Sugar & Spice
Always Reading Somethin’ & You Got That Right!
August 2012
Words from Our President
Happy Summer everyone. I hope each of you are enjoying this wonderful summer we are having. If you are traveling this summer, I wish you safe travels. If you are like me, staying home this summer, I hope you are taking full advantage of the many heat waves we are experiencing this summer. We may be taking a mini vacation from our monthly meetings but we are all encouraged to continue reading and networking.This month’s newsletter will recap our last monthly meeting. There will also be links to upcoming events. My 2012 summer reads will also be listed. And like I have done in the past I will email out questions for each book, and the person the responds with answers will receive a gift. We will soon start preparing for our 2013 Champagne & Chocolate Event and our 10th year anniversary celebration. If you have any ideas bring them to the next meeting. We would like everyone’s participation.
See you all soon & keep reading!!!!!
Alicia
Thoughts on Book of the Month
Five Smooth Stones by Ann Fairbairn is an epic love story set against the tumultuous Civil Rights Era. My mother purchased this book when it was first published in 1966 and has held on to her copy ever since. With the passage of time, the pages have yellowed and the cover has become worn and tattered. When my sister, Ashanti, picked it up last year she repaired the cover with scotch tape and began reading. Once she finished, she gave me strict instructions to read it. Suffice it to say, I was not disappointed. It was so gripping and it had such a visceral effect on me. That is why I suggested it for Sugar & Spice.
Although this is not Christian literature, it spoke to my spiritual side. There are parallels to biblical stories throughout. Racism, as it is used in Five Smooth Stones, I think, is just a metaphor for the giant Philistine, Goliath, who was toppled by an Israelite teenager named David who used a slingshot as his weapon.
While the book is long, it is well-developed with richly written characters. Ann Fairbairn is a wordsmith who invites the reader into a world
filled with sadness and joy with plenty of highs and lows. Now, so many decades since the Civil Rights Era, she reminds us that we, as Black Americans, have come a very long way, but we should not take any of our progress granted.
Wilbur
September’sBook of the Month
Five Smooth Stones
By Ann Fairbairn
Book synopsis: This gripping bestseller, first published in 1966, has continued to captivate readers with its wide-ranging yet intimate portrait of an America sundered by racial conflict. David Champlin is a black man born into poverty in Depression-era New Orleans who makes his way up the ladder of success, only to sacrifice everything to lead his people in the civil rights movement. Sara Kent is the white girl who loves David from the moment she first sees him, and who struggles against his belief that a marriage for them would be wrong in the violent world he has to confront. And the “five smooth stones” are those the biblical David carried against Goliath. By the time this novel comes to its climax of horror, bloodshed, and hope, readers will be convinced that its enduring popularity is fully justified.
Last Month’s Meeting
We had our Annual Open House in June at Deja Vu Book Lounge in Harlem. We had a great meeting and would like to thank the owner of Déjà Vu Book Lounge Deborah Cardona for opening her doors and allowing us to host our event there. The lounge is beautiful and has a lot to offer so please take the time to check it out and let her know that Sugar & Spice recommended her. The meeting was hosted by Tatia, Dad, Suzie, Michelle and Annie and they did an excellent job. We received lovely gift bags with beach items that came right in handy for this hot summer. We discussed the book of the month Keeper of Keys by Bernice McFadden and everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy the book. There was also entertainment in the house so we were able to have great discussions, delicious food and great entertainment! A great time was had by all.
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Recipe of the Month:
Grilled Shrimp Kabobs
Ingredients:
Jumbo raw shrimp (16-20 count), peeled and deveined
Fresh pineapple, peeled and cut into large chunks
Red & green bell peppers, cut into pieces
Red onions, peeled and cut into wedges
Salt & Pepper
Seafood seasoning
Green onions, minced
Marinade
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoonof Dijon mustard
2 teaspoon honey
1 large clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Melted Butter
Wood skewers, soaked in water
Directions:
Prepare the grill.
Mixed the marinade and set it to the side.
Place bell peppers, onions, pineapples and shrimp on skewers.
Season with salt, pepper and seafood seasoning.
Place kabobs onto grill and brush with marinade.
Cook 3-5 minutes per side or until shrimp are pink and have curled brushing each side with marinade as you turn them.
Enjoy!
Upcoming Literary Events
Black Authors & Readers Rock Weekend
Oct.19-20, 2012 Hosted by The Reading Divas Book Club
3rd Annual Fall Into Books Literary Conference
Sept. 14-16, 2012
Brooklyn Book Festival Friday September 28-30, 2012 in Brooklyn, NY
Summer Reading
Victoria Christopher Murray “Destiny Divas”
Daniel Black “They Tell Me of a Home”
Rochelle Alers “Summer Vows”
Upcoming Meetings
September –Hosted by Ashanti and Wilbur, Book -FIVE SMOOTH STONES BY ANN FAIRBAIRN – Change of Date: Our meeting will be held Saturday, September 22, 2012
October –
November - BOOK CLUB HOST THE MEETING
December - CHRISTMAS GATHERING
Reminders
Please don’t forget to get your school book bag to Tatia. Sugar & Spice prides itself on giving back to the community and this is just one way we can help those in need.
Sugar & Spice Cookbook: This will be a fundraiser. Members are asked to submit his or her recipe. You can go online and add your recipe.
All members are asked to insure Tawanna has a valid email address so you can receive Book Club Information. Please do not forget to review the books and post the reviews on amazon.com or barnesandnobles.com.
Please remember to visit us on Facebook.
Sugar and Spice is on Twitter. If you want to post something about the great things we are doing, you can access the account by going to
The username: sandsbkclub. Please email Tawanna or Alicia for the password.
Birthdays
Tatia – September 23
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