Forge your own book club - Tor/Forge Blog

‘Forge’ Your Perfect Summer BBQ!

August 9, 2024October 1, 2024Ariana Carpentieri

Nothing beats grabbing a book on a sunny day, settling in, cracking it open, and relaxing the day away by getting lost within the pages. It’s essentially the human equivalent of being a house-cat. But you know what would take your reading day over the top? If you had the perfect food and drink to pair with your sensational summer reads! We’ve got you covered there, cool cats. Read onwards to see what we suggest you match up with your summer reading list so that you can ‘forge’ your perfect summer BBQ!

Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi

What to Eat: Set in West Africa, we think a traditional West African cusiene would be most fitting. Jollof rice is a one-pot dish that originated in West Africa and is now popular across the continent. It’s made with rice, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, chili peppers, garlic, ginger, and spices like cumin and paprika, and often served with grilled meats or fish.

What to Drink: Staying on theme, a popular West African beverage that would pair nicely here is Zobo: A drink made with hibiscus leaves, ginger, pineapple, and simple syrup that’s popular in Nigeria and throughout West Africa. This drink is especially fitting for the summertime, as it has a light, fruity, and refreshing flavor!

A Certain Kind of Starlight by Heather Webber

What to Eat: Heather is the queen of sweet Southern charm, so it only makes sense for us to pair this magical book with a dessert! Plus this book features a family bakery, so reading it will definitely put you in the mood to eat something sweet! Take a look at this guest post written by author Heather Webber herself that outlines some delicious treats you can make to pair with this book! Might we suggest the strawberry shortcake? It’s a classic summer staple, and will truly hit the spot!

What to Drink: A sweet read calls for a sweet drink (can you sense a general theme here?), so we think a frozen strawberry daiquiri would really be the icing on the cake.

Passion for the Heist by K’wan

What to Eat: As the title and one of the main character’s names suggests, something made with ‘passion’ would be best suited for this gripping book. This passion fruit mousse recipe is creamy, tangy, fresh, and a truly perfect treat to bring along to the summer BBQ!

What to Drink: Staying true to theme, we suggest pairing this book with a delicious passion fruit drink, such as this passion fruit and mint cooler. It’ll be super refreshing to sip on something like this to help you cool down as you lounge out the sweltering sun!

A Farewell to Arfs by Spencer Quinn

What to eat: Chet and Bernie, the best human and dog duo around, are big fans of eating at Burger Heaven. So we suggest you fire up the grill and make a burger for yourself to chow down on as you read this book!

What to drink: To pair with your burger, we feel an all-American classic Coca-Cola is the perfect way to go.

Desperation Reef by T. Jefferson Parker

What to eat: This book centers around a big-wave surfing competition that takes place on the Pacific coastline, so we think seafood is definitely the way to go here! Try pairing it with this incredibly delicious grilled shrimp tacos with creamy cilantro sauce recipe. It’s zesty, tasty, and one of the best meals to make during the summertime.

What to Drink: Since this story largely centers around surfing, a sweet beach beverage is what you’ll want to pair with this thrilling read! And nothing screams ‘beach’ and ‘summer’ more than sipping on a delectable Piña Colada. This drink will truly put the ‘chill’ in ‘chilling by the ocean!’

Raw Dog by Jamie Loftus

What to Eat: We’d be completely remiss if we didn’t include Raw Dog on this list: the ultimate guide to hot dogs; a beloved staple food at summer BBQs across the Unites States in the summertime! It’s all within the name: Raw Dog is a book all about hot dogs, so obviously that’s the very food you need to pair with this book!

What to Drink: Hot dogs simply wouldn’t be the magnificent creations they are without the help of the condiments that compliment them. Many people have heated debates about what the best type of hot dog is (a New York dog, a Chicago dog, a Boston Dog; the list goes on!) but we think we can all agree on the fact that any superior hot dog is the one adorned with our favorite condiment sidekicks. So a fun (albeit unique) drink that features an actual condiment is the best option here! Try sippin’ on a pickle martini while you make your way through Raw Dog!

Forge Your Own Bookclub / New Releases / What's New

Forge Your Own Book Club for Mrs. Plansky’s Revenge by Spencer Quinn!

June 16, 2023July 11, 2023Ariana Carpentieri

By Ariana Carpentieri:

Mrs. Loretta Plansky, a recent widow in her seventies, is settling into retirement in Florida while dealing with her 98-year-old father and fielding requests for money from her beloved children and grandchildren. Thankfully, her new hip hasn’t changed her killer tennis game one bit.

One night Mrs. Plansky is startled awake by a phone call from a voice claiming to be her grandson Will, who desperately needs ten thousand dollars to get out of a jam. Of course, Loretta obliges—after all, what are grandmothers for, even grandmothers who still haven’t gotten a simple “thank you” for a gift sent weeks ago. Not that she’s counting.

By morning, Mrs. Plansky has lost everything. Law enforcement announces that Loretta’s life savings have vanished, and that it’s hopeless to find the scammers behind the heist. First humiliated, then furious, Loretta Plansky refuses to be just another victim.

In a courageous bid for justice, Mrs. Plansky follows her only clue on a whirlwind adventure to a small village in Romania to get her money and her dignity back—and perhaps find a new lease on life, too.

Mrs. Plansky’s Revenge is an excellent choice for your next book club discussion. Here’s a breakdown on what to watch, what to eat, what to drink, what to listen to, and what to discuss while you read it!

WHAT TO WATCH

Mrs. Plansky’s Revenge is a story about an older woman who loses everything and must go on a physical, emotional, and mental journey to get her life back. It’s a tale of redemption and finding oneself along the way. A movie with a similar plot-line is Hayao Miyazaki’s acclaimed Studio Ghibli film, Howl’s Moving Castle, which is about a girl who’s turned into an old woman by a powerful witch and must go on a journey in order to get her youth back. Along the way she forges friendships, experiences new things, faces hardships, and ultimately discovers a new appreciation for life. Both stories portray little old ladies who are actually anything but—they’re strong, determined, and must embark on a journey to reclaim their lives!

WHAT TO EAT

Mrs. Plansky is a kind grandmother who’s tricked into losing all of her life savings. Law enforcement informs her that it’s hopeless to find the scammers behind the heist, but Loretta Plansky refuses to be just another victim. In a courageous bid for justice, Mrs. Plansky follows her only clue on a whirlwind adventure to a small village in Romania to get her money and her dignity back—and perhaps find a new lease on life, too. With her trip whisking her off to Romania, I think this book calls to be paired with a classic Romanian dessert! Papanași, or Romanian cheese donuts, are by far the country’s most popular and beloved dessert. Papanași can be fried or boiled – both are delicious, and the boiled variation generally has a breadcrumb and sugar coating!

WHAT TO DRINK

It’s no secret that Mrs. Planksy is a sweet but strong old woman. She’s got a lot on her plate and is determined to get her life back after everything was unjustly stolen from her. I think a drink that’s sweet, but also packs a punch, would be a perfect fit for Mrs. Plansky. So I’d say a Long Island Iced Tea is the way to go! But if alcoholic beverages aren’t your thing, then a plain iced tea would also do the trick. Plus, both are perfect summer drinks to sip on if you read this with your book club during the upcoming warmer months!

WHAT TO LISTEN TO

The song Float On by Modest Mouse is a great song to pair with this book because it’s all about pushing through what’s bad in order to make it through. The lyrics paint a picture that you can still find light even in the darkness, and serves as a reminder that the hard times will eventually pass. There’s even a mention in the song about getting scammed (which is exactly what happens to poor Mrs.Plansky), saying they “took every last dime with that scam.” But looking on the bright side, it continues with: “Bad news comes, don’t you worry even when it lands / Good news will work its way to all them plans.” I think Mrs. Plansky would appreciate listening to a song like this because it would help keep her motivated as she strives to get her money and dignity back!

WHAT TO DISCUSS

Download the Mrs. Plansky’s Revenge Reading Group Guide for insightful questions to get the discussion going!

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Click below to pre-order your copy of Mrs. Plansky’s Revenge, available 7.25.23!

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Forge Your Own Book Club for The Instructor by T. R. Hendricks!

May 12, 2023May 17, 2024Ariana Carpentieri

By Ariana Carpentieri:

Are you on the hunt for your next pulse-pounding thriller? Then we’re going to instruct you to read The Instructor by phenomenal debut author T. R. Hendricks!

Derek Harrington, retired Marine Force Recon and SERE instructor, is barely scraping by teaching the basics of wilderness survival. His fledgling bushcraft school is on the cusp of going out of business and expenses are piling up fast. His only true mission these days? To get his ailing father into a full care facility and to support his ex-wife and their son.

When one of his students presents him with an opportunity too good to be true—$20,000 to instruct a private group for 30 days in upstate New York—Derek reluctantly takes the job, despite his reservations about the group’s insistence on anonymity. But it isn’t long before the training takes an unexpected turn—and a new offer is made.

Reaching out to an FBI contact to sound his concerns, Derek soon finds himself in deep cover, deep in the woods, embroiled with a fringe group led by a charismatic leader who will stop at nothing to get what he wants. When what he wants becomes Derek’s head, the teacher is pitted against his students as Derek races against time to stop what could very well be the first attack by the domestic terrorist cell.

The Instructor is the an excellent choice for your next book club discussion. Here’s a breakdown on what to watch, what to eat, what to drink, and what to listen to while you read it!

WHAT TO WATCH

Mark Greaney, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Burner, hit the nail on the head: “Packed with action, tension, and humanity, The Instructor delivers.” And a series that delivers the same level of intensity that The Instructor does is Survivorman: a Canadian-based show that focuses on how one might survive alone, in a remote location, with minimal supplies until being rescued. Finding food, water, and materials to make fire and shelter pose the main challenges of each episode. This is very similar to the situation main character Derek Harrington from The Instructor finds himself in: deep in the woods, embroiled with a fringe group led by a charismatic leader who will stop at nothing to get what he wants, and fighting for survival!

WHAT TO EAT

Derek, a character of pure mental and physical strength, is someone who I bet knows the importance of having a high-protein diet. But I can’t just suggest any regular protein-packed snack here–it must be one that’s fit for survival. Legacy’s supply of freeze-dried beef comes with 100% USDA beef that has a tender texture, amazing flavor, and 17 grams of protein per serving. It can be stored for up to 10-15 years or made into individual servings that are convenient for cooking on outdoor trips!

WHAT TO DRINK

“The apartment is dark and strangely quiet, save for the buzz of the fridge and the clock ticking on the wall. Derek sits at the small table wedged in the space between the two bedroom doors. A rocks glass of bourbon sits perspiring on the tabletop. The phone Marshal gave him and a digital recorder next to it. He stares at the empty chair across from him and takes a sip” (page 81). It’s no secret The Instructor is a book that packs a serious punch. A hot read like this (there’s literal fire on the cover, folks) deserves a drink with a kick. So you can raise a glass and toast with Derek by joining him in sipping on some bourbon! But if alcohol isn’t your thing, then you can substitute it with something like Kentucky 74, which is a non-alcoholic spirit that comprises the familiar notes of oak, vanilla, caramel, and smoke–reminiscent of an excellent bourbon.

WHAT TO LISTEN TO

In this amazing guest post by the author himself, T. R. Hendricks mentions some staple anthems that helped him set the scene as he wrote the book. Here’s the Spotify playlist so you can head-bang along with us!

Click below to order your copy of The Instructor, available now!

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Forge Your Own Book Club: The Last Beekeeper by Julie Carrick Dalton

March 21, 2023July 11, 2023Ariana Carpentieri1 Comment

By Ariana Carpentieri:

Spring has officially sprung, and we have the most perfect and timely book for you to dive into. Nothing screams ‘springtime’ more than a book about bees! Julie Carrick Dalton’s The Last Beekeeper is a celebration of found family, an exploration of truth versus power, and the triumph of hope in the face of despair.

It’s been more than a decade since the world has come undone, and Sasha Severn has returned to her childhood home with one goal in mind—find the mythic research her father, the infamous Last Beekeeper, hid before he was incarcerated. There, Sasha is confronted with a group of squatters who have claimed the quiet, idyllic farm as their own. While she initially feels threatened, the group soon becomes her newfound family, offering what she hasn’t felt since her father was imprisoned: security and hope. Maybe it’s time to forget the family secrets buried on the farm and focus on her future.

But just as she settles into her new life, Sasha witnesses the impossible. She sees a honey bee, presumed extinct. People who claim to see bees are ridiculed and silenced for reasons Sasha doesn’t understand, but she can’t shake the feeling that this impossible bee is connected to her father’s missing research. Fighting to uncover the truth could shatter Sasha’s fragile security and threaten the lives of her newfound family—or it could save them all.

The Last Beekeeper is the an excellent choice for your next book club discussion. Here’s a breakdown on what to watch, what to eat, what to drink, what to listen to, and what to discuss while you read it!

What to Watch:

The Last Beekeeper is is a meditation on forgiveness and redemption and a reminder to cherish the beauty that still exists in this fragile world. A movie I think would be an excellent choice to pair with this book is called Vanishing of the Bees. The movie highlights the challenges bees are facing in this fast-modernizing world. With a special focus on Colony Collapse Disorder, it presents us the economic, political and ecological implications of the worldwide disappearance of the honey bee. This documentary follows organic and commercial beekeepers fighting against big corporations and trying to save their bees.

What to Eat:

This story is a true and beautiful testament to the importance of bees in our ecosystem. There’s no better treat to pair with this book than making some honey granola yogurt bark! Quick to whip up and easy to munch on, this deliciously healthy snack pays a sweet homage to the wonderful work bees do for us on a daily basis.

What to drink:

Staying within that same sweet theme, honey is certainly the main ingredient when it comes to what we suggest pairs best with The Last Beekeeper! Perfect for spring and summer, this honey mojito recipe will BEE the star of the show. This drink is pleasing to the pallet and might even give you a little BUZZ! Like soft sunshine, fresh-cut flowers, and all the other good springtime things, drinking a refreshing beverage like this is sure to spruce up your regular reading routine.

What to Listen to:

The song I think pairs best with this book is a little ditty called Honeybee by The Head and The Heart. Enchanting vocals that are incredibly refreshing, the lyrics tell a story of a crumbling relationship, then as the song progresses the protagonist realizes what they stand to lose. Regarding this song, Charity Rose Thielen (vocalist and guitarist of the band), says: “Honeybee really captures the idea of living the end of your life with some regret–realizing you have been living a life complacent with the familiar–maybe even taking the person closest to you for granted and regretting not expressing your love towards them until it’s too late. It’s a concept that connects with all of us. It feels fresh.” And in regards to The Last Beekeeper, Charlotte McConaghy, New York Times bestselling author of Once There Were Wolves, says: “Dalton’s passion and love for the natural world vibrates gloriously off every page. The Last Beekeeper is not only an intriguing mystery but an important reminder of what we stand to lose.” The parallels drawn between both the song and the novel are quite BEEwitching! Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the name of the song is so apropos. With all that being said, we truly feel this catchy tune is an excellent fit to listen to as you read The Last Beekeeper.

What to Discuss:

Download the The Last Beekeeper Reading Group Guide for insightful questions to get the discussion going!

Dalton_The Last Beekeeper_Reading Group Guide FINAL

Click below to order your copy of The Last Beekeeper, available now!

New Releases / What's New

Forge Your Own Book Club: The House Guest by Hank Phillippi Ryan

March 10, 2023January 22, 2024Ariana Carpentieri

By Ariana Carpentieri:

With spring right around the corner, there’s no better time to spruce up your home and refresh your bookshelf. Spring cleaning, am I right? And boy, do we have a book for you the cleans up real nice. Meet The House Guest—a diabolical cat-and-mouse thriller from USA Today bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan.

After every divorce, one spouse gets all the friends. What does the other one get? If they’re smart, they get the benefits. Alyssa Macallan is terrified when she’s dumped by her wealthy and powerful husband. With a devastating divorce looming, she begins to suspect her toxic and manipulative soon-to-be-ex is scheming to ruin her—leaving her alone and penniless. And when the FBI shows up at her door, Alyssa knows she really needs a friend.

And then she gets one. A seductive new friend, one who’s running from a dangerous relationship of her own. Alyssa offers Bree Lorrance the safety of her guest house, and the two become confidantes. Then Bree makes a heart-stoppingly tempting offer. Maybe Alyssa and Bree can solve each others’ problems.

But no one is what they seem. And the fates and fortunes of these two women twist and turn until the shocking truth emerges: You can’t always get what you want. But sometimes you get what you deserve.

The House Guest is the perfect pick for your next book club discussion. Here’s a breakdown on what to watch, what to eat, what to drink, and what to listen to while you read it!

What to Watch

Divorce. Life changing as you know it. Luxurious lifestyles being threatened. Wealth slipping through your fingers. Friendships not truly being what they seem. All of these mysteriously fascinating topics are not only highlighted in The House Guest, but also in the movie The Weekend Away. This Netflix thriller is about a woman (Beth) who travels to Croatia for a weekend getaway with her best friend (Kate) because Beth’s marriage has hit a dull patch and Kate is recently divorced. So a quick vacay is just the medicine both ladies are looking for. But on this fateful trip, Kate suddenly goes missing and it’s up to Beth figure out what exactly happened. As Beth’s investigation unravels, secrets are revealed and everything she thought she knew about her best friend is called into question. Perhaps Kate isn’t so innocent…and perhaps neither is Beth.

What to Eat

This thrilling book features a (twisted) female friendship. And when I sit down to spill the tea with my girlfriends, I love to order some avocado toast. This dish is not only delicious but also very satisfying—just like how reading The House Guest feels! The best part about avocado toast is its versatility—there are endless ways to customize it to your liking. Personally, I always order mine with a sunny-side-up egg on top. It’s a game-changer.

What to Drink

Keeping within that same brunch theme, mimosas are an absolute must when hanging out with your gal pals. Whether you’re lounging by the pool or brunching at your favorite local restaurant, having a mimosa with the sun shining down and a gentle breeze in the air just hits different. But if alcohol isn’t your thing, then a mimosa mocktail would make for a fabulous substitute!

What to Listen to

I am convinced that there is no better song to accompany reading this book than Vigilante Sh*t by the one and only Taylor Swift. Now she gets the house, gets the kids, gets the pride / Picture me thick as thieves with your ex-wife / And she looks so pretty driving in your Benz / Lately she’s been dressing for revenge. It’s giving I-may-have-killed-my-snake-of-a-husband-but-I’m-pretty-enough-to-get-away-with-it vibes. It’s about female empowerment, enacting revenge on men, a potential (albeit fake) murder confession, and dark secrets coming to the surface. It’s basically a song that’ll make you feel like a total baddie, which is the same exact feeling you’ll get from reading The House Guest.

Click below to order your copy of The House Guest, available now!

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Forge Your Own Book Club: Love, Clancy by W. Bruce Cameron

January 10, 2023May 3, 2024Ariana Carpentieri1 Comment

Now that the holiday craze has simmered down and the new year is officially upon us, this is the perfect time to remain cozied up at home with our beloved furry friends. And there’s truly no better way to do this than grabbing one of W. Bruce Cameron’s books to keep you and your pet pal excellent company. If you’re looking for your next deeply moving read (that subsequently includes one very sweet dog and one very salty cat), then you’re in luck! Love, Clancy: Diary of a Good Dog, told in Cameron’s signature style, has a tremendous cast of wonderful characters that find themselves jointly and separately navigating the challenges of life, of love, and…other pets, including Clancy’s “worst enemy”–a rather disdainful cat. It’s a lot to keep track of, especially when things start to spin hilariously out of control, but fortunately, we’ve got the observations of Clancy, a very good dog, who shares a valuable perspective on what is really important.

Love, Clancy is the perfect pick for your next book club discussion. Here’s a breakdown on what to watch, what to eat, what to drink, what to listen to, and what to discuss while you read it!

What to Watch:

There’s PAWsitively nothing more perfect to watch alongside reading this book than A Dog’s Purpose and A Dog’s Journey–two film adaptations of other novels by W. Bruce Cameron! Watch these heartwarming movies capture the unconditional loving relationships between people and their loyal best friends in stories no dog lover can resist.

What to Eat:

We love to see treats that are safe and yummy for both human and dog consumption. So we think making these human-approved dog treats would be the perfect route to take! This five minute recipe blurs the line between dog treat and human treat, so it’s perfect to share with your furry friend. BONE Appétit!

What to Drink:

In a similar vein as ‘What to Eat,’ we want to make sure we give you a drink pairing that would also be safe for your dog (aside from water, that is!). You can enjoy a nice, warm cappuccino while your dog has their own version, cutely coined a puppuccino.

What to Listen to:

While Love, Clancy is a separate storyline from A Dog’s Purpose, we still think that giving a listen to the full original motion picture soundtrack of A Dog’s Purpose would make for excellent background music as you read all about the lovable dog, Clancy.

What to Discuss:

Download the Love, Clancy Reading Group Guide for insightful questions to get the discussion going!
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**Click below to order your copy of Love, Clancy, available now!**

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Forge Your Own Book Club: The Picture Bride by Lee Geum-yi; translated by An Seonjae

November 4, 2022November 3, 2022Ariana Carpentieri2 Comments

By Ariana Carpentieri:

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, now is the perfect time of year to reflect on all you’re grateful for. And one of the things we’re most thankful for here at Forge is the existence of books like The Picture Bride by Lee Geum-yi; translated by An Seonjae. It’s a poignant story about the power of friendship that’ll fill you with hope as it takes your breath away. Both moving and uplifting, this is an incredibly fitting and timely story to read this month.

“Your husband is a landowner,” they told her.

“Food and clothing is so plentiful, it grows on trees.”

“You will be able to go to school.”

Of the three lies the matchmaker told Willow before she left home as a picture bride in 1918, the third hurt the most. Never one to be deterred, Willow does all that she can to make the best of her unexpected circumstance. But it isn’t long before her dreams for this new life are shattered, first by a husband who never wanted to marry her in the first place, and then by the escalation of the Korean independence movements, unified in goal, but divergent in action, which threaten to split the Hawaiian Korean community and divide Willow’s family and friends.

Braving the rough waters of these tumultuous years, Willow forges ahead, creating new dreams through her own blood, sweat, and tears; working tirelessly toward a better life for her family and loved ones.

The Picture Bride is the perfect pick for your next book club discussion. Here’s a breakdown on what to watch, what to eat, what to drink, what to listen to, and what to discuss while you read it!

What to Watch:

While similar in title, the film Picture Bride is also similar in content to the book The Picture Bride by Lee Geum-yi. After the main character’s father dies, she becomes the arranged wife of a migrant worker in Hawaii. She travels from Japan to the US, but finds it difficult adapting to the hard life of working on a sugar plantation and living with her new husband. During this time, she befriends another woman who also came over as a bride and is faced with the challenging task of evaluating where she truly belongs.

What to Eat:

“They set down a bowl of bean paste stew in the middle of each table, and placed bowls of rice in front of each one. It was pure, white rice! In Korea, only the rich ate white rice, and Willow could not tear her eyes away. Her mouth was watering at the sight of the plentiful Korea-style dishes.” During the first meal eating with the bridegrooms at the inn, Willow was amazed at the sight of white rice on the table. So we think eating some steamed white rice would be a good meal to pair with this book–as a reminder that even the seemingly simple dishes are meaningful and to always be thankful for what you might consider to be the little things.

What to Drink:

Bubble Tea (also known as pearl milk tea, boba tea, or simply boba) is a drink that originate in Taiwan, but gained immense popularity in other countries such as Japan, China, and Korea. The tea is mixed with milk or fruits and topped off with chewy tapioca pearls. In recent years it has also gained popularity in the US, with many boba beverage franchises open across the country. We think grabbing one from your favorite local bubble tea shop would make for an excellent drink to sip on as you read (or you could even try your hand at making one from scratch at home!).

What to Listen to:

Since the brides in this book are originally from Korea, we think listening to Korean music while reading would be most fitting. BTS, a well-known South Korean band, has a playlist of softer songs that would make a great pairing as you sit and devour the immersive masterpiece that is The Picture Bride.

What to Discuss:

Download the The Picture Bride Reading Group Guide for insightful questions to get the discussion going!

Geum-Yi Picture Bride Reading Group Guide (1)

Click below to order your copy of The Picture Bride, available now!

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Forge Your Own Book Club: Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen

October 12, 2022September 16, 2024Ariana Carpentieri1 Comment

By Ariana Carpentieri:

With Halloween right around the corner, ‘tis the season for murders and mysteries! We may not have a haunted house for you, but we have the next best thing: Lavender House by Lev AC Rosen, coming your way on October 18th! This deliciously intense suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat and dying for more.

Lavender House, 1952: the family seat of recently deceased matriarch Irene Lamontaine, head of the famous Lamontaine soap empire. Irene’s recipes for her signature scents are a well guarded secret—but it’s not the only one behind these gates. This estate offers a unique freedom, where none of the residents or staff hide who they are. But to keep their secret, they’ve needed to keep others out.

And now they’re worried they’re keeping a murderer in.

Lavender House is the perfect pick for your next book club discussion. Here’s a breakdown on what to watch, what to eat, what to drink, what to listen to, and what to discuss while you read it!

What to Watch:

Lavender House is a whodunit story with well-guarded secrets and utterly unforgettable characters. Its plot is steeped in early 1950s noir, so a film we suggest pairing with this sharp read is The Woman in Question. In this 1950 murder-mystery movie, a fortune-teller named Astra is found murdered. During the investigation, a detective questions Astra’s housekeeper, who conveys Astra in a favorable light. Yet upon speaking with some of Astra’s other family members, a less appealing image of the victim is revealed. It’s up to the detective to figure out Astra’s true identity and what’s been hiding under the surface all along.

What to Eat:

According to P. J. Vernon, author of Bath Haus: “Tightly spun and utterly immersive, Lev AC Rosen delivers a deliciously twisty and queer whodunnit in Lavender House. With a mid-century mystery as sprawling as its titular mansion, the velvet knives in this one are sharp as hell.” We think a “deliciously twisty” book calls for an equally as deliciously twisty snack–like churros. Because churros are always a good idea…and so is reading Lavender House!

What to Drink:

The book opens with our main character, Evander Mills, sitting in a bar and nursing a few martinis. So what better drink to pair with this impactful book than a classic martini? If you’re looking for a beverage with slightly less of a punch, then a mocktail martini would also do the trick!

What to Listen to:

Looking for the perfect playlist to accompany this riveting read? We’ve got you covered! Lev put together a killer list of late 40s and early 50s songs that will have you wanting to break out an old record player so you can properly swoon. Click here to check out the full blog post featuring Lev’s breakdown of his song choices and peruse the Spotify playlist below!

What to Discuss:

Download the Lavender House Reading Group Guide for insightful questions to get the discussion going!

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Click below to order your copy of Lavender House!

Lists / New Releases / What's New

Forge Your Own Bookclub: In the Middle of Hickory Lane by Heather Webber

September 26, 2022September 27, 2022Ariana Carpentieri

By Ariana Carpentieri:

Are you someone who wistfully clings to summer even though it’s now officially fall? Do you long for those sweet, sunny days durning the season when pumpkin spice reigns supreme and the first signs of sweater weather are quickly closing in? If that’s the case, then we have a secret for you: what if we told you there was a way to capture that summer feeling no matter what season it is? The answer is simple: read In the Middle of Hickory Lane by Heather Webber!

In the magical neighborhood garden in the middle of Hickory Lane, Emme and Cora Bee learn some hard truths about the past and themselves, the value of friends, family, and community, and most importantly, that true growth starts from within.

In the Middle of Hickory Lane is the perfect pick for your next book club discussion. Here’s a breakdown on what to watch, what to eat, what to drink, and what to listen to while you read it!

What to Watch:

Heather Webber does a phenomenal job at creating magical storylines that read like a wholesome, yet poignant movie. Therefore, we suggest pairing this book with the sweetness of a Hallmark movie (and extra brownie points if said movie takes place somewhere in the south!).

What to Eat:

This charming book will have you craving something equally as sweet to eat (not to mention that cupcake on the cover looks pretty appetizing!) so we’d highly suggest taking a look at this wonderful roundup of summer treats that author Heather Webber put together herself when choosing what yummy dessert you’d like to pair with this read!

What to Drink:

A sweet read calls for a sweet drink (do you see a central theme here?) so we think a frozen strawberry daiquiri would really be the icing on the (cup)cake.

What to Listen to:

A story that centers around a magical neighborhood garden with a heavy focus on the value of friends, family, and community means you should be listening to a song that has some magical elements to it! What does that even mean, you may ask? Try giving Invisible String by Taylor Swift a shot. It’s a heartwarming song about fate’s wondrous way of connecting people and how time can mystically heal old wounds. Trust us—it’s a pretty darn good fit.

Click below to order your copy of Heather’s newest book, In the Middle of Hickory Lane, available now!

Lists / New Releases / What's New

Forge Your Own Book Club: Midnight on the Marne by Sarah Adlakha

August 23, 2022August 19, 2022Ariana Carpentieri1 Comment

By Ariana Carpentieri:

While it’s true that summer is beginning to wind down and fall is right around the corner, we’ve still got some hot new Forge reads to carry you right into the coolness of pumpkin spice season. Picture it now: The scene? France during WWI. The storyline? Gripping. The exploration of what it means to change the course of fate? Breathtaking. And the love the characters have for one another? It transcends time. If these captivating details have you wanting more, we’ve got you covered! Midnight on the Marne is the perfect pick for your next book club discussion. Here’s a breakdown on what to watch, what to drink, what to eat, what to listen to, and what to discuss while you read it!

What to Watch:

In a similar vein to Midnight on the Marne, the Prime series The Man in the High Castle takes a look at what the world might look like had the outcome of World War II been different. We think this would be a fitting watch and could easily drum up some interesting conversation in your book club about the similarities between the parallel universe where Nazi Germany and the Empire of Japan reign supreme after their World War II victory in The Man in the High Castle versus the reverberations of an altered timeline during World War I depicted in Midnight on the Marne.

If you’d like more suggestions on what to watch, check out Sarah’s list of her Top 5 Alternative Timeline/Time Travel Books, Movies, and TV Series!

What to Drink:

Marcelle and her family live in an apartment across the street from a wine cellar. So what better drink to pair with this book than your favorite glass of wine? Your wine of choice will be the perfect fit. To really help set the scene, you can choose a French brand. Santé!

What to Eat:

There’s a moment in the book when Marcelle is watching the receptionist at the Occupation Administration Office while she waits to have a talk with Max Neumann. As she sits, the receptionist receives a box of assorted chocolates from a German soldier. Marcelle reflects on how difficult her life has been in the past five years and that she hasn’t had one bite of chocolate in all that time. We think chocolate would be a good snack to pair with this book–as a reminder that even when circumstances are rough, there are still some sweet things in life to help you fight through the hard days.

What to Listen to:

Since the setting is France, we suggest you throw on some classic French jams. Let your Alexa croon songs like “Tous les garçons et les filles” and “La Vie En Rose” from the corner as you sip your wine, eat your chocolates, and contemplate philosophical theories like the repercussions of changing fate and the question of “what if?” that lingers when you think of how different things would look if you had the ability to alter the timeline of your own life–you know, just a few casual themes that’ll present themselves as you read Midnight on the Marne. We think heavy food for thought requires some soft French music vibes!

What to Discuss:

Download the Midnight on the Marne Reading Group Guide for insightful questions to get the discussion going!

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Click below to order your copy of Midnight on the Marne, available now!

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WHAT TO LISTEN TO

**Click below to order your copy of Love, Clancy, available now!**