read, but to connect, laugh, and make a difference.
Each year, our members support a local charity through our annual membership donation of $60. This year, we’re proud to partner with Third Space Charity, who provide “pay what you can” counselling across the Okanagan and host community events that bring people together. Your donation goes straight into our charity fund, and because it’s an official charitable contribution, you’ll also receive a tax receipt.
Our book clubs are hosted in private spaces at restaurants, breweries, wineries, and local venues throughout the Okanagan. Members simply cover their own food and drinks at each gathering, keeping things simple and flexible. In the summer, we add in outdoor BYO picnic-style socials.
Alongside book discussions and social nights, Apricus also organises volunteer days with our charity partner and casual extras like hikes or creative workshops when possible. Together, we raised over $25,000 for Mamas for Mamas last year through donations and hands-on support, and we’re just getting started.
At Apricus, we believe that stories connect us, friendships sustain us, and community gives us purpose. Join us and be part of something meaningful, where every page we turn together helps write a brighter story for someone else.
my story
My name is Meaghan. Since the age of 19, I have been in the emergency field, helping others. First, I became a firefighter in my small town. After that, I moved into Search and Rescue, where I spent my weekends hiking up mountains to rescue people. Then, I decided to join the RCMP and become a police officer. Ten years later, here I am today. I won’t say that the career choices I have made were easy on me; I have suffered from PTSD for several years now. But before you start to feel too upset, this is where my story—and the story of this book club—begins.
My passion for helping people has always taken first place in my life, but the way I have chosen to do it has also taken a toll on my mental health. I started going for long walks, and one day, I decided to listen to an audiobook. Before anyone gets upset that I listen to audiobooks instead of reading hard copies, let me explain: I am a mom, I am healing, I am busy, and I am doing my best. Let me tell you, though, this was LIFE-CHANGING. I was getting lost in fiction novels every month and mourning the end of each one. I found a beautiful hobby that brought me out of some low moments.
I realized that there is nothing better than being able to talk with someone after reading an amazing novel—getting their point of view, crying over the characters together, and then watching the movies and complaining that they are nothing like the book! I started planning how I could incorporate my love of fiction novels, the support of others, and still help my community. Then, out of nowhere, Apricus was imagined.
upcoming events
Social Event-
BROKEN COUNTRY
May 31 - TBD
Social Event-
MY FRIENDS
July 26 - TBD
Social Event-
THE NIGHT WE MET
SEPTEMBER 20 - TBD
my story
My name is Meaghan. Since the age of 19, I have been in the emergency field, helping others. First, I became a firefighter in my small town. After that, I moved into Search and Rescue, where I spent my weekends hiking up mountains to rescue people. Then, I decided to join the RCMP and become a police officer. Ten years later, here I am today. I won’t say that the career choices I have made were easy on me; I have suffered from PTSD for several years now. But before you start to feel too upset, this is where my story—and the story of this book club—begins.
My passion for helping people has always taken first place in my life, but the way I have chosen to do it has also taken a toll on my mental health. I started going for long walks, and one day, I decided to listen to an audiobook. Before anyone gets upset that I listen to audiobooks instead of reading hard copies, let me explain: I am a mom, I am healing, I am busy, and I am doing my best. Let me tell you, though, this was LIFE-CHANGING. I was getting lost in fiction novels every month and mourning the end of each one. I found a beautiful hobby that brought me out of some low moments.
I realized that there is nothing better than being able to talk with someone after reading an amazing novel—getting their point of view, crying over the characters together, and then watching the movies and complaining that they are nothing like the book! I started planning how I could incorporate my love of fiction novels, the support of others, and still help my community. Then, out of nowhere, Apricus was imagined.
Questions & Answers
this month’s feature
By CLAIRE LESLIE HALL
Beth and her gentle, kind husband Frank are happily married, but their relationship relies on the past staying buried. But when Beth’s brother-in-law shoots a dog going after their sheep, Beth doesn’t realize that the gunshot will alter the course of their lives. For the dog belonged to none other than Gabriel Wolfe, the man Beth loved as a teenager—the man who broke her heart years ago. Gabriel has returned to the village with his young son Leo, a boy who reminds Beth very much of her own son, who died in a tragic accident.
As Beth is pulled back into Gabriel’s life, tensions around the village rise and dangerous secrets and jealousies from the past resurface, this time with deadly consequences. Beth is forced to make a choice between the woman she once was, and the woman she has become.
A sweeping love story with the pace and twists of a thriller, Broken Country is a novel of simmering passion, impossible choices, and explosive consequences that toggles between the past and present to explore the far-reaching legacy of first love.
Questions & Answers
my story
My name is Meaghan. Since the age of 19, I have been in the emergency field, helping others. First, I became a firefighter in my small town. After that, I moved into Search and Rescue, where I spent my weekends hiking up mountains to rescue people. Then, I decided to join the RCMP and become a police officer. Ten years later, here I am today. I won’t say that the career choices I have made were easy on me; I have suffered from PTSD for several years now. But before you start to feel too upset, this is where my story—and the story of this book club—begins.
My passion for helping people has always taken first place in my life, but the way I have chosen to do it has also taken a toll on my mental health. I started going for long walks, and one day, I decided to listen to an audiobook. Before anyone gets upset that I listen to audiobooks instead of reading hard copies, let me explain: I am a mom, I am healing, I am busy, and I am doing my best. Let me tell you, though, this was LIFE-CHANGING. I was getting lost in fiction novels every month and mourning the end of each one. I found a beautiful hobby that brought me out of some low moments.
I realized that there is nothing better than being able to talk with someone after reading an amazing novel—getting their point of view, crying over the characters together, and then watching the movies and complaining that they are nothing like the book! I started planning how I could incorporate my love of fiction novels, the support of others, and still help my community. Then, out of nowhere, Apricus was imagined.
this month’s feature
BROKEN COUNTRY
By CLARE LESLIE HALL
Beth and her gentle, kind husband Frank are happily married, but their relationship relies on the past staying buried. But when Beth’s brother-in-law shoots a dog going after their sheep, Beth doesn’t realize that the gunshot will alter the course of their lives. For the dog belonged to none other than Gabriel Wolfe, the man Beth loved as a teenager—the man who broke her heart years ago. Gabriel has returned to the village with his young son Leo, a boy who reminds Beth very much of her own son, who died in a tragic accident.
As Beth is pulled back into Gabriel’s life, tensions around the village rise and dangerous secrets and jealousies from the past resurface, this time with deadly consequences. Beth is forced to make a choice between the woman she once was, and the woman she has become.
A sweeping love story with the pace and twists of a thriller, Broken Country is a novel of simmering passion, impossible choices, and explosive consequences that toggles between the past and present to explore the far-reaching legacy of first love.
next books on the shelf
BY ABBY JIMENEZ
By Fredrik BACKMAN