January 2026 Bookclub News

Virginia's Northern Neck 

 

Dear Booklcub,

Driving with the upmost care while listening to Bruce Holsinger's "Culpability", the concept of cars unexpectedly crossing lanes or the median kept me on alert. With or without technology, a fragile combination of seemingly random events can shape existence. Throw in the distraction of a phone mounted before me, the story being read to me or my wandering mind- it's a miracle the day is survived and the destination arrived.

Surviving and arriving at Kate's was excellent! Move over thoughts about unpredictability, fault, responsibility, blame, chat bots and AI - Kate indulged us with a wholesome supper to take away anxiety. 

 

  
 

Holsinger's tale shook out the obvious conversations he slung at bookclub readers. We enjoyed the game yet felt a bit played as he included predictable twists, page-turning distractions and yet left us head-scratching over plot gaps. We had trouble grasping the opening accident scenario; I, for one, thought it would be clearly described later in the book, but it was not. Holsinger succeeded in his quest to entertain and provoke. Kate, thankfully, provided bookclub questions to keep us on track.

Being a coveted Oprah selection, the author smoothly courted the masses as seen in this video of the interview and discussion:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WxdNMusE5Q

 

 

 

 

Bruce's alter ego is scholarly. His 2023 Yale University Press "On Parchment": Animals, Archive, and the Making of Culture form Herodotus to the Digital Age" publication, presents the Linden Kent Memorial Professor at the University of Virginia in a different light: https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300260212/on-parchment/  

 

Please enjoy his 2014 piece on writers of historical fiction in "Humanities", The Magazine for the National Endowment for the Humanities. (—Detail from a portrait of Anne Boleyn (1504–36) c. 1533 (oil on canvas), English School, (16th century) / Loseley Park, Guildford, Surrey, UK / Photo © Mark Fiennes / Bridgeman Images)  Note the play between plausibility and invention while reflecting on our own experience while reading our recent selection!

https://www.neh.gov/humanities/2014/novemberdecember/feature/scholar-stretches-truth-english-professor-bruce-holsinger-w 

Deborah McNamara

 

Finally, I wonder, what is your p(doom)? A term Holsinger refers to in his Oprah discussion, p(doom) is the probability of existentially catastrophic outcomes as a result of artificial intelligence.  From the ABC (Australian) website is a great article (artwork above), "AI's Dark In-joke": https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-07-15/whats-your-pdoom-ai-researchers-worry-catastrophe/102591340 .  If your head is not spinning or your heart sinking, please check out the chart of notable p(doom) values on this Wikipedia page:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P(doom) 

Kate's suggestions for an upcoming read:

"The Briar Club" Kate Quinn *chosen

"My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry" Fredrick Bachman

"All the Broken Places" John Boyne 

 

Up next:

 

 

Happy reading,

LK 

December 2025 Bookclub News

 

Dear Bookclub,

Our holiday bookclub luncheon at Vintana's celebrating A Novel Group's 35 years, cheerfully reminded us why we enjoy being together! Gathered at a festive round table, prosecco fairies (Kate & Diane) generously filled our glasses with bubbly to honor the occasion. We went around the table, sharing reminisces of our many years together, trips taken, notable books, clever meals, and momentous discussions. The variety of memories impressed even us! Grasping for names of members from decades ago was an unexpected party game. 

 

 

Mention of Lily King's "Five Tuesdays in Winter" revolved around the highly misplaced nod to Christmas. Thinking the suggestion came from a search on literary holiday reads, leading to the appreciation of Lily King and diverting from any Christmas connection (see above). The short stories are memorable and extraordinarily crafted but did not spread any holiday cheer.

Unfortunately, we did not get Martha or Jan in this snap taken by the hostess as we exited, as they had already departed, but we were a mighty 9!

 

 

Finally, fortunate to lead this amazing group of women for all these years, I was touched by the gratitude shown in the perfect card and gift presented to me. As a sloth wordsmith reduced to simple jots when asked to sign a card, I am impressed by the meaningful messages penned on my card - each one touching. You could have stopped there! But The Author Clock amazes me every seven minutes. If ever there was a tower of whipped cream and cherries on a scoop of the finest ice cream, this clock for me is it. Let me try to explain. More than a beautiful desk clock, this marvelous screen displays the exact time above a quote that cleverly includes a relevant reference to the time. For instance:

 

I rarely recognize a quote and in the beginning, I was looking up the titles and authors. Some are plays; most are books that I have never heard of. So many books! The Author Clock connects to the internet for updated information - seems infinite. Also, the frequency can be controlled as in every minute up to once an hour.  I set mine for seven minutes.  I love it! Thank you so much :) 

Up next:

 Happy reading,

LK