Stop by for a taste
of traditional Italian
style . Since 1985
"We meet every other month on a
groups," says Sarah Krasnick of
Saturday evening," Michael Kasky says.
Franklin, "you don't 'just meet this very
Jackie and I hosted the last meeting
well-read person but also a historian. She
because we discussed Middlesex, which
puts themes and characters and experi-
was based on the Grosse Pointe boyhood
ences in the context of world events."
Krasnick wished to share the pleasure
neighborhood of author Jeffrey
Eugenides. Before our meeting, we took
she derived from books in general and
the group to Middlesex Street to see the
the Franklin Village Library in particu-
house described.in the novel."
lar. Three years ago, she formed a read-
One of the most
ing group there.
dynamic
sessions he
_ "I was willing to
Above: Denise Levy of Farmington
recalls
was
author
have the group meet
Hills, Brenda Strausz of Southfield,
Ze'ev
Chafets'
talk
any night that Adele
Laura Miller of Beverly Hills, Rita
with the group about
could give us," says
Stein of Farmington Hills, Shirlee
his book Devils'
Krasnick, whose
Wyman Harris of Commerce, Lori
Night: And Other
mother, Valerie
Steinlauf of Waterford and Judy
True Tales of Detroit.
Indenbaum, has
Kessler of Farmington Hills meet
"It was chilling and
praised Robins' work
over coffee at Cosi in Farmington
fascinating,"
says
for years.
Hills, the site of their bimonthly
Kasky. "For those of
Edie Broida, herself Sunday morning book club, to dis-
us who grew up in
an admired reading
sect Jeffrey Eugenides' 'Middlesex."
Detroit, it was very
group facilitator who
meaningful."
moderated Temple
Book Beat, an independent Oak Park
Israel's adult discussions before she and
bookstore owned by Cary Loren and
her husband became snowbirds, says,
Colleen Kammer, hosts its reading
."Adele treats every reader's comments as
group at Gayle's Chocolates in Royal
if they have value. She's respectful and
interested and is there to help maximize
Oak on a monthly basis.
"A [Book Beat] staff person is the
participants' reading experiences."
When Broida is home in Farmington
moderator," says Kammer.
"Sometimes we've invited community
Hills, she facilitates a local book group
to which she belongs; she also moderates groups to meet with our members for
in-store author visits. Jeffrey Eugenides
one in Florida.
came to talk about Middlesex. And we
"One idea I love for book lists is what
also hosted Michael Zadoorian, the
I call 'immigrant literature,"' she says.
Ferndale author of Second Hand."
"There are so, so many excellent fiction
and nonfiction books which examine
Chocolates are only one possible treat
themes of belonging and nationality and
served during several youth-adult read-
ing groups sponsored by Temple Israel.
assimilation."
"The girls, boys and their accompany-
Feeding The Brain
ing parent or adult take turns bringing a
Can a book club survive without refresh- snack, leading the discussion and plan-
ning an activity," says Rachel Kamin, the
ments? Not according to authors Judy
temple's director of libraries and media
Gelman and Vicky Levy Krupp, whose
center. "The treat for Strudel Stories was
new paperback, Book Club Cookbook:
obvious."
Recipes and Food for Thoughtfrom Your
Jackie Katz, a Farmington Hills moth-
Book Clubs' Favorite Books and Authors
er of four, loves joining her younger
(Jeremy P. Tarcher; $15.95), gets five
stars in several reader polls.
daughter Dani and older daughter
Rachel, who attend separate age-appro-
Most local groups do serve beverages
and some refreshments. Others meet
priate reading groups four or five times
yearly immediately after Hebrew school.
during a meal.
Jo Coskey of Bloomfield Hills joins
"The girls love that they get to choose
the titles they're going to read. It's a
several acquaintances from Troy's
wonderful activity for us to share."
Congregation Shir Tikvah one Sunday
Fellow Temple Israel member Steve
morning a month for breakfast and
books at Little Daddy's Parthenon on
Weiss of West Bloomfield agrees.
"We're a family of readers. It's been a
Woodward Avenue near Long Lake
great experience to have special time set
Road.
The couples book group co-founded
aside to discuss books with my sons and
by Grosse Pointers Michael and Jackie
other families at Temple."
Kasky usually enjoys a restaurant dinner
Temple Israel's Adult Book Discussion
then holds its book discussion at a mem-
JOIN THE CLUB on page 38
ber's home.
of Troy
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3775 Rochester Rd. • Troy
1/2 mile north of Big Beaver Rd (16 Mile) N. of 1-75
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