Welcome book clubs!
I love meeting with Book Clubs, either in person (in New York City) or via Skype. We'll talk about writing, parenting, secrets, living with disability, crazy Italian families, basically everything and anything. We will also laugh our asses off.
Contact me to set it up!
Here are a whole bunch of bonus material to take your Now I See You book club meeting to a whole new level
Welcome book clubs!
I love meeting with Book Clubs, either in person (in New York City) or via Skype. We'll talk about writing, parenting, secrets, living with disability, crazy Italian families, basically everything and anything. We will also laugh our asses off.
Contact me to set it up!
Here are a whole bunch of bonus material to take your Now I See You book club meeting to a whole new level
NOW I SEE YOU MUSIC PLAY LIST
What book club meeting would be complete without a little light (and not so light) night music? Click here for all the fixings for a Now-I-See-You-themed playlist! Your mind will be blown by how many hits there are that relate to light, darkness, blindness or eyes -- or are sung by blind musical artists (seriously, it's kind of a thing) .
What book club meeting would be complete without a little light (and not so light) night music? Click here for all the fixings for a Now-I-See-You-themed playlist! Your mind will be blown by how many hits there are that relate to light, darkness, blindness or eyes -- or are sung by blind musical artists (seriously, it's kind of a thing) .
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BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION GUIDE
1. The story begins when, at 19, Nicole is surprised to discover that she has an incurable degenerative retinal disease. Have you ever been blindsided by bad news? Do you think it makes it easier to cope with news if you see it coming and can prepare yourself emotionally or do you think there’s a blessing in being blissfully unaware, and having no warning? 2. In response to what Nicole calls “the death sentence” slapped on her eyes, she draws up a bucket list of all the things she wants to see before she goes blind. Have you ever had an experience that brought you face to face with your mortality or suddenly reminded you how precious something you’d taken for granted was, whether it’s your life, health, vision, family or financial stability? If you found out you were going blind tomorrow, what items would be on your visual bucket list? 3. Within a few weeks of her diagnosis, Nicole decides she should keep her vision loss private. What motivates her to make this decision? Do you think it’s the right one? How would the story have unfolded differently had she not opted to keep the vision loss under wraps? 4. Who’s your favorite character in the larger-than-life Italian-American family Nicole hails from? Why? What were the specific details that made the characters really come to life, the moments in which you felt like they jumped off the page and felt real to you? 5. Nicole’s initial response to the diagnosis is shock, confusion and paralysis, but after some consideration she comes to see it as an imperative to seize the day. How do you think you’d respond, were you in Nicole’s shoes? Do you think her age played a part in the way in which she responded? Are there any situations you handled one way in your teens or twenties that you think you’d handle differently now? 6. Shakespeare said, “The course of true love never did run smooth,” and this is certainly the case, initially, with Nicole and David. What were the biggest bumps in their road to love? Do you believe in love at first sight and if so, do you think that label applies here? Why do you think the couple finally cements their union while in Tennessee; is it coincidence or does it sometimes take being outside one’s comfort zone to open up? 7. At 23, Nicole, whose never lived outside of NYC, moves to Los Angeles with David, and it turns out to be exciting, though difficult, for her to be on such terra nova. What do you think are the benefits to be gained when a young person leaves the roost and sets out on their own? What do you think Nicole learns during her years in LA? Were you surprised that her family let her go without too much protest? What do you think this act says about these characters? 8. When Nicole’s first child is born, she writes, “I cried like it was me bring born, and in a way, of course, it was.” In which way is Nicole re-born when she becomes a mother? Do you feel like you were re-born, or at least, re-invented, with the birth of your child? 9. Nicole describes the terror of losing her toddler Rosa at the playground, an experience that while, in reality, only lasted a minute or two, felt like it lasted an eternity. Have you lost track of your young child in a crowded public space and if so, how did you respond? Do you think Nicole portrays the experience accurately? What measures, if any, could she take to prevent this if she were more honest about her condition? 10. At first, Nicole considers her hidden vision loss am “omission” and not a “lie.” Do you think there is a difference between the two? What was the point at which you thought her passive omission became an active lie? Why do you think she continues to keep her blindness a secret, despite the fact that it grew harder and harder to keep hidden? 11. The decision whether or not to have a third child is one that Nicole and David weigh very carefully; have you ever faced a decision like that? How did you ultimately solve it? Do you think men and women approach the making of big, personal decisions differently? 12. What do you think is the message of the book? Was there a specific moment or scene that vividly brought this message home? |
HOST A NOW I SEE YOU DINNER . . .
WITH NONNY'S (FORMERLY) SECRET RECIPES Each recipe feeds about four. Please be advised measurements are approximations as Nonny hasn't used a measuring spoon in roughly 75 years, relying instead on the "put enough in so it looks right" method of cooking.
NONNY'S MARINARA SAUCE Heat 2-3 tbs olive oil in a saucepan Sauté one small onion, chopped Sauté 2-3 cloves diced garlic When the garlic's light pink, add 2 large cans of crushed tomatoes Cook sauce, uncovered, on low for 20 min, stirring occasionally Add fresh basil After 15 more minutes, add fresh parsley and a bay leaf Salt and pepper to taste MEATBALLS Take 1 1/2 lb of chopped meat Add 2-3 cloves of diced garlic & chopped parsley & 2 eggs, beaten & 2 tbs pecorino cheese & wet bread (take 3 slices of white bread in milk, wringing it out if too wet, and tear into tiny pieces) & salt and pepper to taste & 2 tbs of plain breadcrumbs Roll the meat into small balls Fry in vegetable on medium heat until lightly browned Add to sauce, cook for two hours RICEBALLS Cook one cup of Carolina rice Mix in 5 tbs of marinara sauce to the rice (if it's too watery, strain the rice) Add one beaten egg & pecorino sauce to taste & salt and pepper Put aside one bowl with beaten eggs and one bowl with breadcrumbs seasoned with diced garlic, dried parsley, salt and pepper When the rice is fully cooled, spread a generous amount in your palm, add 4-5 small cubes of mozzarella in the center and roll rice closed, into an oval shape Dip the oval rice ball in egg, then in breadcrumbs Fry over high in vegetable oil CAULIFLOWER FRITELLE Cut and clean cauliflower, removing stems Boil them until medium spot Take 1 1/2 cup of flour, add warm water slowly until it is the consistency of pancake batter add 1/4-1/2 tsp of baking powder & salt and pepper & pecorino to taste Mix cauliflower into the batter Drop by spoon onto heated oil to fry STUFFED MUSHROOMS Clean mushrooms and remove stem Season plain breadcrumbs with diced garlic, parsley, pecorino, salt and pepper Chop stems and saute for a few minutes in olive oil and a little red wine Add the stems to breadcrumb mixture Stuff mushrooms with mixture Coat the bottom of baking pan with water Drizzle with olive oil and cook in oven at 375 degrees, for 15 minutes |
