New Book Club Theme: Money and Power
“Money is power, freedom, a cushion., the root of all evil, the sum of all blessings.” - Carl Sandburg
And we’ll admit it: We are absolutely riveted when reading novels about rich people. In the hands of a good novelist, money is often accompanied by power (either justified or not), and money and power are often accompanied by drama. What’s more? The topics of wealth and power are often commingled with issues of class, culture, and morality, which all add up to excellent discussion opportunities with your book crew.
Read on for seven themed money and power book club meetings inspired by a quite rich read.
Old Money
Pineapple Street
by Jenny Jackson
The neighborhood of Brooklyn Heights sits on the river-front, Manhattan-side edge of the borough and has over time become synonymous with a certain echelon of New Yorkers. As the women of Jenny Jackson’s novel, Pineapple Street, have come to learn, with the 11201 zip code comes all sorts of expectations and bars to which one should never stop rising. This novel is packed with as much wit as whimsy and will absolutely delight your book club, while also inspiring a fabulous conversation.
For your Pineapple Street book club:
We’re taking inspiration from our own favorite Brooklyn Heights restaurant, Inga’s Bar. Seems every time we’ve gone in, there’s an absolutely delectable croquette on the menu. One time it was duck, lately it’s lamb. Start with this easy potato croquette and then get creative, if you’d like, with your add-ins. After all, you can take the croquette life handed you and absolutely spin it into something more elevated. For your club’s pairing, go with a Sauvignon Blanc like this bottle from Matua, which has just the slightest, loveliest touch of pineapple on the nose.
New Money
Rules of Civility
by Amor Towles
Amor Towles’s debut novel, Rules of Civility, remains as one of our most favorite books of all time. It introduces us to 25-year-old Katey, making her way through life in 1938’s New York City. One night’s chance encounter propels her into a brand-new social circle encompassing some of the most interesting — and in some cases most moneyed — people in the Big Apple. There are endless stories, both real and fictitious, of women stepping into adulthood against this sometimes sophisticated and sometimes entirely exasperating backdrop of NYC. We think Amor’s telling has everything you could want in such a story and more.
For your Rules of Civility book club meeting:
You’ll want two things: pretty finger foods and gin martinis. For your snack, whip up a batch of these deviled eggs by Love and Lemons. Want to add some subtly over-the-top flair? Consider a sprinkle of salmon roe or other caviar on top. Paired with a classic gin martini, you’ll be feeling like you’re heading into a late-’30s supper club in no time. Once you’ve all settled in, dig into these discussion questions courtesy of the author.
Dirty Money
The Heiress
by Rachel Hawkins
When an infamous and wealthy widow passes away, her adopted son, Jules, runs for the hills (or, rather, the mountains of Colorado), sidestepping any additional notoriety. A decade later, his uncle’s death sucks him back in. He heads due east to North Carolina with his family, where they settle into his mother’s estate. Before long, things begin to get weird. Jules’s mother had become famous early in life when she was kidnapped as a child. Soon it becomes apparent that there was more to her story — and more to the circumstances that followed throughout her long life.
The Heiress Book Club:
Money, family, dark secrets, influence, and twisted paths: Your book club will eat this one up! Create a truly startling book club experience by serving up a grazing experience with a southern-inspired charcuterie board. You’ll want to pair your meat-and-cheese selection with a Chardonnay. We loved this one from Taken Wine Company. Then, to add a little more edge to this month’s meeting, might we suggest a game of two truths and a lie? You’ll love finding out who among your friends is the most talented tale teller.
Mega Money
China Rich Girlfriend
by Kevin Kwan
Kevin Kwan knows how to write fiction that leaves us laughing, crying, and wanting more, more, more. China Rich Girlfriend is his very satisfying sequel to his debut novel, Crazy Rich Asians. Rachel Chu is about to get married when life takes a turn. The father whose identity she is so very curious about is suddenly revealed, and with this bit of knowledge comes exposure to a whole other side of China’s world of big money and big influence.
for your China Rich Girlfriend Book Club:
Get your book club kicked off right. Chinese weddings typically feature a banquet, including as many as ten different dishes. We’re feeling inspired by the frequent presence of peking duck and recommending this version with a mandarin pancake spin. It’s a bit of a project, but not nearly as involved as planning a banquet for the wedding of the year. Pair it with a perfect grenache, like this Vina Zorzal Garnacha from Spain. When all of that is set to go, turn up the tunes with the playlist from the Crazy Rich Asians movie adaptation on Spotify.
Corporate Money
Very Bad Company
by Emma Rosenblum
(Sponsored)
Every year, executives at the trendy tech startup Aurora gather the company's top employees for an exclusive retreat in Miami, and this year Caitlin Levy--Aurora's newest hire--is joining the team as head of events. The benefits are outstanding: a seven-figure salary, stock shares, a discretionary bonus, limitless vacation days--what could possibly go wrong?
Compulsively readable, Very Bad Company is a slick send-up of corporate culture wrapped in a captivating mystery.
More for Very Bad Company Book Club:
Very Bad Company is ohhh so good when it’s enjoyed pool-side or near the water’s edge on a sizzlin’ hot summer’s day! Grab your book club besties, and a trio of Tinto Amorio’s colorful, delicious, all-natural wines that will keep things cool as the conversation heats up about this “Juicy and hilarious” read. From Jajaja Glou Glou Red Wine, to the delicious Bheeyo Orange Wine, or the disco ready Monje Orange Wine – you’ll love them all. Not to mention, you just found the color inspo for your next summer vibes gel mani!
Time Is Money
The Bonfire of the Vanities
by Tom Wolfe
Okay, bear with us on this one. The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe is a modern-day classic. Written in 1987, it brings us into the moneyed world of Wall Street trader Sherman McCoy. His piles of cash are what he has to stand on and dole out when an accident lands him at the center of a class-fueled legal battle. Speaking of piles, this book’s got so much for you and your book-reading crew to dig into and dissect. But here’s the kicker: It’s a doorstopper, at 700 pages.
More for The Bonfire of the Vanities Book Club:
What to do? Give your book club two months to read it, and promise to follow with something light and brief. Most importantly, plan for your pals a delectable book club experience. We’re considering the options available to the Shermans of 1980s New York, and the very standard, very old boy’s club of the New York steakhouse come to mind. Re-create it, but make it book club friendly. Start with these garlic-butter steak bites, dish out a serving of rosemary french fries, and shake up a batch of dirty vodka martinis — grab a jar of blue cheese-stuffed olives for garnish — and you’ll have everyone’s buy-in in no time.
Money Talks
The Sicilian Inheritance
by Jo Piazza
Our final pick takes us to Sicily alongside one Sara Marsala in Jo Piazza’s new novel, The Sicilian Inheritance. Sara is at a bit of a crossroads, working her way through the end of both her business and marriage. When her great-aunt Rosie dies, Sara heads to Italy to dig into a compelling real estate opportunity as well as to untangle a dark and long-held family secret. With that, Sara’s sometimes dangerous and always thrilling Italian adventure begins as she learns more and more about a woman who had little power, but a whole lot of courage.
The Sicilian Inheritance Book Club:
This is a no-brainer for book club. We’re doubling down on all things Sicilian for this particular book-loving party. Serve up a gorgeous and inviting bowl of Sicilian speciality Pasta alla Norma. Your guests will adore you for it. For your wine pairing, you have so much to choose from given all of the fabulous wine that comes from this island. Start with this Donnafugata Sedara Nero D’Avola, which will stand up so well to the complexity of the flavors in your dish. All that’s left to do is turn up the tunes, courtesy of this Italian Vintage Summer playlist on Spotify.