J.W. Bull's Pickin' Tomatoes Book Club

Claiming 1st Prize in the 2012 Shirley You Jest Fiction Book Awards, J.W. Bull's Pickin' Tomatoes was ripe for review.  Deemed a romantic comedy, I found there was so much more to be found in the pages of this novel. . . self-discovery, overcoming loss, and the necessity of genuine friendship.
Not only was a smile spread across my face as I sat reading during my daughters' dance class, but tears flowed, too, during a young protagonist's dialogue with her mother, losing a battle with breast cancer:

"Momma?  You don't feel so good?"  I whispered as I peeked from behind Daddy's legs.  The hospital was a scary place with weird smells and lots of whiteness.  Where were all the colors?  Momma stretched out her hand to me.  I crept around Daddy and put my hand in hers.  It felt dry and warm.  "Sometimes even mommies get sick, Maggie,"  she replied in a voice that didn't sound like her.  (Loc 548 of 3590 Kindle) 

as well as a first-time pregnant woman at the deathbed of her father:

For a time, we stayed like that, curled up in the hospital bed together.  Joined by memories and hearts.  Until I felt his body begin to relax and his eyes closed.
And he went home to Momma.  (Loc 1477 of 3590 Kindle)

Thus, the anecdotes sprinkled throughout such as:  "Finding Mister Right is like washing dishes.  Just when you think he's squeaky clean- bam!  You find dried up, crusty old egg on him"  (Loc 42 of 3590 Kindle) kept the pace of this work moving right along.  In addition to the various literacy elements interspersed throughout, J.W. Bull offers the reader easy-to-decipher, mouthwatering recipes sure to please any food lover.
So, for the purposes of book club, assign one recipe found at the back of Pickin' Tomatoes to each bookie.  This way everyone has a chance to sample each delicacy written about and compare ease of execution with the main character, Maggie Malone.  Food for the mind and body. . .  Pickin' Tomatoes is a win win!

J.W. Bull

Cultivating Radiance Book Club

     Whew!  Having just turned the final page of Tamara Gerlach's Cultivating Radiance, I can honestly say you cannot estimate the time it takes to read a book simply by the number of its pages.  At first glance, I thought 180+ pages would be an engaging weekend read.  However, a weekend read stretched to a two-week self-discovery adventure.  Yet, since the theme of the novel, "cultivating radiance," is actually an on-going process, I know that I will revisit, reread, and review as needed.
     Cultivating Radiance is divided into short chapters which end in homework assignments comprised of a Discovery Question, an Activity, directed Gratitude work, and a Mantra for memorization.
     Each chapter is sprinkled with anecdotes, biographical contributions as well as Ms. Gerlach's honest recollections as proof of the author's authentic requests of her audience.
     For book club, this is an ideal choice for weekly study groups, an on-line book club, or a monthly book club that checks in with one another on a weekly basis.  Some homework assignments may be completed together such as attempting meditation (think The Center in Glen Carbon, IL), cooking healthy with local ingredients from a farmer's market (think Fournie Farms in Collinsville, IL), or participating in your first 5K (think A Signature Hollywood Salon's Annual Running with Scissors).  Perhaps, your book club members will register as a group for a Women's Retreat (I'm in!).   Whatever tickles your fancy, attempt an activity which lies beyond your norm in order to experience Cultivating Radiance.

Tamara Gerlach