Book clubs are increasingly popular, whether sponsored by libraries, civic groups, neighborhood associations, or just good friends. If you belong to a book club or are thinking about starting one, I highly recommend Diana Loevy's The Book Club Companion. (www.dianaloevy.com)
Diana organizes her guide into easily referenced chapters: The Beloveds; Book Club Classics; Classic Fiction; Brit Lit 101; Red, White and Noir; Literary Respites; Black Lit 101; Nonfiction that Reads Like Fiction; and Memoir. Learn how to enhance a meeting with a thematic cocktail or hors d'oeuvre, how to organize a classic fiction party or a summer book celebration. Clubs are encouraged to explore literary destinations, visit restaurants that serve cuisine related to the book selection, and delight members with small gifts or special recipes. The Doubleday Book of the Month Club and the Literary Guild both selected The Book Club Companion as one of their choices for members.
If you'd like to have me visit your book club to talk about Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee, here's an idea. Why don't we visit by phone? Imagine you and your book club near a speaker phone and me here in my study talking about how I researched my book, the problems I ran into, and some of the most interesting things I uncovered about To Kill a Mockingbird. You can ask all the questions you want to. It's a shame I can't be there to enjoy the snacks, but maybe you could send me the best recipe!
If you'd like to arrange for me to visit your book club for a live chat, please email me at cjs1994@earthlink.net. I look forward to hearing from you.
