Regular readers will know that I'm a fan of Jessica Anya Blau and her first book, The Summer of Naked Swim Parties - a wonderful novel about coming of age in the '70s. Jessica's new book, Drinking Closer to Home is just out, and I'm so happy to announce that she'll be joining us on Book Club Girl on Air on Tuesday, February 15th at 7 pm ET to discuss it!
In Drinking Closer to Home Jessica tells the story of three grown siblings, who have returned home to face their dysfunctional past.
There is nothing like ten days with one's family to bring forth old obsessions and stir up childhood memories. When Anna, Portia, and Emery’s mother, Louise, suffers a massive heart attack, the three grown children return to Santa Barbara to be with their father, Buzzy, as they wait for Louise to either recover or die. Anna can’t stop thinking about sex with strangers, although in junior high she was terrifyingly certain that her free-loving parents had syphilis (from which they would shortly die). Portia’s beach-bunny teen years feel far away as she struggles with an unfaithful husband who has left her feeling boneless and unsure. And though Emery’s greatest childhood fear was that The Law would catch up with their parents for any one of their numerous transgressions (marijuana plants in the backyard; peeing in public; the time Louise quit being a housewife and gave Emery's care over to eight-year-old Portia), now his only worry is that he won’t be able to create his own family, a newer, better, improved version that will trump the impetuousness and chaos that ruled his childhood home. But this time together will also bring to the surface sometimes painful, often heartbreaking secrets that will shake the foundations of everything the three siblings know about themselves and assume about their family. Secrets that may, perhaps, change the way they view the past as well as the future.
Set your reminder for the show on February 15th and check out the reading group guide. I have 10 copies of the book to give away to the first 10 people who comment that they'd like to participate in the live show on the 15th!
This book is already one my TBR and wish lists so I'd love to receive a free copy and participate in the discussion!
Posted by: Readitandeat | January 24, 2011 at 09:55 PM
I would love to read this!
Posted by: Yvette | January 24, 2011 at 09:58 PM
Sounds awesome!
Posted by: Jessica | January 24, 2011 at 10:02 PM
I most definitely would welcome the chance to receive a free copy to read and discuss the book together.
Posted by: Tera | January 24, 2011 at 10:23 PM
I'd love to participate. I can't wait to read this one.
Posted by: Martha | January 24, 2011 at 11:41 PM
I'd love to participate.
Posted by: Andrea | January 25, 2011 at 04:49 AM
I would love to participate. Thanks
Posted by: Debbie D | January 25, 2011 at 07:30 AM
Looks like a great book. I'd love to participate!
Posted by: Melissa | January 25, 2011 at 08:00 AM
I would love to participate. thanks for this book.
Posted by: anne | January 25, 2011 at 09:04 AM
I would like to participate, thank you.
Beth
Posted by: TheBookGirl | January 25, 2011 at 09:39 AM
I heard great things, I would like to participate, I will still buy the book since I am too late.
Posted by: Carolina Book Stacks | January 25, 2011 at 10:11 AM
I would love to read this and participate : )
Posted by: Lori Barnes | January 25, 2011 at 02:22 PM