Retirement affords time to do those things I’ve been meaning to get around to doing, and one of them is attending more virtual author events. As I searched for upcoming opportunities, I discovered that Barnes and Noble has a Mystery Lunchtime series, and I signed up to hear Raphael Montes discuss his latest book – The Secret Dinner. I hopped on to order the book, only to discover that it would not be released until two days prior to the event. That left one option: Audible. Neither my small town library nor our local bookstore would have the book available in hard copy in time for me to get it.
One of my daughters decided to join in on the book talk Thursday and reminded me on Tuesday, release day, by text: Do you have your audio? Today’s the day! I used an Audible credit and began listening. I was not prepared for the ride of this book.
Jeneva Rose, American author of thrillers, moderated the discussion. She introduced the book and the author, and the discussion began. She asked questions of the author, including the ones we added to the Q&A.
With such a dark subject matter in this book, I was not expecting the laughter and joy of this author. I enjoyed his Brazilian accent and his way of putting things in such an enjoyable way, and I enjoyed the time reading the same book with one of my daughters and having the time to talk about it with others. Even though we are many states away, it’s a great way family members can share our common love of reading and participate in book clubs together even if we aren’t sitting around a bookshop on couches to talk about what we loved most about a book. And what we liked least about it, too.
reading has a way
of reaching across the miles
to keep our hearts close
Common Threads 
Mim,
I love, love, love your haiku. I feel a bit like a dunce for not thinking about virtual book clubs until reading your post. Did you like the book? I’m assuming it’s horror, not my favorite genre. But I’d read a book outside my preferred genres if it meant time bonding w/ a child. Maybe the next B&N talk will be a different genre.
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Glenda, that’s not one I would pick if I had known the dark subject matter. It was as disturbing as it gets. However, I will say that the Audible narration was superb – and this can make or break a book. It’s not one I would read again for sure, nor could I recommend it. But getting to participate in the book talk and “meeting” Jeneva and Raphael, both masters of the thriller, were treats in the literary dessert category. The world needs more virtual book clubs. I’d like one with living poets.
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A book club w/ living poets might be something to suggest to Brian Rihr.
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That is a great idea! Or we could just start one….
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