In the words of Andy Williams, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” No, Christmas did not come early. And it is not even my birthday (yet). But it is the month in which I get to experience the literary equivalent of scoring a Kate Spade clutch for 93% off: It is my month to host book club.
The wait I endure each year for this beautiful opportunity takes about as long as growing a baby does, but with less heartburn. Alas, the waiting is over, and the timing couldn't be more perfect, because I have just discovered the ideal place to host: Books & Brews.
The wait I endure each year for this beautiful opportunity takes about as long as growing a baby does, but with less heartburn. Alas, the waiting is over, and the timing couldn't be more perfect, because I have just discovered the ideal place to host: Books & Brews.
This unassuming pub is tucked away in a North-side strip mall at 96th & Bash and specializes in (aside from the obvious) full calendars and local eats. With the help of a successful Kickstarter campaign, husband and wife owners serve up home-brewed beverages amidst live music, used books, and tabletop games. Boasting a book club of its own, Books & Brews caters Monday nights to local book lovers with large tables and literary discussions.
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The venue is split into two sections: bookstore in the front; pub in the back. The used books are ripe for browsing, and if you buy your reading material there, local adult- and family-literacy organization Indy Reads receives 10% of the proceeds. The pub section has more of a warehouse-like atmosphere that could stand to add some warm tablecloths and wall decor, but they have clearly perfected their beers. The At the Mountains of Maltness pilsner went down velvety smooth and paired perfectly with a sweet and salty pile of Broad Ripple Chip Co. potato crisps. Their menu also offers a variety of literature inspired small plates, ranging from a Fair Oaks Farm Gouda and Hamlet sandwich to a kid-friendly Very Hungry Caterpillar PB&J.
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So yes, my book club reads more than wine labels; we read beer labels too.
But in addition to sharing this literary pub find with you all, I have a rather large task at hand that I’d like your help with: I must choose a book! After much thought and a little help from my newly-reactivated Goodreads account, I have narrowed down the choices to two lucky contestants:
 | Waterland by Graham Swift Waterland appears to be a work of literary historical fiction about a middle-aged history professor (and his ancestors) who is questioning everything he knows. It won the Booker prize in 1983 and sounds like a unique, haunting read. |
 | The Bone People by Keri Hulme My colleague recommended this with the disclaimer that it is pretty heavy (beyond its 450-page heft). It purports to be an unusual piece of contemporary fiction about love, child abuse, and mystery. The first reviewer on Goodreads mentions she read this book 11 times, which indicates either incredibly poor reading comprehension or a pretty darn compelling story line. |
Which one sounds best to you, either by experience or just by the summaries? Vote for your favorite by commenting below and I’ll tally the votes on Friday and reveal the winner!
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