Where Fiction Meets Friction
Book Club Drama is back with episode 3. Last month, Abby ended up at urgent care. This month: it’s the book Bread of Angles and she’s hosting. Patti Smith may FaceTime.— Susan Dabbar, Editor-in-Chief
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Subject: Next Meeting—Please Read Carefully
From: Abby (Host)
To: Prose & Cons Book Club
Date: Monday, 8:11 a.m.
Hi everyone,
Just a reminder that we’re meeting Thursday at 6:30 at my house to discuss Patti Smith’s NEW memoir. I’m grandma-ing that day with my sweet Hazel, so will order Impossible taco bowls and gut reset lentil soup from Goop Café.
RSVP with the name of the book you’re reading so I don’t panic unnecessarily.
From: Barb
Date: Monday, 8:24 a.m.
Can’t wait! Re-reading Just Kids. It’s even better the second time.
On another note, who has bought a new kitchen faucet recently? My contractor and I have narrowed it down to six but now I’m doubting everything.
(six screenshots attached)
From: Abby
Date: Monday, 8:29 a.m.
It’s not Just Kids. It’s Patti’s new book, Bread of Angels. (I get it, the title is hard to remember.)
From: Melissa
Date: Monday, 8:33 a.m.
My autocorrect said it was Bride of Angles, which I couldn’t find on Amazon, so it was Just Kids again for me. And Just Kids was perfect, so why all the memoirs?
Also, random: My husband did a root canal yesterday for a certain Ms. Smith.
From: Diane
Date: Monday, 8:41 a.m.
I’m reading M Train. Patti Smith’s work exists outside of linear time.
Barb, I find champagne bronze aspirational and too faux Tuscan.
From: Janet
Date: Monday, 9:02 a.m.
Can’t wait to share my red light therapy update. Abby, you wrote the book choice was “not depressing.” Just Kids is hopeful. But because I thought we had discussed it already, I read Year of the Monkey.
From: Abby
Date: Monday, 9:17 a.m.
Okay. We currently have four P.S. memoirs represented, who knew. If you are reading Just Kids, please do not speak loudly about it.
Also, I have champagne bronze faucets throughout the house and am not aspirational or faux in the least. You can try them out when you arrive.
From: Barb
Date: Monday, 9:24 a.m.
Got it. Does anyone know if brushed nickel is the same as satin nickel?
From: Melissa
Date: Tuesday, 7:11 p.m.
Okay, don’t freak out but my husband’s patient said she might FaceTime us for a few minutes Thursday if she’s free. He didn’t push.
From: Abby
Date: Tuesday, 7:19 p.m.
Wait. What???
From: Melissa
Date: Tuesday, 7:21 p.m.
I know. He said she seemed into the idea. She told him, “Women readers have the power.”
From: Abby
Date: Tuesday, 7:26 p.m.
Whoa, is this real? If so, everyone please behave on Thursday.
From: Barb
Date: Tuesday, 7:34 p.m.
Wow. If Patti Smith is coming, should I go with a faucet selection that’s less shallow? Attaching two finalists.
(two attachments)
Subject: Last night
From: Diane
Date: Friday, 6:04 a.m.
First of all, thanks for hosting us, Ab.
Update for Gail. Sorry you had to miss. Here’s what went down:
- Food was healthy and abundant but we all agreed that we prefer real meat and even lard in our taco bowls.
- The multiple book discussion was a challenge until we listened to “Horses” to get in the mood.
- Abby felt validated by Barb’s approval of her faucet, and we all look forward to seeing the next batch of contenders, once she polls her Pilates class.
- I’ll never forget the moment Melissa announced that “Patti is ready.” I remember thinking poetry is the soul’s voice. But then Patty with a “Y” Smith, famed buyer’s realtor from the Cochran Group, appeared on the screen. She said our club looked fun and empowering. When someone asked if she was the Patti Smith, Patty laughed and said, “Sorry, honey.”
The rest of the evening proceeded as you might imagine.
From: Janet
Date: Friday, 8:19 a.m.
We all handled it with grace. Easy mistake. Patti/Patty is a common confusion, and they both have white frizzy hair.
From: Abby
Date: Friday, 8:23 a.m.
I’ve come around, Barb. Brushed nickel.
From: Melissa
Date: Friday, 8:28 a.m.
I almost thought she was the real Patty. She had such raw creative courage and fierce authenticity…
From: Barb
Date: Friday, 8:32 a.m.
Thank you all for the faucet input. I’ve decided to go with brushed nickel, which feels right given the group’s energy.
From: Gloria
Date: Friday, 9:01 a.m.
Hello dear friends,
Next month my turn. We’ll meet at my new second home, the prefab yurt I told you about, only about 30 minutes away. Wear a fleece and bring curiosity.
The book is Whalefall by Daniel Kraus. A story of being swallowed and surviving.
Love and light,
G
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