Literary Salon

3rd Thursday of the Month, 10am-12pm 

Facilitated by Andrea Markowitz, join other enthusiasts as we open discussion on a new topic each month! Choose any book, or other medium (film, music, stage play, podcast, art, etc.) that you feel really represents or relates to that month’s topic. We’ll discuss how the theme plays a significant role in the work you’ve selected, as well as anything else you’d like to share about it with the group. See below for topics and descriptions of the upcoming discussions! 

A voracious reader and writer of fiction and nonfiction, Andrea earned degrees in English, music and psychology, and explored a variety of careers in education and writing. After “retiring” she discovered her true calling is to write plays and musicals. Her dedication to writing for the stage was acknowledged recently with an ariZoni Award for best new script for “Fair Game,” a musical satire based on a true story about fake news! 

February 16th- Topic: Literary Prizes 

This month is all about books! How much do prizes, Book Club selections and celebrity endorsements (such as Oprah) influence the author, reader, and sales of a book? Do you choose books based on a prize-wining status such as the Pulitzer, National Book Award, Legal Fiction Book Award, etc? 

Literary Salon member Dianne Danehey will tell us about the Pulitzer criteria for winning, how they have changed over the years, and controversies that have surrounded the selection process. Then she’ll lead us as we each share a prize-winning book we’ve read, and whether we agree the book was worthy of the award. 

Some books to consider: 

One of Ours by Willa Cather, winner of the 1923 Pulitzer 

Havana Requiem by Paul Goldstein, winner of the 2013 Legal Fiction Award 

The Netanyahus by Joshua Cohen, winner of the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction 

March 16th- Topic: Adventure 

No registration | Questions, please call 480-488-2286