CLARKS SUMMIT — While discussing a book considered “pretty dark and pretty serious,” members of the Books + Bites monthly book club at the Abington Community Library enjoyed food that followed a Florida theme.

Abington Community Library’s Program Manager Renee Roberts led this month’s Books + Bites and said, “We paired a vibrant citrus arugula salad, as well as key lime pie and lemonade. So we went for a Florida theme because the book is pretty dark and pretty serious and we kind of wanted to have lighter fare.”

Nine members of the community gathered together on Sept. 23 to to enjoy an in-depth discussion of Colson Whitehead’s newest book, “Nickel Boys.”

Roberts shared with the group that Whitehead was actually in Scranton earlier in the year to speak for the American Masters lecture through the Lackawanna County Library System and that he won the 2016 National Book Award for fiction and the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for fiction, adding that she enjoyed the story as one of her favorite books of his.

Book club members had mixed feelings about the book. Some members of the book club really enjoyed it, while a few said they didn’t because it was a hard topic to read about.

The book is set in the 1970s and follows two young boys who have been sent to a school which is actually a prison in Florida. It was based on a real school, so there is a little bit of historical fiction element to the story.

A few club members said it was a hard read because there is a lot of abuse and racial injustice. Others commented on how well it was written, how they enjoyed the author’s writing style and the plotting of the book.

According to Roberts, plans for Books + Bites Book Club include three different staff members rotating and leading the discussions and providing the “bites.”

“Each staff member has a different spin on what they like to read, so we’re reading a lot of genres and we’re really excited by that,” she said. “Each book will be paired with some food items that either relate to the plot line or geography of the book or author in some way. We have all our books set through the winter, and we’re already talking about what we want to do in January, February and March.”

The next Books + Bites will take place Monday, Oct. 21 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. where the featured book will be “Radical Kindness: The Life Changing Power of Giving and Receiving” by Angela Santomero. The book is nonfiction and focuses on transforming ourselves, our neighborhood and our world for the better.

“So if people are more inclined to read nonfiction, this would be a good one to join into,” said Roberts.

Anyone wishing to register may do so by calling the Abington Community Library at 570-587-3440.

Books + Bites members discuss ‘The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead on Sept. 23.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_aj100219Booksbites1.jpg.optimal.jpgBooks + Bites members discuss ‘The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead on Sept. 23. Zachary Allen | For Abington Journal

The Books + Bites book club is new at the Abington Community Library.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_aj100219Booksbites2.jpg.optimal.jpgThe Books + Bites book club is new at the Abington Community Library. Zachary Allen | For Abington Journal

The Books + Bites book club at the Abington Community Library offers members an opportunity to share refreshments while discussing books.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_aj100219Booksbites3.jpg.optimal.jpgThe Books + Bites book club at the Abington Community Library offers members an opportunity to share refreshments while discussing books. Zachary Allen | For Abington Journal

David Walline, of Falls Twp., listens to Virginia Paoloni, of Clarks Summit, during Books + Bites Sept. 23.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_aj100219Booksbites4.jpg.optimal.jpgDavid Walline, of Falls Twp., listens to Virginia Paoloni, of Clarks Summit, during Books + Bites Sept. 23. Zachary Allen | For Abington Journal

Project manager Renee Roberts, of Clarks Summit, enjoys a recent Books + Bites club meeting.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/web1_aj100219Booksbites5.jpg.optimal.jpgProject manager Renee Roberts, of Clarks Summit, enjoys a recent Books + Bites club meeting. Zachary Allen | For Abington Journal
Makes for delightful evening at Books + Bites

By Kelly McDonough

For Abington Journal

Reach the Abington Journal newsroom at 570-991-6405 or by email at news@theabingtonjournal.com.