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I love that you have an *international* book club!

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Oct 23, 2023Liked by Marg Moon

Although I’m an avid & confident cook and baker, there are some kitchen projects I leave for the pros...like making jam! Demon Copperhead was one of my favorite books this year, I wish I’d known about your book club discussion. What are you reading & discussing next, and when?

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I wish you had known about book club too! We meet roughly four times a year, usually on a Friday morning. If you live in the US, that would be Thursday afternoon. Confusing, I know!

I am currently mulling over the choice for our next discussion and I'm open to suggestions. I was thinking of doing something lighter, or maybe a memoir, but I love reading books with heft as well. My criteria for books is that they need to be available from my local library, so I usually avoid very recent books because the wait-list is too long. I had to wait ages for Demon Copperhead and push the meeting back a month, because it took so long for my name to get to the top of the list. But it was worth it! I loved it too. Please let me know if you have any recommended reads (for book club or just generally). I could literally talk about books all day.

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Are you on Goodreads? I have all of my reading lists there, well organized. I’m currently reading an amazing book by Linda Holeman, called The Devil on Her Tongue. She wrote my favorite book, The Linnett Bird, and so now I’m reading her other books (all published ages ago). But I also read current releases, to keep-up in bookish conversations. I, too, could talk about books (and food) all day!

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I don't really hang out on Goodreads much, but will check out your lists. I haven't heard of Linda Holeman, so will check if her books are in our library! I'm glad we have the same interests - books and food - what could be better?

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Linda Holeman is a Canadian author and has written a long list of historical fiction novels. I’d recommend starting with The Linnett Bird, it’s not too long and a vivid story. Send me an email (dietjessg@gmail.com) and I’ll gladly share my reading lists with you! And recipes (since mine are no longer accessible - I’ve removed my website...long story). Hope to hear from you soon!

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Oct 18, 2023Liked by Marg Moon

I'm very impressed that you didn't swear (I would have) and that you had the presence of mind to photograph the disaster for your blog - or maybe you didn't have that in mind at the time. I am going to attempt mulberry jam today and I have not had a good track record - everything from totally runny to stiff as a board. Wish me luck!

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I hope your mulberry jam is successful. I didn't know until recently that you don't need to put water in berry jam. Just sugar and lemon juice. Who knew? You did, probably!

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You always seem to hone in on aspects of reading or cooking that resonate for me, Marg. I’ve often picked books with a sad or serious angle that others might avoid--like reading a history of someone who lived through the Holocaust, a war, the loss of a child or parent or some other traumatic experience. If there’s a ray of hope or redemption at the end, it’s a plus. A Heart That Works sounds like it would capture my interest, with the humor and life-affirming parts most welcome. As for kitchen disasters, I’ve had quite a few. Sounds like your pie also turned out well--it looks delicious!

Hoping to join you for at least part of the book club meeting Thursday if I can swing it during the final leg of our travels. Looking forward to it!

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I am guilty of avoiding books that I know will make me cry, but I agree that it increases your capacity for empathy. Like you, I try to vary my reading so that it doesn't become too heavy. Hope you can pop into book club, otherwise travel safe. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your adventures.

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Thanks, Marg! Will try to be there. It will be good to see everyone and to talk about Demon Copperfield!

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