Indeed, the selection of books can be a more freighted process when publishing professionals are present. “It seems like a democratic process, but it really isn’t,” Grunwald said. But no one dominates the conversation.” However, the presence of literary luminaries in the room can make a member’s unpreparedness especially piquant. “You ask yourself, Should I fake it, or should I just admit I didn’t finish the book? Given that the first three books the club read were by Caro, Ginsberg was understandably nerve-racked when the author agreed to speak at one of the club’s meetings.

Source: New York Times May 16, 2019 20:47 UTC