Well, we're only a bit behind schedule repackaging our book club picks for fall. It should have said winter 2013 only. But I'm a deadline driven kind of guy, and it turns out we really, really needed the new list for our mini book club presentation before our event with Jonathan Odell, author of The Healing, just out in paperback. And that event is this Friday, November 16, so finally this moved to the top of the pile.Part of the issue is find an author event that works with this program, and we just didn't have anything just right in September and October. But Jane, Anne, and I have all been reading The Healing in the last few weeks and we all agree it's got a lot of book club potential. It's the story of a plantation mistress who loses her child, and in grief, takes a slave girl, Granada as her own. Troubled by this turn of events, the master purchases Polly Shine, a slave reputed to be a healer. But when Shine sees the gift in your Granada, a battle of wills ensues.
I always suggest that book clubs be inspired by our author events, and we certainly have groups coming out in numbers after they've read an author, and sometimes representatives will come out for an event to test the waters and see if they think the event will work. It's hard enough for authors to get through their talks without remembering that they are selling their titles to potential readers. It appears to me that some of them forget about that aspect of the program.But having heard from other folks about how strong Odell's appearances have been, I have no hesitations about recommending this event with potential club readers. Lots of great discussion here. We have another great potential book club read author coming up. Luis Alberto Urrea is appearing at Boswell on Wednesday, December 5, 7 pm for Queen of America in paperback. Urrea has appeared at area book festivals in the past, and was the lively guest on Jean Ferraca's now-retired "Here on Earth" show on Wisconsin Public Radio (and did appear at Schwartz a number of years ago). The new novel follows his real-life Aunt Teresita, who was known for creating miracles. We discussed Mr. Urrea's previous novel, Into the Beautiful North, at our in-store book club last year, and it went very well.
If you're planning your books out into 2013, I should note a few authors whose previous titles would make great book club picks--Christopher Castellani on Feburary 27, John Elder Robison on March 13, Elaine Pagels on March 20, Elinor Lipman on April 23, Michael Pollan on April 29 (this will be a ticketed event, and like all, is subject to change) and Jess Walter on May 6.You can pick up a fall 2012-winter 2013 brochure with our picks at the bookstore for handy reference, but I've listed them here too. I know hot pink isn't exactly seasonal, but a) I've seen it more as a Christmas color and b) it will certainly cool you up on cold winter nights.
American Dervish, by Ayad Akhtar
The Beauty of Humanity Movement, by Camilla Gibb
Blessed are the Dead, by Malla NunnThe Buddha in the Attic, by Julie Otsuka
Calebs Crossing, by Geraldine Brooks
Carry the One, by Carol Anshaw
The Flight of Gemma Hardy, by Margot Livesey
In the Garden of Beasts, by Erik Larson
The Language of Flowers, by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Pity the Beautiful, by Dana Gioia
Please Look after Mom, by Kyung-Sook Shin
Rules of Civility, by Amor Towles
Salvage the Bones, by Jesmyn WardSilver Sparrow, by Tayari Jones
The Sisters Brothers, by Patrick DeWitt
The Snow Child, by Eowyn Ivey
Tolstoy and the Purple Chair, by Nina Sankovitch
22 Britannia Road, by Amanda Hodgkinson
We've got at least one read, sometimes more, on each book, which is why a number of titles have either been featured in events and in-store book club meetings.And we had more ideas, but our brochure couldn't hold any more titles.
Don't forget that registered book clubs qualify for 10% off their selection, and these purchases accrue Boswell Benefits points. We have some requirements regarding member and sales minimums. You can always contact Anne for more information.
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