Book Group Dinner
I belong to an all male book group. It is headed by my muse, Jay Gould. Inasmuch as it was originated by a bunch of Sea Cliff and neighboring guys I have dubbed it the North of 25A Book Group. It is a highly eclectic group and it’s amazing how far afield we can wander when we get together periodically to discuss the chosen book. I wonder if the experience is similar in Female Book Groups?
Let’s just agree that what’s said at Book Group stays at Book Group! Right Skip?
Anyway, last night we convened at the World famous Friars Club in New York City for dinner (menu pictured) and to discuss author Jeffrey Sussman’s latest book: BOXING AND THE MOB, The Notorious History of the Sweet Science.
The tell all book is peppered with inside stories and spans much of 20th Century boxing history and as an innocent boy I recall listening to or watching many of the fights mentioned.
Who knew the fights were fixed? Who knew that the Mob controlled the fight game? Who knew?
Being the scion of a Damon Runyon character it was a miracle that I eschewed gambling. Otherwise I would have been ruined.
The book was quite an eye opener, as was the discussion that followed Jeffrey’s presentation.
Our return to the Friars Club was quite enjoyable as was the new Chef Daniel's food.
One last note, although I must observe Omerta, we also discussed Bob Dylan, who Jeffrey knew in the early 70s.
All in all, it amounted to a potent, fun filled Boys Night Out!

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It’s one of the more enjoyable things I’ve allowed myself to do. They have all been together for many many years, I feel very privileged to have been invited in.
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Watch out men, we’re rockin the boat and will not sit down.
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I started a book club 2 years ago (almost to the day!) by posting a query on our neighborhood Oyster Bay “Nextdoor App” - I simply asked: anyone interested in a book club? And within 5 minutes there were 7 responses, one of whom lived 4 houses away! I hosted a dinner for 16 strangers 2 June’s ago and ultimately we settled at about 14 core members of the most diverse women I could have ever imagined living in Oyster Bay and Muttontown. We have older women with grand kids, brand new moms, an architect, a large tech company owner, a surgeon, a mortician, 2 stay at home moms, a real estate pro, a yoga instructor, an English teacher, a mom and daughter, a psychologist.... all bound by our love of reading and bringing very different life experiences and perspectives. We all marvel at how we wound up in one room every month reading books we never would have read on our own (each hosting member chooses the book and has a dinner at their house.) Last night was our meeting was on “Ship Ablaze” about the tragic fire on the Steamboat General Slocum where 1300 women and children died on a day excursion in the early 1900s. It was fascinating, tragically due to failure to comply with safety regulations at the time, rampant corruption in NYC, and it brought to life a German community in NYC at the turn if the century. Next month we are reading “10% Happier” by Dan Harris, about a war correspondent who is assigned to cover the Religion desk at NBC and discovers meditation and the self-help industry. I’m hosting:))! This book club is one of the great joys in my life.
Keep you posted....
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Hollander Sends
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