Book Club Girl - Book Group Recommendations, Reading Group Guides, Audio Book Club Podcasts

Pre-Order How to Eat a Cupcake by Meg Donohue and Get an Exclusive Recipe for Meyer Lemon Cupcakes!

Today's guest post comes from Mary of William Morrow Paperbacks about the debut novel, How to Eat a Cupcake. Read on for her thoughts about the book, cupcakes, and a special pre-order offer from the author Meg Donohue!

When reading How to Eat a Cupcake, the descriptions of cupcakes made my mouth water. I've always been something of a baked goods aficionado, so I swooned over her descriptions of organic pear and chai tea cupcakes, or vanilla ginger buttercream, or pink lemonade cupcakes, or...you get the idea. So when I heard that Meg's friend Alyce Sheilds, pastry chef at San Francisco's acclaimed Bar Bambino, had developed a Meyer lemon cupcake recipe inspired by the ones mentioned in the book, I knew I had to try it.

And let me tell you: these were some of the best and simplest cupcakes I've ever made. The lemon flavor came from fresh zest, as well as a quick and easy lemon syrup that I brushed over the top of the cupcakes as soon as they came out of the oven. And even though my grocery store didn't carry Meyer lemons, I used regular lemons instead and the cupcakes still tasted amazing. The mascarpone frosting was divine--rich and creamy, but lighter than a traditional cream cheese frosting (and so much easier to make).

You won't be able to find this recipe online anywhere, but if you pre-order How to Eat a Cupcake before the on sale date of March 13th, Meg will email it to you! Just email hellomegdonohue AT gmail DOT com with "I Pre-ordered" in the subject line, and she'll email you the recipe for Meyer lemon cupcakes with mascarpone frosting, developed exclusively for How to Eat a Cupcake readers by Alyce Shields of Bar Bambino.

For more with Meg Donohue, visit her website, read her blog, become a fan on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter. Make sure to check out the reading group guide and Meg's tour schedule.



The Progressive Dinner Party Begins!

I'm excited to be part of this week's Progressive Dinner Party, especially because I'm participating in the appetizer course at the beginning of the week and then I can just sit back and absorb the rest of the great recipes as they roll in! My contribution to the appetizer course is Stilton & Watercress Spread. I found this recipe years ago in Bon Appetit magazine and have made it every year for the holidays. Last year was probably the first time that I didn't make it, but I had just had a baby in early December, so my family was lucky to find gifts under the tree and Christmas cookies. :) While we're not having our huge blowout party this year, I do plan to make it again to have on hand when friends stop by. It's great the day you make it, but also throughout a holiday week. So, without further ado, I give you:

Stilton & Watercress Spread

5 oz. stilton cheese (or blue cheese) crumbled
4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature (whipped)
5 tbsp. butter, room temperature
1 bunch watercress, stems trimmed, leaves chopped
2 green onions, finely chopped
1/4 c. finely toasted walnuts, chopped (I put a 1/4 cup unchopped walnuts in the oven at abt 350 degrees until I can smell them, then take them out and chop in the food processor)

Mix stilton cheese, cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl until blended. Mix in watercress, onions and nuts. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon into a small bowl, cover, and chill (can be made one day ahead). Bring to room temperature before serving. Serve with crackers.

Check out Dana's Scrap Therapy to try out her Cheese Dip and visit Epibloguer for her Creamy Artichoke Dip (which is one of my absolute faves). And be sure to visit the Book Blog Social Club to check out all the delicious foods that are being "served" at this week's Progressive Dinner Party!

Book Blogger Appreciation Week Continues with an Interview with Fellow Book Blogger Chocolate & Croissants!

Herewith my interview with Esme from the wonderful book and food blog, Chocolate & Croissants! Head on over there for great recipes and book giveaways, and to read her interview with me (as soon as I answer those questions). Thanks Esme for being my Book Blogger Appreciation Week Interview partner!

^{BCG: WHAT GAVE YOU THE IDEA TO START BLOGGING, AND WHEN YOU DID, DID YOU KNOW FROM THE BEGINNING YOUR BLOG WOULD BE ABOUT BOTH FOOD AND BOOKS?}
C&C: I started blogging almost 2 years ago. I had had surgery and was off from work for a prolonged period of time. I was quite limited in what I could do and surfing the internet was the one preoccupation I could enjoy. I started discovering food blogs and was quite enthralled by them. That was my beginning. Books and cooking are two of my passions so I thought that I would combine both of these pleasures. Initially I only listed books I liked and then this past year I started posting reviews of books.

HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE NAME? 
Paris is my favorite city. I love going to Paris and wandering the streets.  Every morning I enjoy a croissant with butter and jam along with a pot of tea. If you have ever been to Angelina's they have the richest thickest hot chocolate. It is like drinking a melted chocolate bar. On my last visit to Paris I  did a chocolate house and pastry shop tour, walking the city indulging in my whims for chocolate and pastries. Chocolate and Croissants are two of many wonderful delights Paris has to offer.

DO YOU HAVE A BACKGROUND IN THE CULINARY ARTS?
Unfortunately not. I went to law school. However I dream all the time of going to culinary school. My enjoyment for cooking started as a child. As the eldest child I was responsible for getting dinner started before my parents came home. My dad would leave step by step instructions for me to follow.  I have always enjoyed reading and started reading the back of the spice bottles and from there I started experimenting with my family adding new spices to our dinner.

YOU HAVE TRAVELED EXTENSIVELY, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE COUNTRY THAT YOU HAVE VISITED-AND WHAT COUNTRY WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO VISIT?
Favorite for what? I would probably say India-it appealed to all of my scences-the women's saris are gorgeous-the country is a kaleidoscope of color, in Jodpur is the old blue city, the walls are painted a deep blue.  Everywhere you walk you can smell food being cooked in the streets, chaos is everywhere on the streets, with people walking, monkeys running around, elephants being led. On the Ganges River it was unbelievably peaceful, with the melody of music drifting across the water.

In MY EARLY 20s I REALIZED THAT ONE COULD ACTUALLY READ COOKBOOKS NOT JUST USE THEM AS "HOW TOS' AND FOUND MYSELF READING VARIOUS RECIPES AT NIGHT.  DO YOU EVER READ COOKBOOKS THIS WAY, FOR PLEASURE AND IF SO , WHAT ARE YOU FAVORITES?
I love laying in bed reading my cookbooks, Glorious French Food by James Peterson, Martha Stewart Hor's Oeuvres Cookbook, The American Country Bed and Breakfast Cookbook, Secrets of the red Lantern and the Dragon.

MY SISTER HAS LONG MAINTAINED THAT ONE IS EITHER A BAKER OR A COOK AND YOU CANNOT EXCEL AT BOTH.  DO YOU BELIEVE THIS? AND IF SO, WHICH ONE ARE YOU?
I agree with your sister to a certain degree. They are two different skills, bakers I think need more finesse and patience. I am probably more of a cook, I cook dinner 5 nights a week. My husband laughs that I am always experimenting with new recipes and when he really likes something it is awhile before it makes the rounds again. I wish that I had the patience to pretty delicate pastries but it is not really me.

WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS OF THE NON-COOKBOOK VARIETY?  YOUR FAVORITE GENRES?
Lisa See, Michelle Moran, Daniel Silva, Indu Sundaresan and Amy Tan. Favorite genres-memoirs, multi-cultural fiction, historical novels and thrillers-I enjoy Daniel Silva, chick lit when the mood hits.

ARE YOU IN A BOOK CLUB AND IF SO, DO YOU BRING THE FOOD?
Sadly no, I was in a club and then it just fell apart. I am the one who brings food to the events.  Some of my friends will call in advance and ask if they can special order-which I take as a real compliment.

WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE BIGGEST BOOK/FOODIE MOVIE OF THE YEAR, JULIE AND JULIA?
I enjoyed My life in France and was intrigued by Julie Powell's book.  I probably read only 20 pages of the book and packed it in. I think there are probably many stories like hers out there--interesting that Hollywood chose hers.

WHAT'S BEEN THE MOST SURPRISING THING YOU HAVE LEARNED SINCE YOU STARTED BLOGGING ABOUT YOURSELF OR OTHER PEOPLE?
...and I thought that I read alot-there are a lot of voracious readers out there.  I love meeting other female attorneys who have taken a non-traditional legal path.  The kindness of strangers-people you have never met, and you develop a friendship with.

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE BOOK BLOGS?
One Person's Journey through a World of Books
S. Krishna's Blog
Lit Chat
Luxury Reading

WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE FOOD BLOGS?
Baking and Books
Sophie's Foodie Files
Girli Chef
Coco and Me

Read My Guest Post at My Friend Amy's Blog -- Comment Here and You'll Be Entered to Win the Book Club Girl Book Club Hostess Survival Kit!

Read my guest post on how my book group chooses books at My Friend Amy's blog in honor of BBAW. Then, comment on the post here by telling me how your group chooses books and you'll be entered to win the Book Club Girl Book Club Hostess Survival Kit -- everything you need to host book group except the chairs! One lucky winner will receive:

* A basket of cheese, crackers, cookies and wine for up to 12 people
* 5 great book group books to vote on for your group's next pick. And I will then send 12 copies of whichever book is chosen for your entire group to read.
* 12 Book Club Girl mousepads to give out as party favors that night
* 12 Book Club Girl bookmarks to mark everyone's favorite passages
* 12 Book Club Girl coasters to protect your coffee table from all those wine glasses!

Laurie Viera Rigler Recommends Keeping the House -- and Your Book Club Could Win Cookies to Enjoy With It!

Those of you who listened to my book club show with Laurie Viera Rigler, author of Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict, may remember that when she was asked which authors and books she enjoyed, she mentioned Ellen Baker's Keeping the House. Says Rigler "I loved Keeping the House. It's a beautiful, moving novel that is tremendously relevant for our times. It's a multi-generational story that spans two World Wars and post-WWII, and it's about family secrets and what war does to us. I found myself completely engaged in the lives of the various characters." That recommendation is good enough for me and Keeping the House is out in paperback today.

And as if that weren't enough enticement, Baker is currently offering book clubs who adopt Keeping the House in August, September or October the chance to win two dozen Lacy Raisin Wafers to be shipped to your house in time for your meeting! Cookie details here. Baker is also available to call in to reading groups, time permitting, and you can make that request when you enter the cookie contest.

Read the first chapter of Keeping the House here, find discussion questions here and learn more about Baker's inspiration for the story here.

BCG Readers -- I'm Hosting My Book Club Next Week and Need Your Help

Help me readers! I'm hosting my book club next week and am fresh out of ideas of what to serve. We normally serve a few savory and few sweet things at our meetings, so it's not like I need to plan a huge dinner, but I'm just bored by what I've offered in the past. Last year I served pound cake, fresh blueberries and strawberries and freshly whipped cream, along with cheese and crackers and grapes, and of course, wine. What's your favorite dish to serve? I welcome any and all ideas!

Mary Kay Andrews' New Novel Deep Dish is On Sale Now!

BCG favorite Mary Kay Andrews latest novel, Deep Dish, another tale full of Southern sass, wit and charm (not to mention food), is now available! You can listen to a message from Mary Kay here, read an excerpt from Deep Dish here, and then join her in her kitchen as she reads the recipe for Simply Sinful Tomato Soup Chocolate Cake (??!! I'll take her word for it, I look forward to her pound cake every year with much anticipation). MKA is also blogging now, and telling tales from the road as she embarks on her book tour. If she comes near you, do go and see her, you'll have such a fun time.

Sutter Home's Book Club Recommendations

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, reading groups and wine go together. It is the fuel for all our passionte discussions, arguments and declarations. That said, did you know that Sutter Home Wine has a Reading Group section on their website? They partnered with Harper to recommend a whole host of books. Each book recommendation comes complete with a synopsis, author bio, reading group guide, AND food and wine pairings! For Elizabeth Noble's The Reading Group, they suggest (based on what has happened in the novel) a leek and goat cheese quiche with Chardonnay, or a wild mushroom quiche with Pinot Noir, complete with preparation tips. This site is a godsend for the busy book club hostess, which, ahem, I think is all of us.

The Book Club Cookbook

Fall has arrived, the kids are back at school (or at least, will be tomorrow for me) the weather is getting cooler and suddenly, wine and cheese alone doesn't seem like enough for your next book group gathering. Wondering what to prepare when it's your turn to host? The Book Club Cookbook is the best resource to rescue you. Not only is it chockful of recipes, authors Judy Gelman and Vicky Levy Krupp have paired their favorite book club books with appropriately inspired delicacies. Who can resist the sound of:
Ambrosia with To Kill a Mockingbird
Britta's Crab Casserole with The Hours
Honey Cake with The Secret Life of Bees
and, well, here's one last nod to summer: Mint Juleps with The Great Gatsby

Their site is full of resources and ideas for your book group as well. Check it out!

A Perfect Marriage - Reading Groups and Wine

Admit it, a big part of your reading group night is often the wine being served. So why not 'fess up to it and actually spend one of your meetings learning about wine and those who make it? Julia Flynn Siler, author of the newly released The House of Mondavi, is offering herself up to reading groups who select the book. She'll call you on the phone and answer questions about wine and about the fascinating Mondavi family. And be sure to check out her sipping notes-- recommended wines at every price level to serve at your next gathering!