Although I’ve been an avid reader all my life — and exchanged book recommendations with friends for years — I was never in a book club until today.

Of course, “thanks” to Covid, it wasn’t what I’ve always imagined: a cozy gathering in someone’s living room, drinking wine, snacking, and veering off-topic.

Well, that last part kind of happened.

This was a Zoom gathering of a dozen women including many who knew each other and a couple of newbies. What I soon realized is that a book club provides permission to gossip shamelessly and unreservedly about people we’ve never met: “I can’t believe he said that!” “I can’t believe she DID that!” “What on earth were they thinking?” “His parents never really understood him.” “She was just trapped.” “How could he have been so callous?”

And, of course, we all wondered what the future holds and whether there will be a sequel.

This could be my favorite new guilty pleasure.