Italy Silk Tie
Book clubs should be special forums for collaboration, learning, mental stimulation and, why not, laughter. Adding a little zing to your meeting format can spice up those qualities even more. Here are three suggestions:
Food Fest. If your book group meets at someone's home during a food time to discuss your book selection, the meeting hostess must present food that is relevant to that book. If, on the other hand, the food duties are shared by all members, the club members would each bring food related to the book's content.
Here's an example. Let's suppose your group reads a particular genre and that genre is Best-selling Novels. Let's suppose your book is Dan Brown's novel, The Lost Symbol. The food possibilities are outstanding! To follow a theme in Brown's book, you could bring food that is ancient. How about Kimchi, an ancient Korean tradition of preparing cabbage by fermenting it in the ground?
Not convinced to bring pickled food for Dan Brown's novel discussion? Another focus of his book is on knowledge that is secret. You could bring a dish that is a secret family recipe. Or a dish of "mystery meat" (something I had to eat in college). Another suggestion is that there is a strong reference to "fingers" in Brown's novel (you'll have to read the book), which could lend itself to chicken fingers. Or finger food.
Since there are historical references to Scotland, a piping hot pot of Scotch Broth would be appropriate accompanied by Scotch Shortbread for dessert.
Are you seeing the possibilities of incorporating Food Fest into your book club discussions?
Location Location Location. Instead of, or in addition to, the Food Fest format, your club could bring food (notice my theme?) that is reflective of the author's geographical places of birth, childhood, famous years or final rest. Here's one example. If your club is focused on reading books that are spiritual in nature, Elizabeth Gilbert may be an author on your list (Eat, Pray, Love and Committed). She grew up in New York and there is some mighty good food in the Big Apple. Hot steaming pastrami and slaw on rye that takes two hands to eat comes to my mind.
Because her journalism has required her to travel extensively, your possibilities are grand. She ate her way through Italy. I can just smell the wafting aromas from risotto ai funghi, prosciutto and hard-boiled egg pizza, octopus salad and splashes of Chianti. I gained a lot of weight while reading her book!
If that doesn't give you enough ideas, think about the man she met in her travels who ultimately became her husband. He is Brazilian by birth (Acai anyone?) but she met him while in Indonesia. Lots of food for thought there.
Casting Calls. If the books you read are rich with characters, this offers opportunities to liven up your book club discussions, promote learning and leave lasting impressions. It will also let you laugh a lot.
To add spice to your book club discussions you can incorporate Casting Calls. Each book club member would come to the meeting dressed as a character of the book. If you are reading biographies, and your latest selection is Open by Andre Agassi, you could wear tennis shorts and bring a racket. Or you may wish to wear shoes that make you tall, don a long wig, increase your eyelashes and come as Brooke Shields.
Think of the cast of characters in Going Rogue by Sarah Palin! How fun it would be to come dressed in a famous Palin campaign suit, complete with stacked heels. Cindy McCain wore some unusual and inspiring outfits during Palin's campaign. That might inspire you. I don't know what hockey moms wear but a little bit of research could enlighten you about the right attire. If you select Eli Johnston to portray, you wouldn't have to worry about a costume.
Let your book club experience take on new meaning for your group. Add some unpredictability to your book club discussions and your group will be educated in so many more ways.
Darcie S. Davis is an author, passionate reader, book club member and innovative marketer. To read more about what book clubs are doing all across the U.S., go to http://StartingBookClubs.com.
What Is On YouTube Today?
Italian Suits Direct Commercial
Here Are Some Items From Amazon You Might Like.
 Berioni Hand Made in Italy 100% Woven Silk Mens Neck Tie + Pocket Square Jacquard Woven Tie and Hanky Set Red White X2  |
 Blueviolet Striped Tie for Men White Stripes Discount Gifts Handmade Silk Neck Ties Cufflinks Set 6527 List Price: Sale Price: $14.95 You save: $7.90 (35%)  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours |
Items recently purchased on this site:
Thanks for visiting!
