The Holiday Merger Party was a Blast!

I just returned home from our holiday party, and I am so overwhelmed with feelings of joy and gratitude! The party was super fun, and I think everyone went home with at least one book they are excited to read! Even though the White Elephant book exchange got a ~teensy~ bit heated at the end, we all got something interesting (or terryifying - my book has DOGS WITH HANDS). Thank you from the bottom of my heart to my co-leaders, Jessy and Sarah. Jessy, you're such a great friend and I deeply appreciate you stepping up to host the party when my house became unviable. Your spread was delightful and your house is always such a millennial daydream to be in. Sarah, you're my ride-or-die, and I adore your posts to this blog. I also deeply appreciate your record-keeping so that the club can keep running smoothly. It was great to merge the two clubs for a gathering, too! For those who don't know, the other club is called The Book Club that Shall Not Be Named, and we have quite a few members who hop back and forth between clubs! Also represented at this party was our nonfiction delegation, from Jessy's Quarterly Microhistory Book Club. Shoutout to everyone! Let's do this again next year!

Meeting Report: November 2023

Meeting Report: November 2023

Book: "Madame Restell: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Old New York’s Most Fabulous, Fearless, and Infamous Abortionist" by Jennifer Wright

In "Madame Restell" we get a look at the controversial life and times of Old New York's most successful abortionist, from her personal journey to the evolving societal attitudes towards abortion. Jennifer Wright weaves together Madame Restell's early life, her rise to prominence, and the tumultuous events leading to her downfall at the hands of the notorious Anthony Comstock.

In our meeting, we discussed the success Madame Restell had performing abortions without any demonstrated loss of life of any of her patients due to infection, an achievement that was quite unusual for the time. We also discussed some of her choices, particularly around apparently sending the child of one of her patients away to some unknown place (I think it was supposed to be Ohio?), with only the direction of the child's father to go on and to the great lifelong distress of that child's mother. The social context of the time was an interesting conundrum: there was an overabundance of orphaned children in New York City and not enough space in the city's orphanages or willing families to take them in. As a result, many children died of neglect. How society was changing from acceptance to condemnation of Restell's work in providing abortions (a view helped along by Comstock, that dick) when the alternative was already too many children (not to mention women) dying doesn't exactly seem more ethical.

Wright also sprinkled in a few humorous interjections in her writing, such as:

“Mill towns […] offered women financial independence […] Many hoped to earn enough money to provide for a relative, pay a brother’s tuition, or save for their own dowry and then return home. Others intended to get a better education, or to buy the things they wanted for themselves-books! pretty dresses!-with their own money. At least one went because she ‘hate[d] her mother in law,’ which seems fair.”

and:

“Surely the thought of inserting […] boiled garlic into one’s vagina is enough to make a modern woman shudder.”

and:

“You could probably make anyone go anywhere with a whip made out of scorpions.”

Though a few of us noted we would have liked even more of these, a) because they're hilarious and b) they helped to break up an otherwise quite serious (and sometimes infuriating) historical account.

We also discussed the Wikipedia page for Madame Restell [this is the permanent link to my revised version as of this post; the live version is here, and hopefully no one changes it...], which at the time of our meeting suggested Restell's death was most likely to have been murder. This came as a surprise to our group, because Wright's book says it was either suicide per the official ruling of the time, or posits that she may have faked her death and fled to Europe (admittedly a more satisfying ending), but says nothing at all about murder, so what gives?? 

Well, I did some digging into the other Restell biographer (Sharon DeBartolo Carmack*), and my official position is her assertion that Restell was murdered is speculative and not substantiated by multiple mainstream sources per Wikipedia's verifiability policy. Unofficially,† she's a quack who believes in Spiritualist mediums and talking to the dead. I'm not spending money to buy her (possibly self-published‡, another reliability red flag) book to find out what evidence she supposedly has for this claim, and barring any corroboration from reliable sources, I say it's bovine feces.

*If she's gonna cite/brazenly self-promote her own book on Wikipedia, calling her out by name is fair play.

†If she comes at me, this blog was hacked by the angry ghost of Madame Restell. PROVE ME WRONG, SHARON. You're the one who says anyone can be a medium, and that's science.

‡Her imprint for her Restell bio, Scattered Leaves Press, belongs to Warren, CARMACK & Associates. Most of the books they've published are written by either Warren or Carmack. I counted.

Rant over...

Average Goodreads rating from our members (who have rated at the time of this writing): 4.67 stars

Stay tuned for the next recap of our annual December holiday party, and the unveiling of the book list for the next Cycle!

P.S. Reminder that our spin-off microhistory book club meets quarterly--next meeting tentatively scheduled for February 23, 2024. The microhistory readers will next be tackling "Meet Me by the Fountain: An Inside History of the Mall" by Alexandra Lange. If you want to join us for this or any future books, get in touch with Jessy!

Meeting Reports: September, October 2023

Once again, I apologize for my tardiness in recapping our book club meetings. First up is the recap for September:

Book: "Stone Blind" by Natalie Haynes

In "Stone Blind," Natalie Haynes brings a fresh perspective on the myth of Medusa, exploring the life and transformation of the only mortal among the Gorgon sisters. The story delves into Medusa's life and the unjust consequences she faces after a tragic event in Athene's temple. Natalie Haynes revives and reconstructs Medusa's story, highlighting themes of blame, punishment, and the mistreatment of women wronged by powerful men.

We had quite a robust discussion of this book during our meeting, highlighting the emotional impact, humor, and narrative style that make "Stone Blind" an excellent addition to Greek mythology retellings. The book's exploration of Medusa's story challenges traditional narratives and emphasizes the importance of a unique voice in mythology retellings. While I don't recall what everyone said, Miriam and Ashley both wrote thoughtful reviews on Goodreads that I encourage you to read if you haven't already. Some highlights:

Ashley said, "I knew I was going to like this, but I didn't quite expect to like it as much as I did. . . What did she ever do to deserve her fate? Absolutely nothing! She could still be a fun friend with her eyes closed or blindfolded. Let her live her life!" Continuing that while some have critiqued "Stone Blind" as "not having enough Medusa in it, but I actually find this really interesting. . . there isn't really that much to Medusa's story! So what Haynes does here is highlight the absurdity of that, of this person who through no fault of her own ends up in this tragic situation, because of the greed, pettiness, arrogance, and abuses of people more powerful and less thoughtful and caring than she is."

Miriam loved the book, remarking, "This was so good," noting also "how masterful the dialogue is." 

Ashley highly recommends the audio version of the book (a sentiment I [Sarah] agree with, since this is also the method I engaged with the book as well), adding "I recommend having the audiobook at least on hand to listen to every now and then. . . The bit with the crows was probably my favorite humorous scene, and the bit where the narrator 'breaks cover' was pretty powerful because I did not see it coming at all, and I got hit in multiple senses at the same time with the change in style. Extremely effective, is what it is."

Average Goodreads rating from our members: 4.5 stars

Now, moving on to our October book:

Book: "The Only Good Indians" by Stephen Graham Jones

We had a lively discussion about "The Only Good Indians" by Stephen Graham Jones, a novel that blends classic horror with social commentary in a way that leaves a lasting impact. The story follows four American Indian men whose past comes back to haunt them, pushing them into a desperate struggle for survival.

The core of the narrative revolves around a past mistake made by the main characters. They hunted on sacred land reserved for tribal elders and committed various hunting ethics violations, including killing a pregnant female elk. The consequence of their actions, that is, the haunting by the elk-head woman, make for some especially chilling passages.

The final climactic scene focuses on the daughter of one of the main characters. We are compelled to root for her, as she is innocent, and she successfully persuades the vengeful spirit to end the violence. In indigenous lore, the elk-head woman, and other similar deer-woman spirits, typically target only those who have harmed women and children, and while the novel's genre requires suspense, the resolution ultimately aligns with this tradition.

Our meeting also delved into the exploration of masculine identity in indigenous culture and life on the reservation, shedding light on the broader themes that the book tackles. We also discussed the elk-head woman's appearances, whether as human women or in her original elk form, and how this added depth and horror to the story.

"The Only Good Indians" sparked some thoughtful conversations and left us with an appreciation for its nuanced horror and social commentary.

Average Goodreads Rating from our members: 4.2 stars

And finally, our spin-off microhistory book club had its quarterly meeting at the end of August.

Book: "Butts: A Backstory" by Heather Radke

"Butts: A Backstory" by Heather Radke delves into the multifaceted history and cultural significance of our behinds. It's a topic both amusing and thought-provoking.

As Ashley writes in her Goodreads review, "We start with the evolutionary purpose of the butt and then move on to such topics as: Sarah Baartman (“The Hottentot Venus”, and why everything about what happened to her and even that moniker is super racist and tragic); the impact of butts on fashion and the impact of fashion on butts (where did bustles come from? why can you never find a pair of jeans that fit? and why is everything so tragically linked to eugenics?); re-explorations of Josephine Baker, Jennifer Lopez, Sir Mix-A-Lot (“Baby Got Back”), Miley Cyrus (along with a history of twerking), and the Buns of Steel phenomenon."

The book club meeting was an enlightening experience, uncovering the social and historical significance of a body part we often take for granted. "Butts: A Backstory" exceeded our expectations, blending humor, knowledge, and insight into a truly enjoyable read. If you're curious about the profound cultural impact of the derrière, this book is well worth exploring.

Average Goodreads Rating from our members: 4.3 stars

The microhistory readers will next be tackling "Banana: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World" by Dan Koeppel. If you want to join us for this or any future books, get in touch with Jessy!

Stay tuned for the next recap covering our November book selection, and last book for this Cycle!

Book: "Madame Restell: The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Old New York’s Most Fabulous, Fearless, and Infamous Abortionist" by Jennifer Wright

Shoutout: If you're curious what our "sister book club" THIS BOOK CLUB SHALL NOT BE NAMED is up to, Ashley has written some great recaps over there as well!

Meeting Reports: May, June, August 2023

I'm sorry for the delay in sharing our book club recaps; we have three meetings to cover since my last post. Let's start with the recap for May:

Book: "The Penelopiad" by Margaret Atwood

In "The Penelopiad," Margaret Atwood offers a contemporary twist to the ancient story of Penelope, the wife of Odysseus from "The Odyssey." In Homer's original account, Penelope is portrayed as the epitome of a faithful wife who patiently awaits her husband's return. However, Atwood gives Penelope and her twelve maids a voice, exploring what led to the hanging of the maids and revealing Penelope's hidden truths.

Miriam found the book surprisingly enjoyable, stating, "I liked this more than I thought I would!" She particularly appreciated the depth that Atwood added to Penelope's character, as it aligned with her love for the myth. Miriam's sentiment captures the essence of this retelling.

Average Goodreads Rating from our members: 3.5 stars

Now, moving on to our June book:

Book: "The Library at Mount Char" by Scott Hawkins

"The Library at Mount Char" introduces us to Carolyn, a character who isn't quite like the people around her. Raised by a mysterious figure known as Father, Carolyn and her adopted siblings have been steeped in Father's ancient customs, including the secrets within his Library. When Father goes missing, leaving the Library unguarded, Carolyn finds herself in a fierce competition against powerful adversaries for control over all of creation. But in the midst of this battle, Carolyn realizes she's forgotten to protect the things that make her human.

Our book club members had varying reactions to this unique tale. Sarah found the book to be highly engaging despite its bizarreness and extreme violence, describing it as "enjoyable (and funny)." Ashley, who read the book twice, elevated her rating to five stars upon revisiting it, emphasizing its weirdness and the fact that it left a lasting impression. Miriam, in her succinct yet enthusiastic review, exclaimed, "THIS SHIT IS 100% MY JAM." Paige enjoyed the book's blend of dark fantasy, humor, and lore, rating it 4.5 stars. Finally, Lauren appreciated the thought-provoking exploration of godhood but rounded her rating down to 4 stars, mentioning that the prose didn't stand out.

Average Goodreads Rating from our members: 4.25 stars

And finally, our August book:

Book: "Silver Under Nightfall" by Rin Chupeco

In "Silver Under Nightfall," Remy Pendergast, the son of the Duke of Valenbonne, is an elite bounty hunter tasked with hunting rogue vampires. His lineage and the rumors of his vampiric heritage have made him an outcast among his fellow Reapers. When a new and terrifying breed of vampire emerges outside the city, Remy embarks on a solo investigation. However, his path crosses with the warmhearted vampire heiress, Xiaodan Song, and her arrogant fiancé, Zidan Malekh, who may hold the key to combating the mutating virus Rot plaguing the kingdom. Remy's loyalty is put to the test as he navigates his feelings for the vampire couple and reevaluates his family's legacy.

"Silver Under Nightfall" offered an intriguing blend of vampire lore and a complex protagonist in Remy Pendergast. Miriam summed it up well with 'This was... a whole lotta vampires.' Ashley found it quite enjoyable, while I, personally not a fan of the genre, thought it was decent. However, I couldn't help but have numerous unanswered questions (which hopefully will be explored further in the sequel!), and Remy's character didn't entirely resonate with me. Chupeco's world is certainly imaginative with fascinating relationships and an exploration of loyalty and identity. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, those with a penchant for vampire stories are likely to find it captivating.

Average Goodreads Rating from our members: 3.4 stars

I hope everyone had an enjoyable summer!

Stay tuned for our next recap covering our September book selection!

Book: "Stone Blind" by Natalie Haynes

Meeting Report: April 2023

The DCBC met on Sunday, April 30, 2023 to discuss April's book: The Monsters We Defy, by Leslye Penelope (selected by Sarah).

Attendees were: Sarah, Jessy, Miriam, Emily Y, Emily O, Kristyn, and Ashley.

The Monsters We Defy is about Clara Johnson, a young woman living in 1920s Washington, D.C. who can talk to spirits. She uses this gift to help the people who come to her for contacting the right sort of spirit (or Enigma) to intercede on their behalf. Each gift from an Enigma (a Charm) also comes with a price (a Trick) that either sounds benign at first, or the client is so desperate for the Charm that they are willing to pay any price. Clara herself has a Charm and a Trick, bestowed on her by a powerful Enigma known as the Empress.

"'You're just giving her the same deal you got. It's their choice to make it or not. Everyone has a choice.' 'Not always a good one,' Clara grumbled. 'No,' Mama Octavia said sadly. 'Colored folks don't often get good choices, do we?'"

― Leslye Penelope, The Monsters We Defy

Clara's Charm has helped her in the past, in order to get out of jail, but she has vowed to herself that she will never use it again. The Empress speaks to Clara, offering her an opportunity to free herself from her debt, removing both her Charm and her Trick. What the Empress asks in exchange is for Clara to obtain a ring, currently being worn by the wealthiest woman in D.C.'s social scene.

"Enigmas considered their offerings--the Charms and the Tricks--valuable and highly prized and couldn't understand why humans who received them were less than enthused."

― Leslye Penelope, The Monsters We Defy

If this task was as simple as just getting close to the woman and taking it from her, the book would be about four pages long and we would be deprived of the ensuing heist narrative. So of course Clara has to assemble a motley group of characters to pull this off--a jazz musician and his cousin (or brother? I forget), and an aging vaudeville actor who all have spirit debts of their own they want lifted, plus Clara's roommate Zelda, an albino circus runaway, with occasional insights from Mama Octavia, the ghost of Clara's own deceased grandmother.

"'We're not doing that bad,' Zelda replied. 'Haven't been shot, stabbed, or arrested yet. Got out of a pretty righteous scrape down at the garage. Honestly, I ain't had that much fun in years.'"

― Leslye Penelope, The Monsters We Defy

They encounter obstacles at every turn, leading to a final showdown between some of the most powerful spirits in the spirit-realm. There are also cameo appearances from some of the most famous figures of the Harlem Renaissance, including a young Langston Hughes.

“If we must die, O let us nobly die, So that our precious blood may not be shed In vain; then even the monsters we defy Shall be constrained to honor us though dead! —Claude McKay”

― Leslye Penelope, The Monsters We Defy

Our book club discussion touched on many topics: our favorite characters (Zelda and Mama Octavia were favorites), who we would recommend this book to (young or new adult readers), the Enigmas themselves and the concepts of destinies and souls. We didn't arrive at any sort of consensus on what a Destiny is, but it was fun to speculate about them and ponder the ramifications of such on the idea of free will.

Miriam said (in her Goodreads review): "This was so great! It is both historical fiction and slightly historical alternate fiction. I enjoyed this peek into the cultural past, and loved that it doesn’t shy away from discussing issues of race and class while still being a magical story."

Emily O prompted us during our discussion to consider whether the stakes felt high enough to really be satisfying, which was a good part of the discussion and part of why we largely agreed that this sort of book would be a good fit for a young or new adult audience. 

Kristyn (also on GR) said: "Big fan of Harlem Renaissance. Usually not a big fan of magical realism. But this book was delicious. I loved all of it."

“Professor Hansberry taught us about a concept they have in Africa—in Swahili it’s called utu. In Zulu, the word is ubuntu. It translates to ‘humanity,’ but what it really means is ‘community.’ I am because we are. Our humanity is tied together.”

― Leslye Penelope, The Monsters We Defy

I was amused to see this reference to the Zulu word 'ubuntu' and wondering if the author has a background in Computers (Ubuntu is the operating system for Linux, which I know are words for Computer things). Sure enough, in the About the Author section at the end, I learned that Leslye Penelope does in fact have a background in Computer Science. I always love a subtle nerd reference.

Personally, I had a great time reading it and I would love to watch a movie of this or even a monster-of-the-week TV series based in this world.

The Verdict

Taken from the average DCBC member ratings on Goodreads who had marked the book as read and rated at the time of this writing:

The Monsters We Defy: 4.7 stars

Next Month: May 2023: The Penelopiad, by Margaret Atwood (voted on by Committee; i.e. those present at the set-up meeting in December).

The meeting for which I will sadly miss, but I will be back in June! If anyone would like to contribute thoughts or notes on the discussion for a May recap, I would be much obliged and could possibly put a post together.

As always, the full book list for this cycle can be found here.

Meeting Report: March 2023

The DCBC met on Sunday, March 26, 2023 to discuss March's book: The Sentence, by Louise Erdrich (selected by Emily Y).

Attendees were: Emily Y, Miriam, Sarah, Jessy, Ashley, Emily O, Paige, and Ray.

The Sentence centers around Tookie, an indigenous woman in Minneapolis who is working at a small, independent bookstore after serving a prison sentence for unwittingly trafficking drugs on behalf of her friends. The bookstore's "most annoying customer" is Flora, who dies on All Souls' Day of 2019, and who subsequently begins to haunt the bookstore she frequented, and Tookie in particular. The Sentence follows Tookie through the mystery of this haunting, the COVID-19 pandemic, George Floyd's murder and the aftermath, all over the course of the year to All Souls' Day of 2020.

“Small bookstores have the romance of doomed intimate spaces about to be erased by unfettered capitalism."

― Louise Erdrich, The Sentence

'Tookie is an incredibly disarming main character, and she’s wonderfully human' (Miriam's review). We discussed Tookie's relationship to Flora, their shared history, and the sentence in an eerily indestructible book that caused Flora's demise. There were multiple uses of the title throughout the book, from Tookie's prison sentence, to the aforementioned sentence that killed Flora, and:

“There was a sentence people were chanting all over the world now. I can't breathe."

― Louise Erdrich, The Sentence

to name a few. The Sentence was also interesting for taking place during the pandemic, without really being about the pandemic. Just the perspective of a predominantly indigenous community and their experiences living through these recent events. Some of the pandemic thoughts Tookie has are of course 'comical' (Paige's review) in retrospect:

“I wondered if I could make a mask out of a cabbage leaf."

“It seemed like the virus would pass in about a month."

― Louise Erdrich, The Sentence

Some of us thought the book jumped around between too many different things, or was slow to get going. Others of us thought this made for a realistic depiction of how real life doesn't usually follow a neat path. Additionally, this choice on Erdrich's part may have helped underscore the chaotic feel of the year that was 2020. 'The discussion of real events from our own recent history in the world of this book was super cathartic...This book is highly realistic in a perfectly humane way, and doesn’t lose any of the promised whimsy from being so honest.' (Miriam's review) 

We also discussed our general enjoyment of the magical realism Erdrich employs in the 'genuinely spooky ghost interventions,' (Paige's review) like Tookie finding books on the floor, Flora's hand on the light switch, and finally, Tookie feeling as though Flora is trying to unzip her back and climb into her body. (I may have been holding my breath during that last one.)

There was also a discussion about Flora's (adopted) indigenous identity and how this related to her finding out her own ancestor was not actually native at all but a white sadist who targeted native people. This was "the sentence" that evidently sapped Flora of her will to live. And finally the cavalier attitude some supporting characters had to the skeletal remains of an indigenous person they had in their possession, contrasted with the horrified feelings of the native people in the bookstore (which remains were, finally, returned). 

Overall, everyone seemed to like it, at least to some degree! Lastly, as promised:

Pollux's Corn Soup

“[I]t is a corn soup. First he caramelizes fresh-cut sweetcorn, toasting it slowly in a heavy pan, adding onions. Then cubed potatoes tossed lightly in butter, to set a crisp. He adds all of this to a garlicky chicken broth with shaved carrots, cannellini beans, fresh dill, parsley, a dash of cayenne, and heavy cream.”

― Louise Erdrich, The Sentence

Here is the version Sarah made for our book club meeting. I made mine in a crock pot and took a couple of shortcuts to minimize dishes. I made my version vegan and forgot the cayenne (oops). Included some comments for things to try or do differently.

Served enough for about 12, so scale down (or up) accordingly!

Ingredients

A few Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
6 ears of sweet corn, cut from cob
1 sweet onion, diced small
2 medium russet potatoes, cubed small
2 large carrots, diced small (or "shaved")
8 cloves garlic, minced
2 cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
10 cups vegetable (or chicken) broth (It looked like it needed more after 8, but I'd probably scale it back next time and try for a thicker soup.)
2 Tbsp butter (or the plant-based kind)
1 bunch fresh parsley, chopped

1 bunch fresh dill, chopped
1 (8 oz.?) container plant-based sour cream (or the dairy kind, or heavy cream per Pollux's recipe)
Salt, to taste
Cayenne pepper, to taste (I'll have to remember this next time)

Directions

1. In a heavy skillet (or my crock pot using "stove top" setting on high), heat olive oil over medium/medium-high heat and add cut corn. I let mine caramelize while cutting up the rest of my veggies, stirring periodically.

2. Add onion and let this caramelize as well. If I were doing this in a skillet / soup pot combo, I'd probably start a soup pot simmering my garlic in the broth to extract those flavors longer while the skillet is going.

3. Melt butter and toss potato cubes to coat. Toast these as well ("to set a crisp," though I just added mine to the crock pot as I went and they got as toasty as they got. But could also transfer the corn and onions to the broth if they're done caramelizing and try to get the potatoes crispier in the skillet.

4. Add carrots and beans. All the veggies should be in a pot with the broth at this point. I let simmer for about 30 minutes while I washed and chopped the fresh herbs, which I added toward the end and finished with the sour cream (or heavy cream, but I wanted the extra zip from the sour cream). Then add salt and cayenne to taste and serve. 

Tookie doesn't say what, if anything, Pollux serves this with and we enjoyed it on its own, but this soup could be an accompaniment to a larger meal, or could have a salad or bread or even a sandwich on the side. This was a first attempt for me, and as you can tell from the many comments, there are things I would experiment with for the next go-around. If you make it, please experiment and share your culinary adventures in the comments! 

The Verdict

Taken from the average DCBC member ratings on Goodreads who had marked the book as read and rated at the time of this writing:

The Sentence: 4.5 stars

Thank you to Emily Y for hosting!

Next Month: April 2023: The Monsters We Defy, by Leslye Penelope (selected by Sarah).

As always, the full book list for this cycle can be found here.

Meeting Report: February 2023

The DCBC met on Sunday, February 26, 2023 to discuss February's book: The Dead Romantics, by Ashley Poston (selected by Kris).

Attendees were: Miriam, Sarah, Kris, Jessy, Ashley, Lindsay, Paige, and Ray.

The Dead Romantics is a romance novel about a ghostwriter for a famous romance author, Florence Day. The novel begins with Florence meeting with her super handsome new editor, Ben, to try to get an extension on her latest book. Ben, short for Benji, last name I don't recall, could have used a more imaginative name as Ashley noted, given The Dead Romantics, like The Love Hypothesis, has its origins in Reylo fanfic. Florence hasn't been able to write about romance ever since her breakup with Johnny McJerkface (I don't remember his name and I don't care, because he's a Jerkface). Ben, of course, refuses. During our meeting we talked about all the many little conflicts in The Dead Romantics, and the tension of Florence not being able to write because of her breakup was one of several. Then she gets a phone call that her father has passed away and she has to return to Smalltown, where she grew up, to help her family bury him.

“Everything that dies never really goes. In little ways, it all stays.”

― Ashley Poston, The Dead Romantics

Florence hasn't been back to Smalltown for ten years because she helped solve a local crime using her secret super-power of being able to see--and talk to--ghosts, for which she was teased by high school bullies (especially Queenbee Meany-Pants). As Paige discussed during our meeting, the Smalltown representation of people remembering you and treating you like the person you were when you left is a real phenomenon. As is the petty drama. Florence's late father could also see ghosts, from whom she evidently inherited this ability.

The Day family (minus Florence, because she ran away to The Big City to be a writer) run a funeral home, and who does Florence see when she walks in the door, but Ben. Weird that he would be there, since she just saw him in The Big City, and to make things weirder, he doesn't know why he's there either. Uh oh, now Florence has to break the news to him that means he's a ghost and therefore DEAD.

“The universe sends you the things you need when you need them.”

― Ashley Poston, Dead Romantics

Having nothing better to do, Ghost Ben follows Florence around Smalltown while she tries to arrange the very particular and impossible particulars of her father's funeral and they slowly fall in Love. This was another low-stakes conflict where Florence feels like she has to gather all the random bits for the funeral by herself, even though no one asked her to and her family even offered to help. But she says it over and over again, that she HAS to do this by herself. I guess that's so Poston could maintain alone time for Florence to talk to Ghost Ben and not have her seemingly talking to herself in public any more than she already does (which, there were some bizarre moments as Miriam pointed out).

“I began to realize that love wasn’t dead, but it wasn’t forever, either. It was something in between, a moment in time where two people existed at the exact same moment in the exact same place in the universe.”

― Ashley Poston, The Dead Romantics

Meanwhile, Ghost Ben randomly keeps popping out of existence with increasing frequency and hearing voices possibly, so he and Florence interpret this to mean that his time to transition to the great beyond is fast approaching. If only they could have more time together. They just hope Ghost Ben can stick around for the funeral, which the whole of Smalltown comes together to help with the impossible particular particulars (including Queenbee Meany-Pants who is not such a meany-pants after all) and it is beautiful and sad and people cried.

“Everything died, but pieces of it remained. Dad was in the wind because he breathed the same air that I breathed. Dad was a mark in history becuase he existed. He was part of my future because I still carried on.”

― Ashley Poston, The Dead Romantics

Plus, come to find out, the famous romance author Florence has been ghostwriting for (Annie) is actually Ben's grandmother and she's been dead since before she hired Florence to be her ghostwriter, something she did while she was a ghost. (This explains why Florence hasn't had any contact with Annie since, though frankly I still have loads of questions. But moving on.) Ghost Ben disappears and Florence, able to Love again, gets her romance writing groove back.

“Giving you Annie's legacy and watching it flourish was under your pen was a blessing. And this? And suddenly this no longer felt like a conversation. It felt like a goodbye. These last few days have been beautiful. It's a good ending, darling. And as your editor I have no notes.”

― Ashley Poston, The Dead Romantics

Once back in The Big City, Florence learns Ben isn't dead after all, he was just in the hospital in a coma and just woke up. (Twist! I say this sarcastically because I recently watched the 2005 Reese Witherspoon/Mark Ruffalo flick Just Like Heaven, which uses the same trope so I totally called it. And if I remember correctly, I believe others of us did as well, because how else HEA?) 

But does he remember her from that time he was Ghost Ben?

“I knew you once,” he said so ardently, it made my heart flutter. “I think you still do,” I whispered,”

― Ashley Poston, The Dead Romantics

He does. Happily-ever-after achieved, Florence writes her book (not the knock-off version Johnny McJerkface wrote, take that), and Smalltown's canine mayor wins reelection in a landslide (I'm guessing).

Overall, people generally liked it. Miriam didn't love it but was invested by the end, Ashley swooned and cried, and Paige enjoyed her mini-vacation to quaint and quirky Smalltown! (Totally and shamelessly paraphrasing from your reviews...)

The Verdict

Taken from the average DCBC member ratings on Goodreads who had marked the book as read and rated at the time of this writing:

The Dead Romantics: 3.92 stars

Thank you to Miriam for hosting! And welcome again to new member Ray!

Next Month: March 2023: The Sentence, by Louise Erdrich (selected by Emily Y).

As always, the full book list for this cycle can be found here.