Book clubs rock and I want to belong to one...
Monday, March 9, 2009
Hello fireflies and friends---
Okay, ladies, check this out and get out your pens and paper. This is the Firefly cocktail, brought to us by a book club that really knows how to have fun. The glow stick as an especially cool touch, don't you think? I should have written down the recipe---it could be the website's official drink. Unfortunately, as you know, I have limited organizational skills.
I have been talking to a large number of book groups lately, and I have to say, like blogging, it turns out to be surprisingly fun. I belonged to a book club once, for a few months, and no one really read the book. We got together for lots of great appetizers and we had fun gossiping, but there wasn't much book discussion. I wish I'd belonged to one of the groups that call me. These ladies are Smart, and Fun, and Opinionated. Some of them even dare to tell me what they didn't like about my work, and I think that kind of honesty rocks. I mean, really, very few books are perfect. Even when we love something, we wonder about something or are bothered by something. I love it when people feel confident enough to say which books of mine they liked, and which ones they didn't. And if I'm lucky, they loved one or two.
Here are a couple of the book groups I've spoken to lately.
Can't you tell how much fun we had? I've encouraged both groups to enter the Hallmark.com sweepstakes so that maybe I'll have chance to visit one of these groups in person. Honestly, women who gather to talk about books rock. One of these groups even matches cocktails and appetizers to the book. How cool is that?
Hence the firefly cocktail, of course. I recommend they read Shadow of the Wind and drink Sangria and eat tapas.
Is Sangria Spanish or Mexican? Does anyone know? And while I'm asking, does anyone have any other great book/drink/food recommendations? Maybe I'll start a book club of my own... We'll start with the book, Molokai, drink pina coladas, and eat pu pus. Anything but poi...
Check out those firefly cocktails below...
And these are the LitWits. One of my favorite book clubs of all time. They were a real hoot. TOTALLY fun to chat with...
Wait a sec. All of this makes me think. I don't have to join a book club that actually meets every month. WE can be a book club, those of us who follow this blog.
So go ahead. The obvious starting point is Firefly Lane. Ask me questions and I'll answer, or make any comments that come to mind. I'll answer any questions about the book or my process or why I made certain choices...
Well, now I'm off to the television. It's Tuesday night, which means American Idol. If a man doesn't win this year, I'll be amazed. Adam, Scott, and Danny are amazing.
Keep in touch--
aloha,
Kristin
29 Comments:
I belong to a bookclub, but I'll admit that we mostly use it as an excuse to go out to eat. We do read the book (though I'll also admit to reading mine the night before). Upon Susan Elizabeth Phillips's recommendation, this month our choice is American Wife. It'll also be interesting because this is our first repeat author.
I'll have to re-familiarize myself with Firefly Lane to think of a question. I think I may have one, but I need to think of how to phrase it. I can't wait to hear what everyone else has to say. I can tell you a friend of mine read this book as one of her first Kristin Hannah books (I knew I'd wear her down eventually). She passed it onto her mother and passed True Colors onto her sister.
Courtesy of Kurstin B. here is the recipe for that yummy drink!!
Firefly Cocktail:
1 - 2 ounces of Vodka
4-6 ounces of Grapefruit Juice
Dash of Grenadine
Pour all the above in a shaker with ice and shake for a second and pour into a glass with ice or a cold glass!
If any Fireflies try this drink before me, it is your solemn duty to report back! LOL
Kim
Sounds yummy. I'm not a huge grapefruit fan. I'd tend to make mine more of the cosmo variety (vodka with cranberry juice, cointreau and lime), but that does look yummy. I even have a glow-in-the-dark thingy from some bar promotion in the way back of the freezer.
Kristin,
I think it's so great that you don't mind some criticism. Fans that only ooh and ga annoy me. I would think as a writer (as w/any profession) you would want constructive criticism to grow.
And on the topic of Sangrias...funny...it's going to be our signature cocktail at the wedding. =D Ties into the whole grape/wine theme.
I will definitely share a inspiration board when I have one. But in short, the colors are red, a lime/celadon/sage green (light almost like a green grape color?). Outdoor ceremony & Reception at a vineyard. I'm looking for a mermaid style strapless (preferably with lace covering the shoulder running over the shoulder down by back in a V :P )with only a sweep of train and a red sash. Bridesmaids will be red strapless knee length cocktail dresses w/a green sash. Guys will just be simple black suits (so that they can rewear them, every man should have a black suit!). The Fiance will have a red tie to match my red sash. Groomsmen will have a green tie (same shade as bridesmaid's sash). Flower girls will have white dress with red sash and ringbearers I'm looking for one of those cute "short suits" and again red ties to match the Fiance and I.
We're going to DIY bouqets, centerpieces, invites, save-the-dates, wedding programs and that's it for now. Flowers are going to be gerber daisies and/or hydrangeas. Because they're relatively cheap and will be in season (August). Centerpieces will be rectangular glass vases (6w X 4d X 8H) with these cool cube led lites at the bottom (in lieu of candles), green grapes as fillers (in lieu of those glass thingies, at least we can eat the grapes afterwards!), and then just a bunch of our wedding flowers.
Sparkling lights around the tents, paper lanterns (if in budget), little straw fans with wedding programs attached for guests during the ceremony.
OMG..super long post, I"ll stop here. But you asked! =D
Sangria is a traditional wine punch of Spain and Portugal!
Sounds like you've been having great fun.
Hey my name is Nathalie Mena I'm a high school student in New Jersey, and I am doing a research paper on you, As soon as I picked up the firefly lane book it just caught my eye. However all your information is fascinating, but in able to keep doing a research paper on you more information would be needed; and I would really like to know more about you. I would really appreciate it if you can give me a hand, well thanks a lot.
Wendy - your choices sound yummy! I love the red and green grape color combination. I bet it will be beautiful!
Kristin - thank you ever so much for the Harlan Coben, Tell No One, suggestion for starters. I started it last night and had to force myself to put it down and go to sleep. Lovin' it !!
And, I also want to say that I agree with you and Wendy about how healthy honest, constructive criticism is. And, as soon as I read a book of yours that I dislike, I will tell you. Don't hold your breath. Maybe if I ever find some of your early, first books at HPB. Maybe, just maybe, I can find something I don't like about them. But, the talent you are sporting now - - - fat chance! Keep it up. I love it!
I like your idea of an online firefly book club. I want to be in that club! I don't have many questions for you that you haven't already answered, or that can't be found on the site. The things I wonder are things like, how and where you do and Kim work? Do you have an office? Do you write out of your home? Does Kim key everything out of hers? Do you hand her stacks of legal pads and she gets going? I think I remember you saying you hand write your stories. Or, did I dream that? I guess the EA in me is interested in how it goes from the tip of your pen, to an electronic document ready for editing.
I'll think of others .... tata!
Lisa
Sangria is Spanish.....the official beverage of all our family gatherings since both my grandparents were born in Spain.
I first read Kristin way back when a book I grabbed in an airport gift shop to entertain me on a cross country flight never left my mind. It was Once In Every Life and Amaryllis/Tess stayed with me for years.
I just read True Colors--a birthday gift from my darling husband--and stayed up til 2 in the morning because I couldn't put it down. I cried at the end, though not nearly as much as my all out sobbing out loud during the last couple chapters of MAgic Hour.
Hi Guys!
Ok so today was my takeoff to Houston! Picture this if you will: me holding my "really good guy friend's" hand really tightly, singing "Amazing Love" very softly, and clutching Between Sisters for dear life. I don't think it gets any funnier. Until I finish between sisters, Oh boy what a satisfying novel. I think you're a Genius Kristin! Forget one or two books that I've loved, counting that one it's six so far!
So now I'm in TX (shout out to you, Lisa:)
Well I gotta go whip up that cocktail.
Cheers Fireflies!
P.S. Kristin I LOVE scott from Idol! And I love, love, love how Bachelor dumpee Melissa Rycroft ended up on Dancing! She's SO georgeous!
ok, spelled gorgeous wrong, feel like a total nut... Can you guys TELL I have way too much time on my hands? Wendy, the wedding sounds fabulous :)
Lisa, on my way to San Antonio tomorrow...
Dear April---
When I belonged to a book club, most of us did the same thing--lots of talking, eating and drinking, and like you, I usually read the book the night before. That's one of the reasons that book choice is really important--it's good to have something to really argue about. Controversy and difference of opinion really helps.
aloha,
k
ps: I'm with you on the grapefruit, too, but I'm definitely going to try this firefly drink! I'll let you all know what I think...
Dear Kim---
Thanks for tracking down the recipe! They were such a fun group; I can't wait to try the firefly cocktail.
Maybe in Hawaii???
aloha,k
Dear Wendy---
It sounds BEAUTIFUL!!! I can't wait for pictures, and I'll bet I'm not the only one...
aloha,
K
Dear natalie---
I'm happy to answer any questions you have. You can probably also get a lot of information from the bio part of the website.
Ask away!
aloha,
Kristin
Dear Lisa--
Glad you're loving Harlan. He's definitely a page turner. :)
Your book club questions are great. So great in fact that they'll be the first book club post. Tonight....
aloha,
K
Dear TigMode---
Well, any family that has Sangria as it's official drink just HAS to be a lot of fun!
I'm sorry to have made you cry with Magic Hour, but I'm glad you're enjoying it anyway.
aloha,
k
Dear Michelle---
Thanks for the post about Firefly--unfortunately, you'll see that it's not posted yet. It's the spoiler and all that. But I will answer your other question, which was about the autobiographical nature of On Mystic Lake. Honestly, that is one of my less autobiographical books. My personal connection to that book is the setting (I lived near the Olympic rainforest for several years), and the pregnancy. I had a difficult, bedridden pregnancy and all that. But I've been happily married for many years and the child in the book--Izzy--is pure fiction. Although, I will say, that izzy is one of my favorite characters of all time.
thanks for asking!
aloha,
K
Oh, Lisa...
That Riverwalk... SO cool! I rode the boat twice :)
Any other suggestions for Galveston or San Antonio??
Kristin, I guess I was kind of under the impression that all of us had read Firefly Lane. Oops.
No shocker that I got distracted and forgot the original point of the post. Bookclub and Firefly Lane.
My question is about pacing. Did you plan the pacing for the book ahead of time or create an outline or did you (do you?) create books as the words come to you? I felt the book was heavy on the background information, and I would have liked to have more time with the final group of people though without the growing years, the final group wouldn't mean as much, I suppose. My favorite character is actually Kate's mom.
Also, so far, I'm like the only one who didn't cry in Firefly Lane. I consider this great progress on my part.
Wow April! You didn't cry?
Oh, guys, I tried the cocktail; it was pretty much really, really good.
Was with the friends in Texas for St. Patty's, and I skipped the whole Corned beef/Cabbage thing in favor of a couple drinks! They weren't even green!
Lisa, Galveston was cool although I saw the effects of Ike. Tomorrow is my flight back, and prayers for my sanity are appreciated ;)
See you guys!
Nope. I don't always cry in books, and I cry at weird parts. I often cry at happy parts or just random scenes. Usually sad things don't affect me too much.
Have a safe trip back! Don't let the travel stress win. You can beat it!
Hi Kristin!
Dorriah here from Barnes and Noble in Westlake. (Go CLU!) You asked me to blog and remind you about our discussion about my novel. It was a pleasure to meet you and your husband and to hear your thoughts. Much like your story and background, you and I actually have alot in common. I am a professional by training (Ph.D.) but a writer at heart. I am also a breast cancer patient and connect closely at that level. I would love to get in touch and talk more. All my best,
Dorriah
It's oh so quiet... shhh... shhh...
Love,
Leen ;)
PS. Good thing I'm busy as hell, so I can't come and play with the other fireflies anyways. Good job on not distracting me, Kristin! ;)
It's too quiet! I'm having Kristin and Kim update withdrawals!! =)
Dear Dorriah---
Great to hear from you! We're starting up a kind of book club format for a little while here on the blog, so throw your questions into the hat. I will answer anything that I can.
It was lovely to meet you.
aloha,
K
Kristin-
Loving Firefly Lane, on chapter 19 and can't put it down. Reminds me of my family and childhood. By the way, I do remember the asymmetrical haircut, my junior high school picture will forever remind me!! Thanks for the laugh!
Lisa
North Dakota
I just finished firefly Lane. I cant say enough about it. I too have a best friend since I was 2 yrs old. We are now 39 and 40. I cant imagine my life without her. We both cried our eyes out just imagining how that would be. My friend Darlene lost her sister not long ago to that same cancer. I just want to thank you for bringing that out in the open.
aloha Kristin great book i've read all your books but this one was my best keep it up! chan big island
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