Someone asked me recently if I had any trepidation about taking on the Civil Rights Movement in The Improper Life of Bezillia Grove. The question was inevitable. But I wasn’t really prepared to answer it. Relationships were undeniably complicated in the 1960s American South, where society remained neatly ordered by class, status, and skin color. There’s no doubt about that. And Bezellia definitely pushed those once well-defined boundaries. There’s no doubt about that either.

The best part about our book club is the food. Okay, truly it’s the friendship. We were all friends before the club – I don’t remember who suggested we start meeting every month to discuss a new book. But I always look forward to getting together with the girls, sharing our thoughts, and enjoying good food and wine….Thanks to my book club, I’ve traveled the world with food. We always meet at each other’s apartments or Central Park (in the summer months) and each member is tasked with bringing a food from a place or theme in the book.

Thankfully, your husband didn’t notice your new designer purse. And when he asked what “the girls” were reading this week, you pulled the “Edgar Allan Poe” card out of your sleeve. You were inspired, of course, by the Amontillado-based buck served at the last, ah, “discussion.” It’s good you’ve been getting a lot of practice bluffing—because what happens at Book Club, stays at Book Club.

“Here in New York, a good night never ends. We will not let it. Though the hour is late, we are more awake than we have ever been in our lives, we are wild-eyed and grinning and dancing around like fools, and the music is thumping and the lights are flashing and the whole place is pulsating like a massive beating heart, and we do not want to go home, we do not want to go to sleep. Above all, we do not want to miss anything….”

The signs of the times are missing apostrophes. The world needed a hero, but how would an editor with no off-switch answer the call? For Jeff Deck, the writing was literally on the wall: “NO TRESSPASSING.” In that moment, his greater purpose became clear. Dark hordes of typos had descended upon civilization…and only he could wield the marker to defeat them. If you’re like Jeff and Ben – and typos are like nails screeching down a chalkboard – you need to join the Great Typo Hunt!

Born in Italy, Giada was raised in Los Angeles by a gregarious Italian family. While her grandmother, aunt, and mother brought her up on generations-old recipes, Giada also became enamored with the bright and clean flavors of California’s abundant seasonal fruits and vegetables. Giada at Home presents recipes from both traditions, all with Giada’s signature style. We’re delighted to share a delicious recipe for pea pesto crostini – perfect finger food for your book group!