Author Chitra Divakaruni IS COMING TO OUR FIRST BOOK CLUB MEETING!!!

This is not a drill. This is happening.

Our first hybrid virtual/in-person book club meeting will be Monday, January 15th at 8:30pm EST where we’ll discuss all of our hot takes on the book Independence. The book’s incredible author, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, has graciously agreed to join us on Zoom for the first few minutes!!! My family, friends and I have absolutely loved her writing for the last twenty years so this is so freaking huge. I’m not sure what we’ll have time for, but please submit your questions to me if you have any for her. YAY!

Reply to this email if you plan to attend in-person or virtually so I can add you to a separate invite which will include location details/zoom link and more. So everyone get all your insightful or unhinged or nuanced or chaotic opinions ready—I want to hear them all! Obviously you are welcome to attend if you haven’t read the book but it’s currently available for $1.99 on Amazon or for free on the library’s Hoopla app.

Some questions to think about:

• What is something you learned about India’s history?

• Was Gandhi’s dream of a unified India possible?

• Favorite character/part/quote? Least favorite character/part?

• What scene lingers with you the most? Is there a moment that was the most impactful?

• Duty vs. Desire—did any character handle this dilemma like you would have?

• If this were adapted to the screen, who could you see playing each role? (Dev Patel as Amit def!)

I’m so sorry to the international folks for the timing of the meeting! But I’m planning on recording the zoom meeting. If you can’t attend the meeting but still want to participate, post your answers in the comments. If you want to hear my answers to these questions in the comments, let me know too!

Get excited! It will be fun! We’re working on a special cocktail for the night too. Spoiler alert: it includes the chai tea vodka that Gov gave me for my birthday 🥳 Can’t wait to talk books with all the people I love! Special thank you to Shiwani and Vickram—love you guys.

Oh, and Merry Christmas!