What Books Would You Buy with $100?

Last month Jamie Layton talked about how her reading group's selections went awry and whether or not she was going to break some book club rules. Here she updates us on the situation. She also comments on novelist Lesley Kagen's recent post and asks a provocative question. We'd love to hear YOUR answers to that question if you'd like to share them in the comments section.


Before I plunge into this month's entry, I wanted to bring everyone up to speed on the book crisis my reading group was having last month. For the record, I did not break the rules and veer off our predetermined schedule of books. We stuck to the program and just this past Wednesday met to discuss A Thread of Grace, which incidentally is Mary Doria Russell's very interesting novel about the plight of Jewish Italians and Jewish emigres in WWII Italy. Wonderful characters, a bit different writing style, we highly recommend it. Now we're on to The Canning Season by Polly Horvath (a young adult title) and then Elizabeth Gilbert's Eat, Pray, Love in July. Silly me for even thinking about taking the train back to the station early.

I also wanted to comment on Lesley Kagen's entry from Wednesday. Our book group read Whistling in the Dark this past January, and it was a unanimous hit. To make a good book even better, we were fortunate enough to have Lesley join our discussion via phone. It was a memorable meeting our members are still talking about and one that set a standard that will be hard to beat. Whistling is a terrific book club selection and, if you're nice, you could probably convince Lesley to give your group a call! She is one dedicated author --- and funny, witty, open. I could go on and on. Hi, Lesley!

So today I was up at the bookstore and out of nowhere this question pops into my head: "If a hundred dollars turned up in the washing machine tonight, what books would I buy?" I think most of the time we buy a book here, a book there. You pick up the one you need for next month's group one week, maybe a new memoir your friend can't stop talking about the next week, and now and then you splurge on two or three you've been wanting to read. But WHAT IF you could spend $100 right now on books and only books? Would you binge on your "want to read" list? Would you buy 3 - 4 hardbacks or 6 -7 paperbacks? What about that beautiful coffee table book you just saw --- Rocking Chairs Across America? Two $50 art books?

Think of the possibilities. Think also of return on investment. Sure, the coffee table book will look great, but how often will anybody really delve into its pages more than once? Will any of the hardbacks give you more than three or four days of pleasure? Will you end up giving those "want to, have to read" books away? ONE hundred dollars unexpectedly turns up, waiting to give you complete satisfaction in the aisles of your favorite (and hopefully independent) bookstore. I took a stroll through the aisle of our tiny bookstore, and I think I figured out how to make my (imaginary) Ben Franklin last a long, long time. I found three books I've been coveting for quite awhile. Three titles that keep calling to me from their shelves.... Jaaaamie, JAAAAmie.... A trio of tomes I can see myself leafing through again and again...bringing enjoyment to the entire family! With tax I believe they would cost exactly $100, and then Top Chef: The Cookbook, How to Eat Supper and Real Simple: Meals Made Easy would be coming home with me tonight.

So, what books would YOU buy with a hundred dollars?

---Jamie Layton

Book Club Road Trips

Today Shannon McKenna Schmidt teams up with Joni Rendon, with whom she wrote Novel Destinations: Literary Landmarks from Jane Austen's Bath to Ernest Hemingway's Key West, to share some of their favorite pairings of books and literary locales. Their suggestions just might inspire your book club to take to the road or the skies this summer...or perhaps journey vicariously through the pages of these novels. For a chance to win a copy of Novel Destinations and a tote bag filled with literary- and travel-themed items, some of which come directly from author houses in the U.S. and Europe, visit Bookreporter.com.


Whether it's roaming the Yorkshire moors that Emily Bronte depicted so vividly in Wuthering Heights or having lunch in the Victorian ambience of John Steinbeck's boyhood home in California, visiting the places where the stories got their start can add a new dimension to your book discussions. Reading group getaways can be as low-key as visiting a local or regional author house or literary festival or as ambitious as planning an overseas or cross-country getaway. Another idea is to take in a production of the Bard's works at one of the many Shakespeare festivals in the U.S. and around the world. Here are some ideas to get your book club travels started. Bon voyage!

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott/ Orchard House, Concord, Massachusetts
Along with learning about Louisa May Alcott's interesting life, a visit to Orchard House is like journeying through the pages of Little Women. She drew heavily on her family members and their home for the characters and the setting, and it's fascinating to see things like the trunk of costumes the March sisters used to stage their plays and the parlor where Meg got married.

East of Eden by John Steinbeck/ National Steinbeck Center, Salinas, California
A reading of John Steinbeck's semi-autobiographical novel East of Eden would be enhanced by a visit to the California countryside he describes so vividly in the tale. Visitors can take a walking tour of the town, explore the interactive National Steinbeck Center and dine at the Steinbeck House, the writer's birthplace and now a luncheon restaurant serving delicious fare made from Salinas Valley produce.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee/ Old Courthouse Museum, Monroeville, Alabama
Each year in Monroeville, Harper Lee's hometown, a two-act production of To Kill a Mockingbird takes place. The second part unfolds in the courtroom she used as the model for the one in the book (an exact replica was recreated on a Hollywood sound stage for the film version), and playgoers act as trial spectators. It's a unique opportunity to see the novel come to life. At the Old Courthouse Museum are exhibits devoted to Lee and Truman Capote, her childhood friend and the inspiration for Dill in To Kill a Mockingbird.

To Have and Have Not by Ernest Hemingway/ Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West, Florida

Hemingway resided on sun-drenched Key West through much of the 1930s, and the isle provided the backdrop for his only novel set in the U.S., To Have and Have Not. The depression-era saga of a charter boat owner forced into smuggling contraband was penned in Papa's secluded writing studio in the back of his home at 907 Whitehead Street. And no visit to Key West would be complete without stopping by two Hemingway-related watering holes: Captain Tony's Saloon and Sloppy Joe's, where you can sip the tangy signature drink that Hemingway himself once enjoyed, the Papa Dobles.

The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl/ Longfellow National Historic Site, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Uniquely, the yellow brick manse at 105 Brattle Street appeals to lovers of both contemporary and classic literature alike. Once home to poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, it was the setting for his lively Wednesday night Dante Club meetings. Little did he know the intimate scholarly gatherings in his cozy study would be immortalized two centuries later in Matthew Pearl's bestselling historical novel. Special "Dante Club" tours are occasionally arranged by the Longfellow National Historic Site, with Pearl --- who resides locally --- serving as a guest guide.

The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank/Anne Frank House, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Touring the secret annex in the canal-side warehouse in Amsterdam where Anne Frank and her family lived in hiding for two years adds a new dimension to the experience of reading her diary. To realize exactly how small the space is, to see the map on which her father optimistically charted the progress of Allied forces in Normandy and, of course, knowing the tragic outcome, really brings home the hardships they endured.

Northanger Abbey and Persuasion by Jane Austen/ Jane Austen Centre, Bath, England
Jane Austen set portions of two her novels in Bath, and modern-day Jane-ites entering this Regency spa town can't help but feel as though they are stepping back in time. The perfect jumping off point for an Austenian literary sojourn is the Jane Austen Centre, which displays period costumes, Regency artifacts and copies of the author's correspondence that shed light on what life was like during Austen's Bath years. Afterwards, be sure to have tea at the Regency-era Pump Room, where Austen herself often "took the waters" and where Catherine Morland parades with gossipy Isabella Thorpe in Northanger Abbey.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte/ Bronte Parsonage Museum and Yorkshire Moors, Haworth, England
From an eleven-room brick Georgian parsonage in the picturesque village of Haworth, Charlotte, Emily and Anne Bronte roamed the brooding moors, most famously depicted in Wuthering Heights. After visiting the Bronte Parsonage Museum, hike the windswept, heather-covered moors to the stone ruins of an isolated farmhouse known as Top Withens, credited as being the setting of Heathcliff's domain in Wuthering Heights.

Ulysses by James Joyce/ James Joyce Museum and Tower, Dublin, Ireland
Possibly one of the world's most atmospheric literary locales is an imposing stone tower on the south coast of Dublin where James Joyce briefly stayed in 1904. He wove elements of a mysterious incident that occurred there --- a gunshot rang out over his bed one night --- into the opening scene of his masterpiece, Ulysses. Dublin is full of literary riches for book groups, including the Dublin Writers Museum. Wind down the day with the extremely popular Jameson's Dublin Literary Pub Crawl, which includes a visit to Davy Byrne's pub, where Ulysses' Leopold Bloom lunches on a gorgonzola and mustard sandwich and enjoys a glass of burgundy.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo/ Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, France
Paris' famed medieval cathedral was the backdrop for Victor Hugo's sweeping story of deformed bell-ringer Quasimodo and the beautiful gypsy dancer, Esmeralda. After marveling at Notre-Dame's ornate interior, follow in Hugo's footsteps and climb the towers of Notre-Dame for a sprawling view of the city. Other intriguing sites are the staircase leading to "Esmeralda's cell" (located in the bookstore) and le bourdon, the cathedral's largest bell, rung by Quasimodo. Also in Paris is the Maison de Victor Hugo, a stately townhouse where the author moved with proceeds from the bestselling The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.

---Shannon McKenna Schmidt and Joni Rendon

Lesley Kagen: Tales and Tears

Today guest blogger Lesley Kagen reveals a question she's often asked by book club members about her debut novel, Whistling in the Dark, which follows the adventures of 10-year-old Sally O'Malley and her sister, Troo, during the summer of 1959. Lesley lives near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and her second novel, Land of a Hundred Wonders, will be published in July.


One of the questions I'm asked most often during book club discussions is, "What would you say is the best part about getting Whistling in the Dark published?"

Well, shortly after the book was released, I was not at all used to public speaking and book signing and this lavishing of attention, so I did what I always do when I'm feeling insecure. I joked. "Hmmm. I guess I'd have to say the best part would be the fame. Yup. I get a pretty good deal from my mechanic these days when it comes to tire rotating. And, of course, there are those wildly good looking men who throw themselves at my feet on a daily basis. And by wildly good looking men I mean feral cats. And how could I ever forget the adorable twenty-something girl who bumped into me at the supermarket, remarking that my book, set in the fifties, was an enjoyable piece of a historical fiction? 'Clean up on Aisle Three' is the last thing I remember hearing before I fainted."

Thank goodness, I'm feeling slightly more grounded these days. Comfortable enough to tell you that it's --- you. You marvelous women who gather monthly to share your love of the written word. You're the best part about getting published.

As the mother of two, wife, actress and restaurateur, I have spent many of my fifty-eight years busy. Too busy. Between work and caring for my family, there never seemed to be enough time to have lunch with a girlfriend. Do a little shopping. And until recently, I didn't realize how much I missed out on.

Curled up in nooks of great bookstores or the over-stuffed couches in your living rooms, you tell me what you think of my tale of two sisters, which somehow always seems to segue into stories about your own sisters. How much you love them! Despise them! Both! You tell me the many ways my childhood story helped you remember your own. The good parts of being a kid back then, and sometimes, even more importantly --- the not so good. Or maybe, snuffling back tears, you explain that you're reading Whistling in the Dark aloud to your oldest and dearest friend. She's too sick now to read it herself, so hand-in-hand, you strolled right out of that hospital room back to the old days. Laughing together about Toni Home Perms and fuzzy mirror dice, and by the way, whatever happened to good old what's his name?

And when our short time together draws to an end, as if your good humor and lively conversation were not enough, what do you do? You slip me a parting gift. A canvas tote bag stitched with the words Honorary Book Bag. A hand-painted wooden placard that will always remind me that Home is where your story begins. A gracious note taped to a plate of chocolate chip cookies.

Book club women --- your warmth, your devotion to one another and your willingness to let me partake in it all, well, I hope you're proud of yourselves.

You're making an old broad blubber.

No joke.

---Lesley Kagen

Laura Dave's Book Club Inspiration

In today's post, Laura Dave reveals how reading groups played an important part in the creation of a character in her second novel, The Divorce Party, which was recently published by Viking Penguin. Laura lives in New York City and is also the author of London is the Best City in America.


Since my first novel, London is the Best City in America, was released in the spring of 2006, I have rarely gone a week when I haven't spoken to a book club: book clubs from My Space, from a temple or a church or a library, book clubs grown out of other book clubs, book clubs full of people as diverse and surprising as the ways they have come to find me, and to find my books.

When I first began speaking with book clubs, I was warned that it could end up taking up a considerable amount of time, time that I needed to utilize to finish my next book (or, more accurately, time I should be utilizing to finish my second book, but would probably have spent watching The Wire on DVD). But, once I started talking with book clubs, I discovered how much I enjoyed it. We never just talk about my book, but talk about...well...everything. Love and dreams and family and disappointment. Money. Children and the future. Death. Some of these conversations have been the most enlightening (and hilarious) of my life. What these book clubs have taught me has expanded my world, and made it richer.

One of the things that has been the most remarkable to me about speaking with book clubs is gleaning so much wisdom from women of all generations about the many roads they have taken. I have been inspired by so many of the book club members I have spoken with, but maybe none more so than the older members --- women in their 70s and 80s (and 90s!) who are all still full of life, and who have taught me one of the best lessons I've ever learned: If we are lucky, over time, we get better at being ourselves.

My new book, The Divorce Party, focuses on two women on a summer weekend in glamorous Montuak, New York, who find themselves on the opposite ends of their marriages: Gwyn Huntington is stumbling upon the end of her 35-year marriage, and her future daughter-in-law, Maggie, is trying to navigate the beginning of hers.

In writing this book, I infused Gwyn with the wisdom and strength of the women I have gotten to meet at book clubs across the country. She is funny and open and deeply caring the way they are. She understands the importance of family and commitment the way they do. I hope they love her as much as I love her because, much of her goodness, they can thank themselves for.

---Laura Dave

Getting Your Feet Wet With a Book Club --- Literally

With Memorial Day Weekend the "official" start of summer, we wanted to share an idea for a One-Book Book Club, which we think is a great summertime idea. It's a terrific way to dip your toe into the water if you're new to reading groups. For those of you whose groups take the summer off, it's a fun way to keep a book discussion going with a new group of readers. And if you're vacationing with a group of friends, you could host a One-Book Book Club with them and enjoy a book discussion along with the sun and surf.


We know the logistics of committing to meet every month, finding an ideal group of people to discuss a book with and figuring out what to read --- and even selecting the snacks to serve --- sometimes seems daunting. Our advice: Start by getting your feet wet --- literally --- with a One-Book Book Club.

Summer for many means time spent at a pool, a lake or an ocean. Typically you will find people here reading as well. It's a perfect setting for a One-Book Book Club! Gather a few friends and then ask some folks who are reading books that you know something about if they'd like to join this newfound discussion group. (It's funny how books can turn strangers into friends.) Keep things as informal as you can so no one feels pressured by the commitment. Simply ask a few people to read the same book --- we have some suggestions on the list below --- and pinpoint a time when you all are free to chat about it. Then pull your beach chairs or lawn chairs in a circle and get going.

From this summertime meeting you may be inspired to start a club of your own in the fall --- or continue this one-book book club theme with yet another group of friends.

Reading Ideas for a One-Book Book Club Chat:

The Art of Keeping Secrets by Patti Callahan Henry (on sale June 3)
Blood of Flowers by Anita Amirrezvani
For One More Day by Mitch Albom
The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs
I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
The Rest of Her Life by Laura Moriarty
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar
Stone Creek by Victoria Lustbader (on sale May 27)
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

We know there are MANY more titles that will work for this. Whether you want lighter fare, or something meaty to discuss, browse ReadingGroupGuides.com for more great book selections. We'd love to here your suggestions for One-Book titles. Share your feedback with a comment.

Southern Fare

Today Shannon McKenna Schmidt talks about her book club's most recent read --- Eudora Welty's The Optimist's Daughter --- how she came to select it for discussion and what her fellow members thought of this Southern novel.


This month my reading group journeyed to the South...on the page, that is, with Eudora Welty's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Optimist's Daughter. It's the story of a woman who returns to her Mississippi hometown after being summoned to her ailing father's bedside. In keeping with the theme, we met at a restaurant that serves Southern-style food and discussed the book over the likes of fried chicken and pulled-pork sandwiches.

In all the years we've been meeting, and with more than 110 discussions to date, I'm still surprised that conversations can end up being so different --- and different than I expect them to be. What was noticeable this time was that all six of us had very similar reactions to The Optimist's Daughter --- it was not especially liked or disliked but rather everyone had mixed feelings about it.

And there are a lot of points to talk about. We touched on topics like peoples' reactions to death and grief, letting go of the past, the meaning of the title, how much a person's upbringing shapes their character, and how Welty was able to convey so much in a relatively short novel (it's just under 200 pages). There was also much to say about the two main characters, low-key, genteel Laurel (the Optimist's daughter) and bold, brash Fay (the Optimist's much younger second wife).

The Optimist's Daughter was my selection. I became interested in reading Welty's works while researching and writing Novel Destinations, which features literary landmarks in the U.S. and Europe. The Southern states are rich with author houses and museums, one of which is the Eudora Welty House in Jackson, Mississippi. She died in 2001 and bequeathed her home to the State, and it remains much as she left it.

It was fun picking up on certain details in the novel that Welty incorporated from her own life --- such as a cubbyhole desk like one she had, camellias (which were her favorite flower) and books by Charles Dickens with "old crimson bindings scorched and frayed" (her mother once braved a burning house to rescue a 24-volume set of the British scribe's works).

At this month's gathering we talked about going on a literary getaway, something we have yet to do as a group (my book club buddy Erin and I did visit Harper Lee's hometown together in search of sites from To Kill a Mockingbird when I was researching that chapter of Novel Destinations). Hopefully, in addition to more interesting reading and discussing, there's a visit to an author house in our future.

---Shannon McKenna Schmidt


Check out the Novel Destinations contest on Bookreporter.com for a chance to win a copy of the book and a Jane Austen-themed tote bag filled with literary- and travel-related items (some of which come directly from author houses in the U.S. and Europe).

Kristy Kiernan: From Guest to Book Club Member

While I was visiting Books & Books this past weekend in Coral Gables, Florida, for a book club event the store was hosting, I had the chance to meet novelist Kristy Kiernan. She wowed the audience with a funny, touching story about ex-boyfriends and book clubs. I asked her if we could share that story here...


When I was twenty years old my boyfriend of two years broke up with me. For most of that time it had been a long-distance romance. I was living in Ft. Myers, and he'd attended college in Tampa. When he graduated, two months earlier, he'd moved into my apartment.

Things hadn't been going well. The night we broke up we'd had a date. He'd come home from work expecting us to go to a movie. I can't blame him for expecting that, we'd made the plans days ahead of time. We were going to double date with one of his friends, a friend I'd never gotten along with, but was making a real effort to be nice to for the sake of my newly ever-present boyfriend. So he came home from work expecting to find me looking good, preferably hot. Or at least in the shower. I wasn't.

I was still sitting on the patio, my feet up in a chair, reading The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe. I'd worked that day, too, as a waitress at TGI Friday's, on my feet all day, sweaty, reeking of broccoli cheese soup, with fajita burns on my arms. Apparently it was all too much for him. He said, "I thought you'd be ready..." I said something brilliant like... "Huh?" Barely looking up from my book.

Next thing I knew we were in the midst of a full-fledged break-up fight. I had a lot of good ammunition to hurl his way: over the previous two years he'd regularly lied and cheated, and, in fact, I had TRIED to break up with him just the week before but had relented when he curled up on the floor sobbing and begging for forgiveness.

And now here he was, breaking up with ME! His main accusation, his big gun, was that I didn't care about him and had never made an effort to get along with his friends. I was stunned. Because I thought I had made a supreme effort, a practically superhuman effort. But then he pulled out The Example. Evidently, he, and all his friends, and his friends' girlfriends, were incredibly insulted by the fact that when the guys played softball, in a LEAGUE mind you, I sat in the bleachers and...read a book.

See, I didn't know that what I was supposed to do was to perch with cat-like readiness on the metal bleachers and concentrate on grown men running around a dirty field. I was supposed to cheer when a good play was made. I was supposed to know what a good play was. I was supposed to look concerned and mutter with the other women when something went wrong. When nothing was going on on the field, I was supposed to chat about soap operas and who was getting married and how awesome our boyfriends were.

I had no idea. I really didn't. But I recognized, immediately, that he was putting into words the very thing that had always made me different, always set me apart, always made me alone, and often, sometimes lonely.

We moved around a lot when I was a child. Often once or twice a year. And I suffered with the combination of new kid-itis and my love of books. I was called book worm. I was made fun of when I was pulled out of class to go get tested yet again for gifted reading and writing programs. But I could shut it all out with a book in my hands.

As an adult, I was lucky enough to meet and fall in love with a man who was also a reader, but the solitary personality developed by a lifetime of reading had set in, and I wasn't a joiner. I didn't develop a close circle of girlfriends, though I did manage to become proficient enough at a shallow level of socializing that we had plenty of people to do things with in our lives as a couple.

But the end of any night out would find me with anything I could find to read in my hands --- a menu, the back of a ketchup bottle, anything. Frankly, I just couldn't find much in common with other women. I became one of those women who says they've always gotten along better with men.

My solitary nature adapted well to the life of a writer. I wrote for six years before I sold my first book. My neighbors, and many of my friends, didn't even know I'd written three previous novels. And then Catching Genius came out.

Catching Genius was what was called a "small book." Not only that, but several things on the path to publication seemed to indicate that the book wasn't going to get much attention, including my editor dying two weeks after she acquired it. But then book clubs got ahold of it.

Oh my. The book clubs!

Book clubs hadn't even been a blip on my radar. Book clubs were, after all, social clubs, mostly made up of women. I envisioned the same sort of situation as those long ago softball games, and it made me feel nervous, isolated, and definitely not up to that sort of social interaction. And then I was invited to speak at a book club. And then another, and another. And then the requests came pouring in. Whether I wanted to be social or not, I was. And I couldn't bury my head in a book, I WAS the book.

Then my first request came in from a local book club. Oddly enough, the meeting was at a house in the subdivision right across the street from mine. Whew, there were a lot of deep breathing exercises going on in my car on the way over, let me tell you. I got there, and spent the entire night in a state of wonder. My visit had been planned by two of the members as a surprise to the others. One actually tripped over a garbage can in shock when she realized it was me. One casually said hello to me thinking I was someone else and then screamed when we were formally introduced (it startled me enough that I almost screamed back!).

We had wine, and ate dinner, and talked about my book. They were honest, they were smart, they were witty and thoughtful and utterly delightful. And over the three hours I spent with them, I realized that it wasn't me. I WAS social. I DID like women, very much. I wasn't rude, or socially awkward. I'd just never found my people.

THESE WERE MY PEOPLE!

When it was time to leave I didn't want to. Custom dictated that I should be first to go, in order to allow others to leave without feeling they were being rude. But I didn't want to. I made myself walk to the door, women following me, pressing leftovers into my hands and talking about the book they were planning on reading next, a book I happened to have on my nightstand at home.

And I blurted out, "Ha ha, can I come back?!"

They said, "Ha ha yes!"

We were all sort of joking, but were all sort of serious too. And then something amazing happened, I, and those twelve other women, had a moment of complete understanding. They saw through my joke. And they asked, formally, if I would like to join their book club.

That was twelve months ago. I've missed a couple of meetings because of the travel I've done for Catching Genius. But they always welcome me back. These women have become more than acquaintances. They have become my mothers, my sisters and my friends.

I get it now. And I am so honored that I could become a part of it, that I, my book, could be a part of bringing women like me together with other women. At 20 I understood why I was different, at 21 I met the man who would accept me for me, and finally, at 38, I met the wider world who accepted me for me.

I am humbled, I am grateful, and I am excited now, at 39, with my second novel, Matters of Faith, with its tough themes about religion and food allergies and families, already being classified as a great book club read, coming out in August, to be a part of something I never even knew existed.

---Kristy Kiernan

Book Club Mixer Olympics

Beyond swimming and biking (unless we are talking hills), I have never been particularly good at sports. I do not have natural athletic ability nor do have the patience for practice. But reading comes naturally to me and books are something I know. Thus participating in the Book Club Mixer Olympics on Sunday at Books & Books in Coral Gables was right up my alley. Ah, if reading was a sport, I truly would have a gold medal...or three. I often joke that if turning pages or the number of words typed per minute was an athletic event, or the key to being in shape, I would be so there.

It brings back memories of being a child where I would win swimming medals over the summer and then prizes for summer reading when I got back to school in September. I even remember tying for the prize with Sandra Maresca in first grade and the doll we each won for it from Mrs. Falk. Mrs. Falk had not considered a tie thus there was only one doll. And thus I had to wait for mine. My mom is on a mission to clear everything from her attic, and the doll recently found its way to my house. It also reminded me of a far more innocent time when a doll was something to reward a child with, but those nostalgic moments could have a blog of their own.

This weekend I was tapped as a book club coach, and I have a medal on a ribbon to prove it. More than 125 people gathered at the store for this event with a promise that they could get "some training" in both books that are available now and those that were on the horizon this summer that are perfect for book club reading. Again Debra Linn showed her creative powers with this event as we walked through the Olympic analogy complete with every metaphor layered into the mix --- an athlete's village, relays and pumping up reading muscles. And plenty of time for mingling.

This is the third book club event that I have done at this location, and one of the fun things is seeing familiar faces mixed in with the new ones. Before the event I had a moment to catch up with Cristina and Patty, who I have met in the past, and chat about their current reading selection, Loving Frank by Nancy Horan. This time they brought along the rest of their group for the event. It was nice to meet them. The crowd was filled with established groups and readers who wanted to join a group. The first event that we did like this ended up starting seven new groups!!

One of the other "coaches" was Kristy Kiernan, author of Catching Genius and the upcoming Matters of Faith, who hails from Naples, Florida. Her work is loved by book clubs, and it was clear from her talk that book clubs have been very inspirational to her. We often forget how solitary an experience writing can be. The opportunity for an author to speak with readers about her or his writing can be so rewarding. For me this event was a chance to discover a new author. Many audience members came up to me afterwards sharing how much they loved Kristy's writing. The coach learning from the athletes. Nice.

I gave a similar presentation to the one that I had done in the Caymans the day before. Clearly my choices were perfect for this group as I saw many readers headed for the register with books in hand. I was carrying a stack of the five books that I had been talking about, and at one point a woman came up to me and asked, "Can I take those from you? I would like them all." Was that the same as an athlete winning five gold medals?

There were brownies and cookies and beverages, all of which sure beat the vitamin drinks and protein bars usually consumed by athletes. And the crowd lingered after the formal talks for lots of bookish conversation. Hearing the passionate discussions about books and authors was completely invigorating. People were handing me books that I "had to read." All weekend Debra had been teasing me about the huge bag I was carrying. Well, I left for home with 10 extra pounds in it --- all books acquired along my travels!

That night on the flight back home I was sitting next to a woman who was reading Loving Frank. She had just picked it up after hearing a lot about it from other readers. I told her it had been on a short list of recommended titles that I had presented for book clubs that afternoon. She had just cracked the first few pages, and I found myself surreptitiously watching her as she read. I wished the flight was longer as I would have loved to hear what she thought about it. Hmmmm.... Book group discussions on airplanes...now that could make the time pass quickly. Picture people seated in rows by the title they were to discuss. Of course, the readers would have priority seating, their own version of elite access. Given the endless delays that travelers have these days, this just might work. I think I need to get Debra pondering this. Books & Books book discussion flights on the way to Miami. I think it works!

By the way, Kristy's talk was so inspiring that as soon as she walked away from the podium I scrawled a note asking her if we could share her speech with you as a blog post, which we will be doing tomorrow. I am not going to give away much more about this now except to say that we often forget how authors can find a home with book clubs as easily as readers do. After all, we all are bonded over a love of books and reading.

---Carol Fitzgerald

Book Club Adventures on Grand Cayman

Books really do bring people together. This idea was crystalized for me last Friday night in the Cayman Islands, of all places. I was invited down there by one of our Blog contributors, Debra Linn from Books & Books, who manages the book club events for the store. Along with Lisa See, the author of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and Peony in Love I was asked be part of the lineup for their first book club event at the Cayman store.

As background, Grand Cayman has a population of about 50,000. Before the Books & Books store opened at Camana Bay, readers on the island had limited places to buy books. In fact, many of those who I spoke with mentioned that they would go to a book swap at the local animal shelter (actually I think the dog rescue) to get many of their books. Thus when a store which is as robustly stocked and beautifully merchandised as Books & Books comes to town not only do readers discover books to read, they also find other readers.

This event was the sixth in the store's International Authors Series and the first with a book club theme. We wondered how many people would be there since there were so many unknowns. Sally, the store manager, assured us that people were going to gravitate to an event like this as it was just the kind of thing they were looking for. That was evident when I got to the store at 6:30PM and was told that folks had started gathering in the seats as early as 6PM. By the time the event started the group had swelled to 80 people and at least 20 others moseyed in during the program. I have been to author events in New York City where authors and store people would be thrilled with half that number!

Lisa was a PERFECT choice for the author guest for this event as her novels, especially Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, have become beloved discussion books among book groups. During my talk I mentioned how Lisa's work is an example of a book where readers can learn something about a culture that they may not have explored. I challenged the audience and asked who could read Snow Flower and not "Google" footbinding. As soon as I said this there was an appreciative roar of acknowledgement among the audience. It was very special to be out of the States connecting with people via the medium of books and have a comment resonate so resoundingly. Lisa's talk and the Q&A session that followed further cemented this feeling as she shared stories of the research behind the book --- and how she came to write it. I have seen Lisa speak about this book on three other occasions, but there was something about this talk that made it even more special. There was a relaxed atmosphere to the evening and there was a true feeling that the audience was not jaded by moments like this, but rather excited about the opportuity to be at the core of something pretty special --- a new home for booklovers.

The next step was to get the readers mingling. Debra is the ultimate events planner and as always had this covered. She puts great thought into terrific mixer ideas for her book club events that help bring people together and she employed many of those here. Upon arriving at the event each attendee picked up a name tag that also had the name of one of the books that we were talking about that evening. After the formal part of the event readers were asked to find three other people with the same title on their nametag. Once they had their group together they were to head to a spot in the store where they would be rewarded with an advance reading copy of an upcoming summer title. As soon as Debra gave the word for people to start their search there were adults racing around the room with the speed of small children playing musical chairs to be the first to be awarded galleys. It was really fun to see their excitement.

It was lovely to see people coming together to talk about the books and authors who they love --- and to share book club ideas. I walked around the room asking people what their groups were reading --- lots of literary choices among this group ---- and shared more about the titles that I was recommending: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, Loving Frank by Nancy Horan, Things I Want My Daughters to Know by Elizabeth Noble, Sheer Abandon by Penny Vincenzi and Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult. Hearing the readers discussing their favorites --- and talking about those that generated the most conversation --- was as much fun as hearing how the groups had come together.

Many of the Caymanians are ex-Pats from England and Australia, and it was fun to hear their British expressions and the word "brilliant" being used to describe the books that they were talking about. They also are proud of the island, and I was given tons of hints about things to do while I was there. This trip had snuck up on me and I had done no research about it before I left and thus I was enjoying these ideas for swimming and snorkeling locations as much as they were loving the book recommendations.

The following day as Susanna Blackburn, who works with the Camana Bay development project, was driving us to the airport, she mentioned that she had been reading Peony in Love the night before and just loving it after hearing Lisa's talk. She felt it was such a special experience after hearing the background that Lisa had shared. Aside from her charming accent, the driving on the right hand side of the road and the roundabouts that reminded me again that we were out of the country (as well as glad that she, not me, was driving), I could have been having this same conversation with a reader in the States. Her enthusiasm and excitement were great to see and made me realize how much fun it will be for authors who visit here in the future. The audience clearly left knowing how special moments like this can be. Tomorrow's post will be about the book club event in Coral Gables that followed this one and the author who I discovered there.

---Carol Fitzgerald

Going Graphic

The lunchtime book club at Cynthia Baxter's workplace in Gig Harbor, Washington, grew from occasional conversations about book-to-movie adaptations into a full-fledged book club. Their reading roster has included titles like Life of Pi and Middlesex, and they've also explored another type of book: graphic novels. Cynthia shares some of her favorites and the title she recommends for groups that would like to read a graphic novel.


Are your book selections starting to run dry? Looking for a way to shake it up with your reading group and try something new? The Meta Book Club in Gig Harbor, Washington, was in such a spot ourselves; we were looking for something beyond the usual award winners and classics and eventually added graphic novels to our list. The graphic novel is an underdog domain in literature that usually is found under "Other." It is a refreshing diversion from the usual "General Fiction" or "Women's Interests" or "Historical Fiction" domains.

Our group is small but eclectic, and the age range is wide. Since we are all co-workers, we had IT guys sitting down with medical writers and biostasticians, human resources staff, and product development and data managers. Finding a common ground could be a bit daunting for this group if it were not for the love of reading. Some of the younger members were already familiar with graphic novels, and anime or manga. The older members were not and were more familiar with text novels but were all fans of comic books when they were kids. Since I love all formats and media of literature, I suggested the graphic novel as a means to bring both groups together. The reaction overall was one of curiosity. For those who had read graphic novels, my suggestions were new to them, and those who had no experience were amazed at the detail and depth. These are not the comic books of their youth!

Here are the graphic novels my group has read:

The 9/11 Report: A Graphic Adaptation by Sid Jacobson and Ernie Colon
- Based on the Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States
- This is a very interesting approach and a MUST SEE

300 by Frank Miller and Lynn Varley
- Based upon the story of the Spartans' struggle for liberty, autonomy and, ultimately, survival
- The movie is based off of this book --- an interesting discussion point if both are reviewed

From Hell by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell
- One of Alan Moore's first independent graphic novels
- Deeply researched approach to the unsolved Jack-the-Ripper case

Persepolis 1: The Story of a Childhood and Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return by Marjane Satrapi
- Volume 1 is a visual memoir of the author's childhood in Iran
- Volume 2 recounts her high school years abroad and her return to Iran

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by Alan Moore, Kevin O'Neill, Ben Dimagmaliw and Bill Oakley
- Alternate universe utilizing characters, places, items and plots from Victorian-era gothic literature (how well do you know your H. Rider Haggard?)
- Supplementing with reference books by Victorian literature specialist Jess Nevins is highly recommended

For those newly initiated to the format, they reported they felt like they were watching a TV show. Some missed "the words." Some wished that all government reports would have a graphic adaptation (in reference to the 9/11 Report). Others enjoyed the story and went on to share it with their kids. It depended upon which book we were reading. Graphic novels are mostly intended for adults and can be a bit um...graphic at times. Not all graphic novels are best for reading groups, and I recommend the ones on the list above. For 300, it's best to pair it with the movie version.

Graphic novels are a wonderful departure from the more traditional format. In creating your discussion questions, you can utilize the basics but throw in a few new ones that would not be appropriate for a text book. Example: Did the absence or use of color enhance the mood of the story? Is there a bias presentation to the story --- are the stories saying one thing but the pictures saying something different? Also, discuss the level of detail --- some graphic novels are mere scribbles while others are highly detailed.

If you think that your group might be interested in a graphic novel, I suggest Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi as a starting point. This graphic novel is unusual in several ways --- it is autobiographical, and it is entirely in high contrast black and white. There are discussion guides available for both Volume 1 and Volume 2, and the DVD for the animated version will be released in June.

Enjoy!

---Cynthia Baxter

Men and Books: How We Eat

Andrew McCullough and his band of fellows are defying the stereotype that men don't participate in reading groups. And what's more, they truly get into the spirit of things by preparing feasts for their meetings --- food, drink and ambience tied in to the theme of the book being discussed. Here Andrew shares some of their memorable moments and describes how the Man Book Club went from serving cold cuts to multi-course meals.


The original idea was simple: a group of likeminded guys would get together and talk about books. Naturally, we'd find a way to lubricate our discussion with alcohol. What no one expected was that food would become the draw for most of the men and the catalyst for some of our best discussions.

When I first pitched the idea for a men's book club, my understanding (from various women's book groups) was that some food and drink was necessary to fuel the discussion. So I laid out some simple rules. I asked guys to bring their own beverages and I requested that the host provide a light supper. At the first meeting, I complied with my own rules. I served up cold cuts and let everyone make sandwiches. That was the last time a "light" meal accompanied our discussion.

Since then we've seen only multi-course spectacles featuring the finest in organic this and fresh-caught that. No one will admit he's trying to outdo the prior host. But the number of men willing to take an entire day off work in order to prepare dinner for 15 is --- like the quality of the meals themselves --- rising with each passing month.

Surprisingly, our emphasis on food has produced more vibrant book discussions. We've been stimulated by one chef's inventive pairing of entrees with book characters (Steve Martin's Born Standing Up, Ishmael Beah's A Long Way Gone, and Cormac McCarthy's No Country for Old Men), by another's choice of a dessert that captured a key moment in the novel (T.C. Boyle's The Tortilla Curtain), and by a particular dinner setting that aped the atmospherics of our book that month (John Steinbeck's Travels with Charley). Our meetings have morphed into a form of dinner theater, where we are the cast and where our host gets to play director.

I'm stunned by this turn of events. I had no idea how important food, and its preparation and presentation, is to most men. While I'm excited by the culinary sideshow we've all created, I'm more than a little worried about the next meal I'm supposed to prepare. Can anyone recommend a novel where the characters only eat sandwiches?

---Andrew McCullough

Book Club Candy

Selecting books is an important task for any book club, and lists of recommended titles can make it easier. In this post, our regular contributor Jennifer Hart shares highlights from a list of reading selections nominated by independent booksellers across the country. It's like having a plethora of personal recommendations --- each book on the list includes a note from a bookseller on why he or she picked that title.


Nothing is more like candy to a book club girl than a list of great books. As book groups determine what to read each and every month, a list provides inspiration and guidance --- surely the next great book we're going to read can be found here! Book Sense, the marketing arm of independent bookstores nationwide, has released its list of Spring/Summer 2008 Reading Group Picks, and I was so pleased to find books on here that I haven't read.

The top ten (with links to one of the country's best independent booksellers, Powell's in Portland, Oregon) are:
#1 Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
#2 The Gathering by Anne Enright
#3 The Tenderness of Wolves: A Novel by Stef Penney
#4 Luncheon of the Boating Party by Susan Vreeland
#5 Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year of Food Life by Barbara Kingsolver
#6 Kabul Beauty School: An American Woman Goes Behind the Veil by Deborah Rodriguez and Kristin Ohlson
#7 The Uncommon Reader: A Novella by Alan Bennett
#8 A Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas
#9 Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson
#10 The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood

Following the top ten is a list of more than 50 more books organized in eclectic categories like "The Impact of War," which includes Dave Eggers' What is the What; "Compelling Portraits," which includes Debra Dean's The Madonnas of Leningrad; and "Faith and Works," which includes Anne Lamott's Grace (Eventually). I can personally recommend the "Lively Account" Truck by Michael Perry, and I really look forward to putting forth The Knitting Circle by Ann Hood the next time it's my turn to nominate books. (For how we do that, check out my earlier post on the topic).

Check out Book Sense's full list here, and note the handy "email to a friend" option way at the bottom --- forward it to everyone in your book group!

---Jennifer Hart, bookclubgirl.com


To read Debra Dean's ReadingGroupGuides.com blog post, click here. And for Ann Hood's post, click here.

Stephanie Hirsch Discusses Moms of All Kinds

We're not done with Mother's Day just yet. Today's post is by Stephanie Hirsch, the author of Mother Nurture: Life Lessons from the Mothers of America's Best and Brightest. She talks about what inspired her to write the book and about some of her favorites of the many inspiring moms she profiles in it pages. And for those reading groups that decide to select Mother Nurture for discussion, Stephanie also has some terrific topics to get the conversation started.


My inspiration to write Mother Nurture was my son. I wanted be the best mom for him and to help him to be successful in life but was so overwhelmed with going to work, being a new mom, and just feeling overwhelmed and confused...all I wanted to do was speak to Steven Spielberg's mother! I kept asking myself, "What did Steven Spielberg's mother do right?" To me he is a very well-rounded person. He is the most successful person in his field, he is a family man, has good values and is philanthropic. From wanting to speak to Steven Spielberg's mom I came up with idea to interview the mothers of highly successful people in all different fields: sports, politics, film, etc, and see what kinds of advice and values they instilled in their children.

Once I had my son I did not realize that my entire world would turn upside down! No one ever told me that a baby only sleeps three hours a night, that your stomach does not go back to being completely flat after you give birth, that your emotions and thoughts are all over the place and you are in a perpetual fog for the first six months. And no one ever told me that your heart would be so torn apart the first time you walk out the door without your baby that you cannot stop the tears or intense emotions that make you want to never leave for even one second.

The moms in Mother Nurture have incredible, wise and useful advice for new and seasoned moms. It is quite inspiring to learn from Justin Timberlake's mother that she always encouraged Justin "to do the right thing no matter what," and that Alicia Keys' mom instilled "respect for elders, people, nature and god in her." I also loved how Lance Armstrong's mother said "it was NOT about what I could give him but what I could show him" that she thought was the most important quality she could give him as his mother. This book is thought provoking and takes us back to a time when life was simpler and we did not have all the luxuries we have today. After interviewing the moms of the 52 Best and Brightest, what I learned is that we must "lead by example," set traditions for our families, foster a sense of independence in our children and, most importantly, be there in mind, body and soul.

For those reading groups that select Mother Nurture for discussion, one topic is how in this present day we have so many luxuries that seem to make child rearing so much easier --- but in reality these are just "material" things. Also great to talk about are the common themes amongst the moms in the book and how they raised their children (ie, dinner every night). Book clubs should ask members how they can incorporate this aspect into their lives (maybe it's not about dinner every night in this day and age but about setting traditions and time for your family and making it the #1 priority --- no meetings, schedules, friends or parties can get in the way; for example, every Sunday is family day from noon to 3). Another point to discuss is leading by example. Have members share their favorite examples of moms walking the walk and talking the talk. A personal favorite of mine is Dr. Robi Ludwig's mom, who said: "Children do not always listen to what you say, but they often imitate what you do."

---Stephanie Hirsch

Mameve Medwed on Mothers-in-Law

Novelist Mameve Medwed touches on a subject that some of our readers can no doubt relate to: not-so-nice mothers-in-law, a topic that factors in to her new novel, Of Men and Their Mothers. But as she explains to an attendee at one of her book singings, there are also "some wonderful loving mothers" in the story. Think about the great discussions this novel could generate! Mameve is also the author of How Elizabeth Barrett Browning Saved My Life, The End of an Error, Host Family and Mail.


Last week, I attended a fund-raising event in Indiana to promote my new novel, Of Men and Their Mothers. Many people bought it for Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day, I wrote over and over for Susan and Linda and Winifred. "I think I'll get this for my mother-in-law," one woman announced. I signed it for her. "The mother-in-law in here isn't exactly endearing," I confessed. The woman turned pale.

"But there are some wonderful loving mothers in it," I hastened to add. She didn't look convinced. If I hadn't signed it, I was sure she would have marched right back to the bookseller and exchanged it for the thriller on the Napoleonic wars.

Full disclosure: my own mother-in-law was the kind old-time comedians make hay out of, a woman whose lips were cemented into an inverted U. Here's the story: My husband and I met when we were three and five. On our shelf sits a blown-up photo of the two of us at a long-ago nursery school birthday party, sitting directly across from each other. "I arranged it that way," he'll boast about this totally coincidental seating plan. He's wearing short pants and a wide tie.

I must not have held this outfit against him because when we met again, fixed up by a mutual friend, I jumped to accept the date. I was home in Bangor, Maine, the summer after my freshman year of college and bored. We became a couple right away. His mother did not approve. Did she object because we were so young? Maybe it was Oedipal, I deduced, since he was the only son born after three much older sisters. She had produced him, in her forties, after she was promised a mink coat for a boy. I wasn't pretty enough, she complained. "But you're beautiful," my husband defended. I wasn't rich enough, she stated. "She has rotten values," my husband said. When he called to tell her he'd proposed, she slammed down the phone.

She scowled through our wedding of five invited guests. Two years later, she died. At the funeral, her eulogy was minimal: she had four children, she kept a tidy house; she read the newspaper every day.

Even after decades, she still wields power. My husband, a lawyer, advises his clients never to criticize the significant others of their children. Sometimes when we have a fight, his jaw clenches. You look just like your mother pops out of my mouth. It's the worst thing I can say to him. Though we try to delete her memory, like the excised black sheep in the family album, it's hard. Perhaps, as a novelist, I could exorcise her by putting her on the page, I thought.

Writing out of revenge doesn't work. The character becomes caricature. As a result, the fictional mother-in-law in my book is more layered than the actual woman she's based upon. And, I've granted her a few moments of redemption.

But if mothers-in-law in novels earn redemption, real life mothers-in-law run the gamut. For my website, my publisher suggested a contest to name the best and worst mother-in-law stories. I was amazed to discover scores and scores of entries. Obviously I'd struck a nerve. One woman wrote in that her mother-in-law sent her a case of Slim Fast --- and she weighed only 125 pounds. Another, that her mother-in-law returned a gift with these words --- I'm giving you back this necklace since you love tacky things. But my favorite was the woman who emailed that her husband's mother had sent him, on his thirtieth birthday, a gorgeously wrapped box, tied in satin ribbons. When he opened it, inside was a pair of cut apron strings.

In my novel, I write about men attached to their mother's apron strings, men who have cut them, boys in the process of separating from them. Let's face it --- all men have mothers and have to navigate the shoals of those ties that bind.

In real life, I have two terrific sons. They each chose remarkable, accomplished, smart, kind, funny and adorable wives. When somebody asked me, at a reading, what kind of mother-in-law I was, one of my daughters-in-law was there to testify to my exemplary MIL-ness. She swore she wasn't making it up.

So here's my point: Let's vow to love the people our children love. Let's accept with grace and gratitude every chocolate, flower, vial of perfume, book and good wish --- along with that case of Slim Fast and the tacky necklace. Happy Mother's Day to all of you.

---Mameve Medwed

Elizabeth Noble: Mothers, Daughters and Reading Groups

Today, guest blogger Elizabeth Noble shares a true-life story about three generations of mothers and daughters. Elizabeth's most recent novel is Things I Want My Daughters to Know, and she is also the author of The Reading Group, Alphabet Weekends, and The Friendship Test.

I just got back from Toronto, Canada, the last leg of my book tour, which has been going on and off since February of this year, when my new novel published in the UK. This book tour thing is not as glamorous as it sounds (I'm not sure if it even sounds glamorous). Especially when you leave behind two little girls who've taken advanced classes in guilt-inducement, and a husband who has many wonderful skills and talents that serve him well in life but who can't do braids or multi task at breakfast time... I'm old enough now that hotel mattresses can make or break a day for me, and airports have pretty much lost the exotic allure they once had.

What I do love about the book tour (apart from little bottles in hotel bathrooms and, actually, taking a bath alone and without having to answer questions about long division while I lather) is the book readers you get to talk to. It doesn't really matter if it's a "crowd of three" (okay, it used to, but I've developed the hide of a rhino at this point) or luncheon for 600 (now I'm showing off --- it was the delightful Texas librarians, and I "shared" the bill with Jenna Bush, first daughter, but hey, whatever works!). Writing is a solitary profession (I still miss water cooler conversation and lunch hours), and it is truly wonderful to be amongst people who love books (and if they happen to love YOUR book, your cup runneth over).

Since my first novel, The Reading Group, I have been privileged to be a guest at many, many book clubs. Library ones, which tend to be more serious and focused, school-run mom ones, where the ratio of book chat vs life the universe and recalcitrant husband chat is sometimes a little skewed, mother/daughter book clubs, some of which began when the daughters were teens, and now include granddaughters, book clubs with fellas (these are rare, and the dynamic is completely different, but I've had some great conversations at those)... I love them all. (I still "go" to my own English book group, two years after I moved to New York, over the phone, or via the magic of Skype --- favourite call of the month.)

This new novel is called Things I Want My Daughters to Know, and what has been especially lovely about publicizing it is that book clubs and mothers and daughters have come out together to hear me speak. What was especially lovely about Toronto is that I took my own mum with me. The event was at a liquor store (I know, I was dubious too, but this is the LCBO in Ontario, and they've kitted out a lot of their stores with beautiful event spaces not unlike the set of the Martha Stewart show --- fortunately no one asked me to make a complicated craft thing or a bundt cake while I spoke --- and serve themed cocktails and nibbles that match your subject) and there were lots of mums there with their adult daughters. We had a fabulous time, and I felt I really connected with many of them as we discussed this most complicated and formative relationship that we've all had.

Now, I'd never taken mum with me "on the road" before. She'd heard me on the television and the radio, but she'd never actually been there. She made me a little nervous, frankly, especially given the subject matter. (I think I probably prefaced a lot of the stuff I always say about mums with "this doesn't apply to my mum, of course," but I'm not sure anyone was buying it!) And I wanted to impress her (does that ever stop?!). I couldn't really look at her while I spoke, and she was off stage right, so I didn't see her face.

In the car on the way back to the hotel, we rang New York to make sure all was well. My daughter Ottilie cried because she was tired and she hadn't finished her spelling homework. My daughter Tallulah was flush with excitement, having survived the dress rehearsal for her school play (Honk, a musical of the Ugly Duckling story). My dad came on and asked my mum how I'd been. "She was MAGNIFICENT!" my mum said emphatically, beaming with pride. And so I exhaled.

We flew back Wednesday morning, and got to school just in time to watch Tallulah sashay and jump her way across the stage as 4th froglet from the left (a seminal role). This morning Tallulah's father, who was at Yankee Stadium watching the Yankees lose that night (don't worry --- he'll see the play today), asked Tallulah how the show went. "Don't ask me," she said coquettishly. "Ask Mum." So he did. My answer? "Daddy, she was MAGNIFICENT!"

---Elizabeth Noble

Kathy L. Patrick's Mother/Daughter Reading Selections

With Mother's Day this weekend, we asked ReadingGroupGuides.com contributor Kathy L. Patrick to share some of her favorite mother/daughter moments. In addition to being the owner of Beauty and the Book in Jefferson, Texas, founder of The Pulpwood Queens Book Club, and author of The Pulpwood Queens' Tiara Wearing, Book-Sharing Guide to Life, Kathy is the mother of two daughters who both share her love of reading.


I have read to my daughters since before they were born. A favorite book was Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, and then as the years flew by we embraced the Madeline storybooks by Ludwig Bemelmans. My oldest daughter, Helaina, named her sister, Madeleine, after those books. We moved on to those first chapter books, the Junie B. Jones stories by Barbara Park; then all of a sudden, my girls wanted to read on their own. I still kept reading aloud to them, although at the beginning reluctantly. I searched and found books so engaging to their interests that they soon resigned themselves to the good listen.

One in particular was Fat Girls and Lawn Chairs by Cheryl Peck. When my oldest was 13, she couldn't be bothered to even pick up a book. I lured her to my reading wingback chair with the most enticing cover. A yellow cat wearing sunglasses and a purple wig, sticking out his tongue, with a lime green background on the cover of the book captured her pre-teen attention. I began reading. After a couple pages, she slumped on the couch in total resignation. I reached the cat part and I knew I had her. We love cats. She slowly stood up and came over and perched on the arm of my chair to follow along with the words. Next thing I knew she slid down in the seat with me, legs a kimbo, while I read. I read and read until we read the whole book. When I ended we both smiled and hugged. Imagine a hug from a 13-year-old daughter. Sublime, my friends. Reading can connect in a way no other venue can.

Now with both my daughters graduating, one from the eighth grade and the other high school, sharing good reads has become even more our pastime. We are a family that reads. I learned a long time ago that children learn by actions not words. You want to see them reading, then you better be reading. Luckily for me, reading is a given. To me reading is the highest form of entertainment. I read every day and every night. Reading is just as much a part of my life as breathing. As Mother's Day rapidly approaches here are a few of the books we have enjoyed reading together, and reading separately only to discuss together later.

One Sunday my oldest came, bull in china closet, down the stairs. "Mom, mom, I read your book The Devil Wears Prada. I about croaked thinking that this book might be beyond her 15-year-old grasp. As she plopped on the couch we talked about the book, and then I told her about Bergdorf Blondes. I wanted her to read it, as I wanted to know if she thought girls should think more about shopping than about learning that serving others was to me of greater importance. After reading the book and discussing the book, she agreed with me wholeheartedly. These girls were shallow beyond all belief. Isn't it funny how books where you hate the story the most, you have the best book club discussions.

My youngest and I, too, have shared many a book. Recently, we started reading together Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor about a young girl and her mother who is far from normal. I left myself wide open for that comparison. I also found that Madeleine couldn't wait to go to bed so we could share that book together. Something to think about if you have a teenager that usually wants to stay up way past bedtime. I came back from my book tour with a book called The Chicken Dance by Jacques Couvillon that the girls and I have gotten quite a kick out of. It is the story of a 14-year-old boy who goes to live on an island off the coast of Louisiana with his parents to run a chicken ranch. His mother is totally against the whole thing and when asked about her chickens she tells to all, "Oh, we don't raise chickens for profit, we raise them for the ambiance." Funny, poignant, and a great coming of age tale that we have certainly spent many an hour being entertained.

For older teens, read A Model Summer by Paulina Porizkova. A 15-year-old girl is put on a plane to fly to Paris to become a model. I do believe that if every mother and her daughter would read this book, we could change the face of fashion today. Interestingly enough, Paulina too was put on plane at 15 to become a model. She told me when she was here visiting my book club at our Girlfriend Weekend, that if her mother had not done so she would have been a librarian. I was fascinated to learn that this international model turned author wrote this book in her third language. This is an important book and could change the way we view modeling today. My daughters and I have spent hours talking about this book and Paulina, who is even more beautiful on the inside as on the out.

Then, of course, I have to mention my all time favorite classic, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. This book that I read as a child, and now one I read every year, is the book that touches me more than any other. I did not realize how much my books meant to my children until one day I told them maybe I should sell my books to help raise funds for an author in need. Both my daughters forbid it and both told me, "Mom, those books are you. Long after you are gone, we will have you with us as we will have all your beloved stories. What do you want for Mother's Day?" All I know is I already received my gift: my children adore reading. Those shared story times are more precious than gold to me, and I have the filthy house to prove it, ha ha ha! I would much rather read to my children than clean house. Which do you think they will remember? My mother always kept a spotless house or my mother always took the time to read to me? I asked my daughters the other day what was their favorite childhood memory. They told me, "You reading to us, momma." Brings a tear to my eye everytime I tell it, I'm such a sap.

You want to connect with your mother? Your daughter? Share a good read. There is nothing in the world that means more to me than pulling my two almost grown daughters into my lap --- well, maybe scrunched on the couch on each side --- reading a good book. The power of the touch, the sound of each others' voice reading the story, the power of the good word is the perfect Mother's Day gift to me.

---Kathy L. Patrick

Book Club Activism Continues

Book club activism has struck a chord. Last month ReadingGroupGuides.com contributor Debra Linn wrote about how her group was inspired to take action after reading Edwidge Danticat's family memoir Brother, I'm Dying, and they donated money to the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center. In her post she provided other examples of books that could lead to activism, one of which is Ann Hood's The Knitting Circle.

Here Ann describes her reaction to reading Debra's post, which also compelled her to share in an eloquent, poignant essay the personal circumstances that led her to pursue activism and how reading groups --- and knitting circles --- really can make a difference. To watch a video of Ann talking about The Knitting Circle, click here.


When I read Debra Linn's post about book club activism, I immediately thought of all of the book clubs I have spoken to about my novel, The Knitting Circle, and my new memoir, Comfort: A Journey Through Grief. Book clubs across the country are filled with excited and engaged people who want to reach out to writers, to communities, to other readers. I added a link to my own website, http://www.annhood.us/, after requests for me to speak by phone or to attend book club meetings began pouring in. And what an experience that has been! From New Hampshire to Ohio to Oregon, book club members have shared with me their own thoughts and personal stories about knitting, literature, and grief.

Debra Linn made me take these responses one step further. Book clubs are the perfect place for activism to take root. The members already have a commitment to meeting regularly and to the topics they discuss inspired by the books they read together. Both The Knitting Circle and Comfort explore the healing powers of knitting and of knitting circles. How easy to add knitting for children in need to already cohesive caring book groups. Many of the book groups I have spoken to ask me how they can get involved in their community. Debra Linn proves that activism is as close as your nearest book group.

---Ann Hood

Book Club Break-Up

Today's guest blogger is Karen Dulak, who discusses how her book club unexpectedly disbanded, the new reading group she has joined, and some of the most memorable books she's read and discussed. Karen lives near the banks of the Mississippi River in Winona, Minnesota, with her husband, two kids, and a big orange cat named Cheeto. She loves to read, and when she isn't reading she is searching for something to read. Karen is a contributing columnist for the Winona Daily News.


Belonging to a book club is an intimate affair. Without the proper guidelines for the entire group to adhere to, tragedy can strike. This is the case with the first book group I belonged to. One member invited a friend to join our group without consent and that marked the beginning of the end for our club. The new person was rude to an existing member and harshly corrected her analogy of an event in the current book we had read. After that night, I had several calls from members very unhappy that this new person was now a part of our community.

Like a marriage that suffers from an extramarital affair and falls apart, our club slowly and painfully broke up. It was a hard thing to experience as we had had a great run and discussed a wide variety of books within the time we had been together. I was asked to join a new club about a year ago. I was so happy to be welcomed into a new book club again because it's hard to gain entrance into an existing book group that's been hanging together for a while. Some of the most memorable book discussions I've been a part of, however, were books I read with the first club I belonged to.

We read a lot of great books, but two really stick out in my memory. The first is Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom. We held our discussion on a dark and cold February night at a cafe. The discussion that evening became one about death, and we talked very openly and honestly about it. I will never forget my friend Nancy talking about when she was newly married, and had learned she had ovarian cancer and that she and her husband, Dave, braced themselves for the worst. She told our group that it was true that the flowers smelled sweeter, the colors in the world were brighter in those months, and that she and her husband were never closer than when she thought she was going to die. Although the discussion was heavy, we were all thankful for the opportunity to talk about the subject and thankful that Nancy shared her story with us. We mortals tend to forget that dying is a part of living.

We chose an easy book to read during a December meeting several years ago. Someone suggested we read, or re-read, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume. With the holidays upon us, it seemed feasible to quickly finish this small familiar paperback from our pre-pubescent youth. Going back and reading that book was like meeting an old childhood friend again. We laughed about the bust-enhancing exercises and could all remember distinctly the middle school health talks about menstruation and bringing home a kit with a pad the size of a brick and a sanitary belt. Judy made us all feel normal about our changing bodies. I remember longing to get my period when I was twelve; now I just long for it to end. A new book called Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume is now available with contributions from Jennifer O'Connell, Meg Cabot and Beth Kendrick to name a few. It's a great read for Judy Blume fans and a wonderful trip down memory lane.

My first book club smoked candy cigarettes when we discussed Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, we shared prom photos when we talked about The Cheerleader, and we went to see the film version of Bridget Jones's Diary in our PJs. We always had great food, great conversations and a lot of laughter. We loved discussing a wonderful book and tolerated those that were just mediocre because what we cared about the most was time with each other.


---Karen Dulak

One Book, Multiple Discussions

A book club selection doesn't have to be read and discussed at a single get-together. Longer books and those with complex subject matter can be split over two or more meetings, as Heather Johnson's group, Storie delle Sorelle, has successfully done. To read Heather's previous ReadingGroupGuides.com blog post, click here.


Are long books "outlawed" by your club? It may not be an official rule, but most clubs I know avoid books with 400+ pages. The most common reason I hear is "We just can't read any more in one month!" My reply to that is always the same: "Who says you have to finish a book each month?!"

My club's first book was John Steinbeck's East of Eden. The whole concept of a book club was new to us, and we didn't quite know how to attack this 600+ page book. So we split it up! That first summer we met every 2 weeks to discuss 150-page "bites." Each meeting began with a recap of the plot so far. Any confusing spots were cleared up before we moved on to official discussion questions. This was wildly successful for us. First, all six ladies were able to keep up with the reading schedule. Second, our meetings were relatively short (only 1½ hours at most, including dinner) --- a good thing when we met so often! And finally, no one "got lost" or quit. Many of the girls said they would never have made it through this book any other way --- and all were glad they did.

As our club developed we realized that most books don't work well when you split them up...there just isn't enough to talk about. Our rule of thumb now is to give one week of reading time for every 100 pages, usually allowing us to meet once a month.

Occasionally someone (ok, ok --- its always me!) chooses a longer-than-usual book. For example, The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. We split this 800-page book in half with two meetings. At our first meeting one gal showed up with a character list she found on the internet; she said she had a hard time keeping track of who's who and used the list frequently while reading. As we began our discussion I found that many others were struggling, too. So we stopped our discussion of the novel to review the historical setting of the story. We also discussed the author's personal beliefs and how they come through in her version of the King Arthur tale. (I'm a big fan of doing some research before a meeting --- you never know what you'll find that will enhance the discussion!) The ladies left the meeting much more confident than when they arrived, ready to continue reading. Because we spent our first meeting reviewing and clarifying the plot, our second meeting was a huge success. Without that first meeting many of the girls would have quit less than halfway through. It's no fun to continue reading if you don't understand what's going on! This way, everyone did complete the book...and boy, were those ladies proud of themselves.

A book doesn't have to be long to benefit from two meetings. What about books with difficult or extensive subject matter? My club's current book is Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible. It has a variety of themes, fascinating characters, covers a lengthy, politically turbulent time period in a country we know little about, and that's much more than we can cover in one meeting. Our first meeting was last month --- we talked for two hours straight! At the end of the meeting I passed out packets including a brief political history of the Congo and definitions of unfamiliar words. Armed with that info, we continued reading. The next meeting is just around the corner, and I'm really excited. Our discussion will cover the political situation as well as the conclusion of the story. The girls are really enjoying this book, and I know they'll have a lot to say. If we tried to cover this book in one meeting we'd have left out many of the best aspects of this novel. But by splitting it up we get to talk about everything that we feel is important.

I challenge YOU to choose an "outlawed" book for your club to read. Split it up over two or even three meetings --- whatever works for your group. You never know what literary treasure you might find or what sense of accomplishment you could feel. Go on, girl, break the rules!

---Heather Johnson

Michele Martinez: Thrilling Reads

Today's guest blogger is thriller writer Michele Martinez, who shares ideas for injecting some mystery into book clubs. Michele is a board member of the Mystery Writers of America and the author of the novels Most Wanted, The Finishing School, Cover-Up and, most recently, Notorious. She once served as a federal prosecutor in New York City, the occupation employed by Melanie Vargas, the main character in her suspense-filled stories.


Reading groups are wonderful places for authors and readers to meet. I've been lucky to have my books chosen by lots of book clubs, and even luckier to get to talk to these clubs either in person or by phone. They all tell me the same thing --- they picked my books as one of their "fun" reads and were then delighted to find them full of compelling issues to discuss.

I write a thriller series featuring a young federal prosecutor named Melanie Vargas. It's set in New York, has lots of sex and romance in it as well as gritty suspense, and has been described as Law & Order meets Sex and the City. But like many thrillers and mysteries, it's very modern and cutting-edge, and chock full of life as we live it now. My heroine faces problems many women face in their everyday lives. Office politics. A difficult boss. The difficulty of juggling work and motherhood. The heartbreak of a cheating spouse. Overcoming past traumas. Fitting into a lifestyle she didn't grow up with. Great topics for discussion go down easily when mixed in with the page-turning suspense and spine-tingling romance of a romantic thriller.

More and more, reading groups are realizing they don't have to choose "issue books" or classics for every session. Sometimes those are the right selections, but it's important to change it up sometimes and give your group a dose of fun. You can choose a book set right here in America, featuring a modern-day heroine you can identify with, that's so fun to read that you can't stop turning the pages, and still get a great discussion out of it. That kind of variety is what keeps reading exciting.

As the Mystery Writers of America give their Edgar Awards for the best of 2007 this week in New York, now is the perfect time. Pick a great mystery or thriller for your next selection and see how much fun your next meeting can be.

---Michele Martinez


Click here to see pictures of book clubs that have read Michele's thrillers.