Last week I attended yet another fabulous book club and walked away with a few funย book club ideas you can implement in your own club.ย Seriously, one of the most enjoyable and unexpected things about being a published author is attendingย book clubs and talking about your own book. This particular book club was hosted by Jo Ann Wardein. (I think everyone in Fayetteville knows Jo Ann! She wasย one of the first people to welcome me when I moved from Dallas.)
She completely outdid herself.
It’s in the details, y’all.
Jo Ann did a fantastic job of bringing the setting alive, from the “Welcome Brother Brown” noteย on the front door and themed napkins to bouquets of cotton stalks.
And how about this creativeย string of garland showcasing Savage Crossing and the delta? Most of these pictures came straightย from my blogโplaces and things I love which happen to be included in my novelโcotton fields, grain bins, cornbread, the Mississippi River.
And the FOOD:
Jo Ann recreated food from the book, specifically the meal Anne Abbott cooked when Brother Brown came for supper. (She fancied it up with melt in your mouth sirloin.) In case you’ve forgotten the Brother Brown Comes to Supperย scene, here’s an excerpt to jog your memory:
At this Fayetteville book club weย hadย pepper steak, green beans almondine, and Pecan Delight Whipped Salad.ย Everyoneย agreed Pecan Delight Whipped Salad should make a comeback. For real, this green Jell-O salad tastedย deliciousย and shouldn’t be reserved only for funerals. (If you want to makeย the throwbackย Jell-O salad for your next soiree, here’sย Aunt Gladys’s Jell-O Salad which I think is exactly the one weย enjoyed.)
For dessert? Gracie Lee’s (& Nana’s) favorite strawberry cake. Naturally.
Make it Magical:
I can’t not show you a few pictures of Jo Ann’s outdoor space. Even though last week Fayettevilleย temperatures hungย in the sticky 90s, her resort-like garden showedย no signs of the dreaded end of summer doldrums. Next year, she shouldย be on Fayetteville’s garden tour.
Twinkle lights filled the trees making everything special and festive.
[tweetthis]How to host a @pinterest worthy #BookClub! It’s in the details y’all. #GracieLee #book #read [/tweetthis]
A heartfeltย thank you to Jo Ann and all the fabulous Fayetteville book club ladies! (I’m sure they have an official book club name, but if they do, I’ve forgotten it.) The questions and lively conversation reminded me once again why I write. What a fun thing for an author to connect with readers on such a personal level. Honestly, I’mย amazed when I see people I’ve never met holdingย copies of my book.
Is your book club reading The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee? Invite me. I might just show up.
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
P.S. Want to start your own book club? HERE are some great tips for getting yours off the ground.
Karen says
Wow, this is truly inspiring! I’ve never thought of a book club as an excuse to throw an amazing, themed party! Definitely makes me want to start my own – thanks for sharing.
Best, Karen from Life in its Natural State
Martha Orlando says
Fabulous ideas, Talya! I need to find some book clubs in my area to do some sharing of my novels, too.
Blessings!
Lyn says
You make me homesick for our years living in the South–Texas, Georgia, and North Carolina. The problem of living many places is that you love and miss them all! Jo Ann sounds like a wonderful friend to have and a marvelous hostess.
Dorothy Johnson says
I want a book club! Love the way she set things up for the discussion of your book. Impressive garden.
Jo Ann Wardein says
To all you readers: Talya was actually the main star and attraction of our book club! Her book is fun, and she was, too!