(above, l-r) Standing: Elly Silberman, Marjorie Heyman, Maria Hoberman, Dara Diamant, Sarah Kaplan, Cindy Slavin, Susanne Robinson; seated: Myra Cole, Maxine Silverman, Lisa Tognola, Lynne Whitman, and Peggy Dugan.
Book Club Discusses Member’s Book: As Long As It’s Perfect
Submitted by Lisa Tognola
On November 25, 2019, a book club that started in Chatham nearly 15 years ago gathered to discuss a book by one of its own members, Lisa Tognola. In 2007, Lisa and her husband, Chris, knocked down a house and built a new one when the U.S. was on the brink of financial collapse. Their experience, fraught with anxiety and risk, inspired some of the scenes in her debut novel As Long As It’s Perfect(October, 2019, She Writes Press)—a story about one woman’s obsession with perfection and how far she’ll go to get what she wants, no matter the cost to herself and her family. Lisa’s book deals with relatable human traits and emotions: the effects of envy and desire, the intricacies of marriage, obsession with perfection, and what that does to a person and their loved ones—topics that Lisa says generated lively discussion at the recent book club meeting.
Lisa, an original member of the group, credits her book club with providing her the encouragement and support she needed to publish her novel, a journey she says took twelve years. “The members of our group have experienced a number of hardships, joys and sorrows over the years,” says Lisa. “Life can be turbulent and unpredictable, but our book club has remained a stable force in all of our lives. We nosh, we sip wine, we chat, and we support one another. We’re more than just members. We’re friends.”
For more information about author Lisa Tognola and her book, As Long As It’s Perfect, or if you’re interested in inviting her to your book club meeting, visit her website lisatognola.com
Photo by Shayna Kaplan
