This evening was the latest outing of the Book Jam’s live event – “Pages in the Pub”. This event is designed to bring together independent booksellers, literary bloggers, public librarians, and book lovers for an evening of talking about great titles. This time, we gathered at Woodstock’s Bentley’s Restaurant, sipped drinks, and turned pages, all with the goal of raising money for Vermont public libraries, including Woodstock’s Norman Williams Public Library.
Below is a list of all sixteen books discussed during the evening along with its own special six word review written by the presenter. (Yes, we limited the presenters to six words so we would not run out of room in this post, and they creatively rose to the challenge.) Each of their selections is linked to INDIEbound where you can learn more about their picks. You’ll also notice that the selections are divided into rather specific categories to make browsing easier. Our superb presenters included:
- Kathy Beaird – A librarian in schools and public settings for more than 20 years and a lover of books for 60.
- Carol Boerner – A retired eye surgeon, reinvented with Vermont Facial Aesthetics – a cosmetic beauty business.
- Lisa Cadow – Founder of Vermont Crepe & Waffle, a food cart and caterer and co-founder/blogger of the Book Jam.
- Julia MacDonald – She can almost always be found with her nose in a book or making chocolate chip cookies.
These four women persuaded audience members to purchase 78 books, raising over $700 for Vermont libraries, and helping Yankee Bookshop sales. And now, their selections:
Adult Fiction: For women who only have time for the best
Little Island by Katharine Britton, selected by Julia – Secrets create the landscape of lives.
We are All Completely Besides Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler, selected by Lisa – Humans. Chimps. Different Kinds of Family.
Adult fiction: For men who have enough electronic gadgets, but not enough good fiction to put in them
Hour of the Red God: A Detective Mollel Novel by Richard Crompton, selected by Julia – Maasai detective-exciting plot-dangerous Nairobi.
Adult Fiction: For ANYONE who loves fiction
Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra, selected by Kathy – War story told with hopeful heart.
Say Nice Things About Detroit by Scott Lasser, selected by Lisa – Starting over midlife. Taking Chances. Love?
Memoir / Biography: For people who enjoy living vicariously thru other people’s memories/adventures
Road to Burgundy: The unlikely story of an American making wine and a new life in France by Ray Walker, selected by Julia – A full-bodied armchair travel book.
Mud Season by Ellen Stimson, selected by Kathy – LOL comedy of flatlander mistakes. Hilarious!
Memoirs with a food angle: For the foodies out there
The Telling Room: A tale of love, betrayal, revenge and the world’s greatest piece of cheese by Michael Paterniti, selected by Lisa – Magical cheese. Obsession. Spain. Fine Storytelling.
Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking: A memoir of food and longing by Anya von Bremzen, selected by Carol – Charming. Poignant. Horrifying. Personal. MUST READ.
Cookbooks: For people looking for culinary inspirations
Jamie Oliver’s Food Escapes: Over 100 recipes from the world’s greatest food regions by Jamie Oliver, selected by Carol – Culinary travelogue. Sophisticated recipes. Endearing style.
The Heart of the Plate: Vegetarian recipes for a new generation by Mollie Katzen, selected by Kathy – Enchanted Broccoli Forest all grown up.
Moosewood Restaurant Favorites: The 250 most requested, naturally delicious recipes from one of America’s best loved restaurants by The Moosewood Collective, selected by Lisa – Veggies, veggies everywhere. Prepare deliciously every day.
Coffee table books or literary gifts: For all your favorite hosts/hostesses/co-workers
The Essential Scratch & Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert by Richard Betts, selected by Carol – Novel. Serious. Instructive. FUN. Great gift.
Picture Books: For families to read together on cozy fall days
Journey by Aaron Becker, selected by Julia – Lonely Girl, red marker adventure, stunning!
Mr. Wuffles! by David Wiesner, selected by Carol – Charming. Family fun. Exquisite illustrations. Wordless!
The Tortoise & the Hare by Jerry Pinkney, selected by Kathy – Every page a work of art.
The Book Jam would also like to thank the Vermont Community Foundation for making it possible to take Pages in the Pub to Woodstock.
I really love the concept of this blog and how you talk about books- keep up the great work!🙂
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