THE BOOK CLUB

A few years ago we were in the midst of the paperwork for our move to Santa Barbara which necessitated a trip there. After taking care of housing details, we stopped in at a Peets coffee shop for a caffeine renewal before we had to get back on the freeway for the 100 mile drive home southward through LA. We were sitting back discussing the day and enjoying the good coffee and the break, when we noticed a young woman sitiing nearby reading a book we had both recently finished. The book was The House of Sand and Fog by Andre Dubus which was subsequently made into a fascinating movie. We had enjoyed the book and since in both our opinions it was the sort of story that elicited a lot of emotions in the reader, we were curious to see what she thought of it. She responded by telling us that she had just started it so hadn’t quite formed opinions about it yet. The book was “assigned” reading for that month with her book club. We chatted a little longer, with us telling her a little about the plot without giving it away, and she told us a little about herself. Her name was Jessica and she lived in Santa Barbara, close to the location to which we were moving. She worked at D'Angelo Bakery near the harbor area of the city, which in addition to the working harbor is a big tourist area because of the proximity to the beach and number of hotels there. Since as visitors we had stayed in that area frequently, we were very familiar with the bakery and had often breakfasted there. The quality and selection of the bread and rolls was so delightful that we often also stopped to buy some to take home with us We then told her why we were there that day and she gave me her name and phone number and said when we moved into town I should contact her and perhaps I would be interested in joining her book club.

I had never been a member of a book club but it seemed like a pleasant way to fill time in my new place. What better way to meet people, I reasoned. Having other people select books also had some appeal because I figured that I would have exposure to books I might not read otherwise. It was a few months before we were settled into our new house but shortly after that I contacted Jessica about getting together, which we did. She told me all about the book club; it was comprised of about 12 women who met once a month in the evening at different host houses. The host would provide dinner and refreshments and would choose the book for the next time. She told me what the current book they were reading was The Thirteen Pleasures by Robert Hellenga and invited me to the next gathering to see how I liked it, and presumably, if they liked me.

I found the book at the library and when I read it found it to be intriguing, and something I probably would have overlooked if not for the book club. After finishing it I then looked for more by the same author because I had enjoyed it so much. So now I was prepared for the book club meeting the following month which would be hosted by my new friend, Jessica.

It took me only a few minutes to get to Jessica’s house from mine. Being single, she shared with a couple of roommates, male and female. The house was casual, not particularly decorated but just comfortable. Two sofas were placed around a large low square table which is where put our wine glasses and when we got our dinner, that as well. There was light conversation as members arrived, and I was introduced to each one, promptly forgetting each name of course. However a nice glass of wine and a congenial atmosphere will go a long way towards making anyone relaxed so in no time I was comfortable entering into the conversation as best I could.

The age range was 30 to 60 roughly, with most in the younger edge of the category. Professions ranged from writers to waitresses to therapists to students. All seemed very attractive, fit and interesting and interested. Some were married, some not. Some had children small or grown, some not. The core group had been meeting for a few years so knew a lot of each others history, and it showed in their conversation and ease with each other. Dinner came and was, fortuitously, vegetarian lasagna served with bread so it wasn’t necessary for me to tell anyone I did not eat meat.
After our meal we got to the book club part. It was pretty open-ended with each person giving their opinion of the book in no particular format. With one person it might be a character and another might focus on a particular detail or the setting. As I said, no real format. I found out later that there was a list or agenda of possible discussion topics that was followed by some though obviously not by all. Still it was fun and I got to know some new people so it was successful as far as I was concerned.

I went to more meetings in the next months, all following the same pattern. I got to know more of the women and hear stories about boyfriends, babies, and personal successes. We had a mini-scandal and loss when one of them, Lisa, in my opinion one of the most lovely and accomplished of the group, found that out her husband was sleeping with her best friend. Lisa was a free-lance writer and almost overnight packed up her child and moved to the Bay area where her mother lived, leaving her faithless husband in the lurch.

Each meeting was its own experience since besides different books each was held at a different house each of which, reflecting its owner, had its own individual sense of thought-out style and comfort.. Each one featured that host’s preferred menu which varied from soup to multiple appetizers to pasta, but always a glass of wine. High on the list of my favorite things is wine, bread and books, not necessarily in that order so it was an enjoyable interlude in my life.

The Christmas gathering was held at Diane’s in her small cozy house located down a winding lane near the Santa Barbara foothills. In addition to the more usual Christmas trimming, she and her daughter had decorated with dozens of candles of all types and sizes lit throughout the house, giving the rooms a magical glow. The book we discussed for that particular meeting has faded into memory but I do distinctly remember the meal we had. It was simple and colorful and amazingly delicious, consisting of tureens of bright red chunky, slightly spicy tomato soup, served alongside platters of grilled cheese sandwiches. These were not your Kraft slices on Weber’s bread from your childhood sandwiches. Nope, these were made with fabulous cheeses such as nutty gruyere, smoky provolone and tangy goat cheese, grilled on fresh chunky artisanal country bread. Scattered on the dining table were small bowls of olives of various colors and flavors. It was such a simple but elegant holiday meal that I thought about it for weeks after. I wanted to serve that sometime to my guests and have them enjoy the great flavors and contrast provided with that simplicity. I knew I could do the grilled cheese; there I was only limited by my imagination and availability of good breads and cheeses. What I couldn’t figure out was the tomato soup. What made it so good, so memorable? I asked my hostess for the recipe and with some hesitation she sent it to me via e-mail saying “this is how I made the soup for book club, I think”.

So here is the Book Club Tomato Soup, unabridged the way I make it at least once during the year, ideally during cooler weather. It makes a great winter’s night dinner, accompanied by crusty hot grilled cheese sandwiches to dip into the soup, and a flavorful glass of wine.

No one is ever disappointed by this meal.

Book Club Tomato Soup

1 yellow or sweet onion, chopped fine
1 minced garlic clove
1 tomato, chopped
6 basil leaves, torn
1 28 oz can chopped tomatoes
1 jar marinara sauce – 16 oz.
2 cups vegetable broth
½ tsp marjoram or oregano
½ cup dry white wine
salt and pepper to taste

Caramelize (or slowly cook) the onion approximately 20 minutes then add the minced garlic and sauté another minute or so
Add remaining ingredients except for fresh tomato and cook approximately 45 minutes on med heat adding a little cold water if soup seems too thick
5 minutes before serving, add fresh tomatoes, basil and salt and pepper to taste

6 -8 servings