As a child I frequently got in trouble for losing myself in the throes of a good book and forgetting (or ignoring) my chores. As an adult, I have no regrets about that. However, as time has passed, the seemingly unending amounts of time I dedicated to reading has dwindled to a few pages here and there of the novel beside my bed, or the drudgery of a college textbook.
My reading habits revived a little during my literature classes. The opportunity to sit with my peers and listen to their perspectives on the assigned text was an enriching experience. Perhaps you, like myself, have wondered how to keep these literary discussions alive postgraduation. Or perhaps you simply want to force yourself to make time to read. Whatever the reason, we have something for you.
Here at Bookish, our goal is to make organizing a literary club as easy as possible. In the pages of this issue, you will find this month’s top picks to add to your book club, along with discussion questions to spark creative conversations. Read a Q &A with a man who used literature to overcome tragedy, and explore why adults should still be reading children’s literature. We’ve also hit the kitchen to bring you some easy and affordable finger foods, because what is a book club without snacks?
May you have peaceful moments to delve into the world of literature, dear readers. We hope you find helpful advice and intriguing concepts in the following pages.
Alana Crosby Alana Crosby, Editor-in-Chief
“That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings are universal longings, that you’re not lonely and isolated
anyone.
F. Scott Fitzgerald
So, you want to start a book club, or perhaps you already have and you want to make is better. Here are the things you need to think about if you are starting from scratch, and a few things you should consider improving if you already have a book club established. Book clubs can seem like a lot of work—they are. But they are so worth it. Here are our recommendations for beginners.
FIGURE OUT THE LOGISTICS . When, where, who, what…will you meet weekly? Monthly? How many people are you going to invite and where will you meet? We recommend a maximum of five people. It’s not a party, it’s a literary discussion. Unless you want it to be a party, that’s fine too.
FIGURE OUT HOW YOU WILL CHOOSE BOOKS.
This may be more complicated than you think. Are you going to accept suggestions from everyone or are you going to follow a celebrity list? A couple of our favorite methods are to have the group members write suggestions on paper and draw them out of a hat, that way everyone gets to read something they were interested in. Another option is to follow a celebrity list, which is a great way to broaden your reading preferences.
THINK ABOUT HOW YOU WILL ACCESS BOOKS.
You can make everyone buy their own, which is easy enough for older books and classics which can be found inexpensively online or in used bookstores, or you can explore book club kits. These handy services provide a number of copies for a period of time. After you are done with them, simply send them back and order the next book.
COMMUNICATION. Group chats, people. Make sure you have everyone on the same page. An easy way to do this is to create a group chat on whatever platform you’d like.
DEFINE THE PURPOSE OF YOUR BOOK CLUB.
Draft a mission statement, it doesn’t have to be long or spectacular, but it will help you stay on track. Is your club going to be social or academic?
GIVE THE BOOK CLUB STRUCTURE. Have a plan. It’s okay to deviate from it, but it will make everything run smoother if there is a set order of action.
IS THERE GOING TO BE FOOD?
And if so, who is bringing and paying for it? Food is great. But you have to be sure everyone is accommodated for. Make sure you are aware of people’s allergies and dietary needs before you start shopping.
AVOID
If you feel like your book club is in danger of fizzling out, try mixing it up. Instead of meeting at someone’s house you can reserve a table at a restaurant or go to a park. Instead of members bringing their signature dishes (again) you can have themed food or costumes. Keep in mind that it’s okay to ease up on the academia and have some fun.
I know, I know, heresy. Be open to breaking things up with magazine articles, short stories and poetry. You might even incorporate a movie night here and there.
As the leader of the club, you are responsible for keeping a discussion going. Thankfully, you have this handy, dandy magazine full of helpful information. Check out our list of discussion questions.
AS WE GET OLDER AND EMBRACE ADULTHOD AND ALL OF ITS RESPONSIBILITY, IT IS EASY TO FORGET THE TRUE SIMPLICITY OF LIFE, THE THINGS THAT UNITE HUMANITY. CHILDREN’S LITERATURE IS A REMINDER OF THAT UNIQUE HUMANNESS THAT CONNECTS US.
By: Alana Crosby
“I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living my baby you’ll be.” Robert Munsch’s classic Love You Forever was a staple in my home. My brother and I can recite pages of it to this day. The familiar, melodic lines of children’s literature stay with us throughout our lives, bedtime stories that linger across generations. But it’s merely children’s literature, right? Meant for a simpler time in our lives when our expanding brains could take hold of these concepts and grow. The “simple” concepts common in children’s literature, however, are not insignificant. They continue to be monumental in leading healthy adult lives. Children’s literature impacts us throughout early developmental stages and continues to be beneficial in adulthood.
The characteristics that make children’s literature good tend to revolve around tools which help children cope with emotions, function in society, and provide emotional support during problematic circumstances in life. These themes never go out of style. Teaching children to be kind, to forgive, and to know that they are loved are essential to early childhood development. But when does that education stop? Well, it shouldn’t. This is one reason why adults should continue to explore children’s literature. So often in the adult world we overcomplicate things. There are so many grey areas. Often, I find myself disappointed in a new TV series or movie, because concepts of right and wrong are caught up in a web of circumstantial moral
“
Let yourself be reminded to be kind, to look at others with less judgement and more sympathy.Illustrations by Alana Crosby
dilemmas. And while I can’t deny that those dilemmas exist, doing what is right is often clearer than we want to admit. Children’s literature takes us back to the basic principles that may have been lost in the jumble of messy societal complications.
Through this simpler outlook on life, adults can experience joy and wonder through a child’s perspective. The world is a jaded place. Opening the pages of A.A. Milne’s House at Pooh Corner is not only a relief, but a reprieve from the dark, realistic literature that often graces our shelves. Look at the world like it’s new again. Let yourself be reminded to be kind, to look at others with less judgement and more sympathy.
Another benefit of reading children’s literature as adults is the opportunity to understand children better. Authors are known for their keen insights into humanity and its motivations, responses, and relations. Kate Wilson and Anne Ridler, in their article “Children and Literature” write that children and adults misunderstand each other, especially in times of crises. They do not share common ground for communication due to the vast psychological differences that come with the age gap. This is why, according to Wilson and Ridler, reading fiction and children’s literature “awaken our own recollections of what it felt like to be a child” and help us to relate to and understand children more. The argument of fiction’s power to expand minds and help readers become more understanding is not a new one. How-
ever, it is rarely applied to children’s literature for an adult audience. Wilson and Ridler point out that a common theme in children’s literature is their inability to communicate fear, their sense of hopelessness and confusion in the external world, and their perception of aloneness—devoid of adult intervention. This insight can shed light on children’s behavior, but also help grasp some of the lingering fears adults have. It opens the gate to exploration of childhood fears and puts into perspective that we are not alone.
Robert Munsch came up with the classic “love you forever” lyrics for his bestselling children’s book after his wife gave birth to two stillborn babies. The words ran through his mind almost constantly after their death, often bringing tears to his eyes, until one day he decided to create a story with the words—for his babies. After publication, however, Munsch’s publisher informed him that books were flying off the shelf, but not for children. The main consumer of the book was retirement communities. Parents buying for grandparents and grandparents buying for their adult children. The language, although simple, profoundly portrays what is often felt but unspoken. It is an apology, a belated “I love you,” a relatable story that reminds us to understand mistakes and appreciate family.
Okay, so you want to start a book club. Great! But with whom? Chances are you may be an introvert (that’s just a wild guess), or you may not know people who like your preferred genre of literature. Don’t worry—we’re here to help. It can be difficult to find people who have the same interests as you, but we have some tips to get you started. You will probably be surprised at the number of people you find who want to be part of a book club.
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1
Keep an open mind. First and foremost, make sure you are being inclusive. Don’t just assume people won’t be interested in your literary venture because of your own judgments. Even those who may seem like an unlikely fit can offer insight to your reading group. They may be just what you need to expand your reading horizons and try a new genre, or look at literature from a new perspective.
2
Check out the library. A place of fond memories for all book lovers, the library will be a fantastic resource during every step of your book club journey. Speak to the librarians about advertising ideas, make posters, and see what happens.
3
Advertise. But be clear about what you are offering. Make a plan for where to meet, if and when there will be food, and what time the club will meet. Utilize social media and free design websites like Canva.
4
Local colleges and universities. Literature is a great unifier. Even if the age range is wide, there will still be room for healthy, respectful discussion. A drastic range in ages can also provide an opportunity to learn and understand new perspectives.
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Local assisted living facilities. This option can also fall under volunteering. Many assisted living centers look for people who can run programs for the residents. This requires a little more planning and making accommodations, but you will be richly rewarded with friendships and enlightening conversations.
5
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Joseph Luzzi is the Asher B. Edelman Professor of Literature at Bard College and an award-winning writer, teacher, and scholar of Italian culture. He is the author of five books and lives in New York’s HudsonValley.
In an interview with Bookish, Luzzi sat down with us and shared some of his experience as a book lover, a victim of great tragedy, and a father. Below you will find a look into Luzzi’s thoughtful exploration of life and literature.
B: Did your parents encourage you get into literature, or did that come of your own volition?
JL: “I actually grew up in a house with no books. My family were immigrants, very smart, hardworking people, Italian immigrants. And yet, you know, they didn’t really
have education above a grade school education. I would be sitting reading and my mom would come up behind me and say in her Calabrian dialect ‘that book is gonna give you a headache.’ I listened to my parents in almost everything, except really for that.”
B: How has literature impacted you personally and is there a specific book that has encouraged you?
JL: “Something happened exactly 12 years ago, in November 2007, that changed everything for me. My wife, Catherine, at the time, had just had a fatal car accident. I had left the house that morning at 8:30. By noon, I was a widower, but also something else. Catherine was eight and a half months pregnant. And she delivered the child, and the baby was healthy, and made it 45 minutes before she died. As part of the road back, I turned to something that had really been part of my professional life. I turned to a book that I had spent years studying—Dante’s Divine Comedy. I felt that I was in the dark wood. Dante’s dark wood. This book resonated with me this universal space of human suffering. And what did Dante teach me? I used to think it was what lands you in the dark wood is what defines you. But in truth, I came to see that it’s what you do to get out of the dark wood that defines you.”
B: How do you teach your students the power of literature?
JL: “I tell my students literature is the opposite of fake news. Fake News pretends it’s true and tries to manipulate you into believing it. Literature is imaginative, tells you that it is, and then leads you to the truth in this way.”
B: What is the most moving element of literature in your experience?
JL: “Literature teaches you to ask the right questions. It won’t provide all the answers, and books that do provide all the answers aren’t being honest. Because there’s some things that there’s no answer. There is no rulebook for getting over the death of a spouse or raising a child on your own.”
wasn’t alone. Other people had been through it. And I found that universal connection in literature.”
B: It has been said that stories are the glue that binds humanity together. What are your thoughts on that?
JL: “Our ability to tell stories brings people together through narrative, the power of narrative. We are a storytelling species. I think is just as important as an opposable thumb. It’s what’s made us what we are.”
B: What is it about literature that is so comforting?
JL: “It’s that product ritual of reading—something happens when we read. It’s just symbolic notations on a page, but I always tell my students, you’re the co-author. You bring the book to life. Each writer needs a reader. Reading is that ritual where something profound happens. It can literally change your life through the power of stories.”
B: How do you incorporate literature into your life?
B: You writing in your book that “literature is fact.” Can you explain that?
JL: “I tell my students literature is the opposite of fake news. Fake News pretends it’s true and tries to manipulate you into believing it. Literature is imaginative tells you that it is and then leads you to the truth in this way.”
B: How do you think literature connects people?
“After the death of my wife I needed to know that I
JL: “I’ve created what I call the rule of fours. Okay. Four days a week, 45 minutes a day. Four different books. One, your favorite kind of book. Your second category is contemporary writers. Where is fiction changing the conversation? The third group is nonfiction. It doesn’t have to be make-believe to be literature in the fourth school. Let one of those categories be a classic. That mix of four will bring you the greatest glories of reading, and it will bring you to what my favorite writer, Dante, called ‘that thing that connects all readers, long, steady, and great love.’”
“Literature teaches you to ask the right questions.”Photo by Alana Crosby
FOOD BRINGS US TOGETHER. FROM THE KITCHEN OF BOOKISH, WE PRESENT TO YOU OUR TRIED AND TRUE CROWD PLEASERS. THEY ARE EVER SO EASY TO THROW TOGETHER, WITH OPTIONS FOR SEVERAL DIETARY RESTRICTIONS.
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup 2% milk
1/4 cup butter, melted 1 large egg, room temperature, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
topping:
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup butter, melted
Directions
1. In a bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients. Add the milk, butter, egg and vanilla. Beat for 2 minutes or until well blended.
2. Pour into a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with blueberries. In a bowl, combine sugar and flour; add butter. Toss with a fork until crumbly; sprinkle over blueberries. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes or until lightly browned.
1 - 1 ½ pounds
Baby Dutch Yellow potatoes (about 20 [2-inch] potatoes)
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 cup)
½ cup sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Place potatoes in a large bowl, and drizzle with olive oil; toss to coat. Arrange potatoes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in preheated oven until tender, 17 to 20 minutes.
2. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise, and scoop out potato flesh.
3. Increase oven temperature to 450°F. Place potato skins, hollowed side down, on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake at 450°F for 10 minutes; flip potatoes over, and bake until crispy
4. Fill potato skins evenly with Cheddar cheese. Bake at 450°F until cheese melts, top with remaining ingredients.
¾ cup ripe black olives, pitted*
¾ cup Kalamata olives, pitted 1 tablespoon capers, drained
½ teaspoon anchovy paste (optional for vegan**)
1 garlic clove, peeled and sliced into a few pieces
1 small handful fresh parsley (or fresh basil or thyme)
¼ cup olive oil
Directions
1. Place the olives, capers, anchovy paste, garlic, and parsley in a food processor. Pulse until roughly chopped. Scrape down the bowl. Then turn on the processor and drizzle in the olive oil until a chunky paste forms.
2. Eat immediately or store up to 2 weeks refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before serving.
1 pt. grape tomatoes, halved
10 to 14 fresh small mozzarella cheese balls, cut into thirds* 32 (4-inch) wooden skewers**
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper 6 thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
Kosher salt and pepper to taste
Directions
1. Thread 1 tomato half, 1 piece of cheese, and another tomato half onto each skewer. Place skewers in a shallow serving dish.
2. Whisk together oil and next 3 ingredients. Drizzle oil mixture over skewers; sprinkle with basil and salt and pepper to taste.
3. *1 (8-oz.) package fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch cubes, may be substituted.
- A.A. MILNE
Blueberry KuchenOlive Tepanade Mini Caprese Bites
