From Pages to Plates: A Book Club Dinner Inspired by The Women

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This month, I had the honor of hosting our neighborhood book club, where we discussed The Women by Kristin Hannah. If you haven’t read this book yet, stop everything and pick it up! It quickly became one of my all-time favorite reads and was hands-down my favorite book of 2024.

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My Review of The Women

“Wow. Where do I even start?

Kristin Hannah completely blew me away with The Women. It’s one of those rare stories that grabs hold of your heart and doesn’t let go. The book follows Frankie McGrath, a young nurse serving in the Vietnam War. Her journey is raw, emotional, and incredibly moving, filled with courage, heartbreak, and resilience that leap off the page.

What struck me most was the sisterhood Kristin Hannah so beautifully portrayed. The bond between Frankie and the other women she served with gave me chills—a mix of beauty and heartbreak forged in the unimaginable trials of war.

This novel shines a light on a part of history we don’t hear about enough: the women who served in Vietnam and the struggles they faced when they returned home. Hannah doesn’t sugarcoat anything. You feel every ounce of Frankie’s pain, pride, and determination as she navigates a world that doesn’t understand her.

As always, Kristin Hannah’s writing is stunning. From the chaos of war to the quiet moments of connection, every scene feels vivid and immersive. My only (tiny) critique? The ending felt a bit too neat for such a raw, complex story. I craved a messier conclusion to match Frankie’s incredible journey.

Even so, The Women is a book I’ll carry with me forever—powerful, inspiring, and heartbreaking all at once. If you want a story that makes you feel every emotion under the sun, this is it.”

P.S. You can find this review on my Goodreads! Do you have a Goodreads account? If you’re a reader, I highly recommend it! I use it to track my reads, discover new ones, and share reviews. One of my friends, Lizzie, is a go-to for recommendations. I’m lucky to hear her thoughts in our book/cookbook club discussions.

Hosting Book Club: The Pho-nomenal Experience

Since The Women is set largely in Vietnam, I decided to honor the theme with a dinner inspired by Vietnamese cuisine. As a self-proclaimed lover of Asian food (Pho is my favorite!), I couldn’t think of a better dish to serve than this comforting, flavorful soup.

For anyone unfamiliar, Pho (pronounced “fuh”) is a traditional Vietnamese soup made with a rich, aromatic broth, rice noodles, herbs, and protein—usually beef (phở bò) or chicken (phở gà). What makes Pho special is the broth, simmered for hours with spices like star anise, cinnamon, and cloves. It’s often garnished with fresh lime, bean sprouts, basil, and chili, making it the perfect mix of savory and fresh.

Shortcut Pho Recipe

Traditionally, Pho broth takes days to perfect, but let’s be honest—who has that kind of time? Our go-to method is a bit of a cheat, but it’s every bit as delicious. Ian’s the mastermind behind this, so I just tag along to the local Asian market for the ingredients. With his recipe you can whip up a flavorful Pho without spending days in the kitchen. This recipe serves 4-6 people. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

• Pho Beef or Chicken Broth Packets (see images below)
  • For beef, I use Gia Vi Pho Bo (Artificial Beef Flavor Broth)
  • For chicken, I use Essence of Lotus Instant Chicken Pho Soup Mix
• Beef or Chicken Broth (to enrich the packet flavor)
• 3-4 cloves garlic
• 1 large onion
• 1 bunch cilantro
• Your choice of meat: I usually go with sirloin steak, but I also got chicken since I’m not sure what the ladies will prefer
  Hint: You can find pre-sliced options in the frozen section at the Asian market.
• Pho Rice Noodles (see images below)
  I use Rice Sticks Banh Pho Thuong Hang brand
• 1 packet of bean sprouts
• 1 packet of fresh basil
• 1 packet of fresh mint
• Baby bok choy (optional)
• 3 limes
• Hoisin sauce
• Sriracha

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If you don’t have an Asian market nearby or prefer the convenience of shopping online, I found Amazon links for both the broth and the noodles:

• Pho Beef Broth
• Pho Chicken Broth
• Pho Noodles

Instructions:

1. Prep the aromatics: Start by chopping the onion and cilantro, and mince the garlic.
2. Prepare the broth: Follow the instructions on your pho broth packet, but instead of water, use beef or chicken broth for a richer flavor. Add the chopped onion, cilantro, and minced garlic to the broth, and bring it to a boil. Once it’s boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes to infuse those aromatic flavors.
   • For chicken pho: Add the chicken to the broth and cook until fully done before serving.
3. Cook the noodles: While the broth simmers, cook the pho rice noodles according to the package instructions.
4. Add the meat: Arrange raw slices of steak at the bottom of each bowl (if using steak).
5. Assemble the Pho: Add the cooked noodles on top of the steak in each bowl. Then, pour the hot broth over the noodles, making sure everything is submerged in the flavorful broth.
6. Garnish: Top your Pho with fresh basil, mint, cilantro, lime, and baby bok choy (if you’re using it). Don’t forget to toss in a handful of bean sprouts for that perfect crunch!
7. Serve with flavor boosters: On the side, offer Hoisin sauce and Sriracha so everyone can customize their bowl to taste.

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For an extra treat, I usually serve Pho with crispy eggrolls or steamed potstickers on the side to complete the meal. It’s a cozy, satisfying dish that’s easy to make and even easier to love!

Book Club Discussion

The overall sentiment from the group was overwhelmingly positive—most people really enjoyed The Women. Without giving too much away for those who haven’t had the chance to dive in yet, Kristin Hannah truly excels at immersing readers in the story. She vividly brings to life the experiences of Vietnam veterans, with a powerful focus on the roles women played during the war and the unique challenges they faced. The book beautifully captures both their bravery and resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity, as well as the struggles and alienation they encountered upon returning home. Hannah’s ability to convey the emotional weight of these women’s journeys left a lasting impact on all of us.

One of the things I love most about book club is hearing the diverse range of perspectives. It’s always fascinating to see how people experience a story differently depending on the format they choose—whether it’s reading a physical book, a digital version, or listening to the audiobook. In our discussion, those who read the book seemed to connect more deeply with the story and its characters, while a few audiobook listeners mentioned feeling slightly distanced from the emotional intensity. It just goes to show how much the format can shape our engagement with a story.

Another thing I love about book club is the variety of books we get to explore. There have been several books I probably wouldn’t have picked up on my own, but thanks to book club, they’ve quickly become some of my favorites.

Now, I’d love to hear from you! Have you had the chance to read The Women? What were your thoughts? Did it move and inspire you as much as it did for us? Or maybe you have a favorite book, cookbook, or recipe that’s been on your mind lately. I’m always on the lookout for new reads and delicious dishes to try! Books and food are two of my favorite ways to connect with others, and I truly value the conversations they spark.

Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below—let’s keep the conversation going! I can’t wait to hear from you and continue sharing this journey together.

With love,
Britt