February 2022 Bookclub News

 

 

 

Dear Bookclub,

How lucky was the little clan of book-clubbers to discover Kim's interpretation of  Amor Towles' "The Lincoln Highway". A most inviting setting with glorious wine and gourmet comfort food, we gathered in the kitchen to keep Kim company while she put the finishing touches on the meal we were to be treated to. Duchess could not have had better.

From the author's website; not as elegant as Kim's

 

Fully engrossed in consuming Kim's Fettucine Mio Amore, I neglected to take any pictures of her perfect presentation, plated on charming china with gleaming red chargers atop linen Valentine-heart-cut placemats. Please enjoy:

https://www.bookclubcookbook.com/amor-towles-fettucine-mio-amore/
 

The saga, rich in characters, gave us much to discuss. An impressive detour of our lively catching up, we readily delved into talking about the "The Lincoln Highway", paved with layers and layers of analyzing motivations and personalities. Kim's prepared questions prompted further pondering and we shared discovered plot-endearments, ultimately leaving us in appreciation of Towles' tale-telling style.

Two interviews with Towles will deepen your appreciation; the first a short from NPR's 'Book of the Day':

https://www.npr.org/2021/10/13/1045800389/amor-towles-the-lincoln-highway-interview

 ..and the second a longer, more in-depth YouTube interview from Minnesota Public Radio with Kerri Miller. Play this nearby while you make your fettucine mio amore. Check out the many interesting snippets like his admission that he must have mother issues, as Kerri points out he removes parents from his novels, keeping that foxhole clear:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-WrAszGhsg

We adored Billy's beloved book but unfortunately, Professor Abernathe's compendioum is a fictional work created by Amor Towles. However, here is a 10-title Intrepid curation of books to read while on the road:

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/10-books-to-read-while-travelling/

Kim's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"Lilac Girls" Martha Hall Kelly *chosen

"A Place For Us" Fatima Farheen Mirza

"The Forest Of Vanishing Stars" Kristin Harmel

Up next:

Happy reading,

LK

January 2022 Bookclub News

 

Emily's House

Dear Bookclub,

Touted as the 'Original Queen of Social Distancing’, Emily Dickinson has been a figure resonating with our pandemic isolation.  The Homestead and The Evergreens comprise the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst, MA and in a different time, a perfect place for us to convene as a bookclub. Alas, we remained mired in the Omicron wave and met virtually. Being on Zoom in lieu of sitting together in a cozy living room, is as ugly as a thumb**. Or a blind cobbler's thumb.***

The Evergreens

https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/

Amy Belding Brown brought to life an understanding of the reclusive poet through the story of her maid, Margaret Maher. Enjoying the well-constructed piece of historic fiction, we appreciated Brown's skillful language, immersing our imaginations with dialect and colorful characters. Admittedly familiar with Emily Dickinson as a 'character' more than her work, we discussed the publication journey, seemingly so integral in any pondering about the author. Please enjoy the following poem and revelations about "The Publication Question":

https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/emily-dickinson/poetry/the-poet-at-work/the-publication-question/

 

 Finally, if you want another adventure into the life of an author through a well-researched and properly seasoned historic novel, please check out Amy Belding Brown's "Mr. Emerson's Wife". Click about on Brown's nice website and charming blog:

Amy Belding Brown

 https://amybeldingbrown.net/

https://amybeldingbrownauthor.wordpress.com/2017/06/05/dickinsons-letter-to-the-world/ 

 

Kate's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"Miss Benson's Beetle" Rachel Joyce

"All In" Billie Jean King *chosen

"Anxious People" Fredrik Backman

Up next:

Happy reading,

LK

** Denny's Irish grandmother's phrase

*** google of Irish slang