A recent article in The New York Times estimated that more than 5.7 million people in the U.S. are active members of book clubs. While the focus of these groups is to share thoughts on a chosen literary selection, the reality is that they often evolve into informal dinner parties with a “bookish discussion,” and that is all part of the fun.
For anyone involved in the planning of a book group meeting, the two main items to consider are the book to be read and discussed and a menu for those in attendance. Well Read, Well Fed (978‐1‐4162‐4564‐3; $15.95), a new title from Sellers Publishing, offers suggested pairings for both, covering an entire year’s worth of meetings, with both the menus and suggested book titles matched with the appropriate season.
The more than 150 books suggested as monthly selections cover a wide range of genres, from fiction and short story collections, to plays, essays and poetry. All the titles are annotated and organized into themes, and were selected by the author, Marcia Brown, who says they “offer the delights of fine literature—sublime writing, a seductive narrative, or wit and wisdom passed down through the ages. These pleasures are good to share among friends.”
The twelve main dishes presented in the book are intended to be healthful and simple to prepare, and can be made a day ahead or in some cases, further in advance and frozen. “My book clubs have all had at least one vegetarian member and these days, it seems we are all questioning the right amount, if any, of meat we should consume. And because these are light meals before a largely sedentary evening, the menus do not include red meat and are vegetable or seafood‐based. You can always add or substitute meats or poultry if your group prefers,” said Brown.
Well Read, Well Fed is a 5.5″ x 7.75″, 160‐page, hardcover book that will be published in September, 2015, and will retail for $15.95. It will be available in bookstores and gift shops nationwide and through Sellers Publishing’s Web‐site, www.sellerspublishing.com.
Marcia F. Brown is the author of four poetry collections, including When We Invented Water (Moon Pie Press 2014) and What On Earth (Moon Pie Press 2010). As Poet Laureate for the City of Portland, Maine (2013‐2015) she edited the anthology, Port City Poems, Contemporary Poets Celebrate Portland, Maine (Maine Poetry Central 2013) which was a finalist for the 2014 Maine Literary Awards, and launched the Words Matter Visiting Poets Series presenting acclaimed poet Tony Hoagland at Portland’s Hannaford Hall in April 2015. Her work is widely published in literary journals and anthologies, including Garrison Keillor’s Good Poems, American Places (Penguin Books 2011). Her book of essays and food writing, Well Read, Well Fed ~ A Year of Great Reads and Simple Dishes for Book Groups will be published in Fall 2015. She resides in Cape Elizabeth, ME with her husband.
Sellers Publishing, Inc. is an award‐winning publisher of books, calendars, greeting cards and journals. The company was cited for four consecutive years by Publishers Weekly for being among the fastest growing independent publishers in the country. It is located in South Portland, Maine and can be contacted at 800‐625‐3386 or by visiting their Web site at www.sellerspublishing.com.
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