News

Friday, June 22, 2018

One Book reading selection unveiled

“Burnt Toast Makes You Sing Good” by Kathleen Flinn is the book everyone is reading as the 2018 One Book One County Montcalm selection.

The title was announced during a June 21 kickoff celebration at Montcalm Community College’s Beatrice E. Doser Building on the college’s Sidney campus.

“Burnt Toast Makes You Sing Good” is a multi-generational memoir following Flinn’s quirky family’s culinary adventures in the Midwest. This flavorful tale is humorous and includes recipes. It was named a 2015 Notable Book by the Library of Michigan.

Flinn is an award-winning author and journalist, best known for The New York Times bestselling memoir, “The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry.” Her acclaimed follow-up, “The Kitchen Counter Cooking School,” was named a 2012 Book of the Year by the American Society of Journalists & Authors.

MCC Library Director Katie Arwood said this autobiography is an armchair traveler’s delight.

“‘Burnt Toast’ takes readers on a culinary journey across country and back to our home state, Michigan,” she said. “Along the way, the family in this title faces serious roadblocks, employment crises, poverty and discord between relatives, but through commitment to one another, rediscovering self-sufficiency, a lot of humor and hard work and, of course, their love of food and what it means to family, they move forward. This family reflects many of the heartbreaks and struggles we all face, and they also offer inspiration that tough times can be endured and overcome through resourcefulness and perseverance.

“And what a delight for our One Book readers, the author and acclaimed chef, Kathleen Flinn, will be our closing guest speaker at the Tamarack District Library on Sept. 21,” she added.

Eight book discussions are scheduled throughout the county from July into August. Other events include memoir workshops, karaoke, a free movie night, recipe sharing events and more. Events include:

  • View the movie “Herbie, the Love Bug” outside July 13 at approximately 9:15 p.m. at Timothy C. Hauenstein Reynolds Township Library following the classic car cruise night from 6 to 8 p.m. in Howard City.
  • Discuss the book on July 18 at noon at the MCC Library, located in the lower level of the Donald C. Burns Administration/Library Building on the college’s Sidney campus.
  • Discuss the book on July 26 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Flat River Community Library in Greenville.
  • Learn how to develop a family cookbook from old recipe cards in “Preserving family recipes” Aug. 2 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Tamarack District Library in Lakeview. Do you have a recipe for preserves? Bring a sample – you may win a prize.
  • Discuss the book on Aug. 6 at 10 a.m. at Timothy C. Hauenstein Reynolds Township Library in Howard City.
  • Discuss the book on Aug. 7 at 10 a.m. at Home Township Library in Edmore.
  • Discuss the book on Aug. 7 at 6 p.m. at Carson City Public Library.
  • Sample recipes featured in “Burnt Toast Makes You Sing Good” during “A Taste of ‘Burnt Toast’” Aug. 8 at 5 p.m. at Home Township Library in Edmore. Bring your favorite batch of cookies and enter the cookie-tasting contest. The winner will receive a $25 Meijer gift card. Do you have a favorite recipe? If so, bring it to enter a drawing to win a copy of “Burnt Toast Makes You Sing Good.”
  • Learn about Michigan’s rich “foodie” and agricultural history and sample Michigan-made products during “Made in Michigan” Aug. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Carson City Public Library. Registration is required by calling 989-584-3680.
  • Discuss the book on Aug. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at White Pine District Library in Stanton.
  • If “Burnt Toast Makes You Sing Good,” prove it during a karaoke contest Aug. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at White Pine District Library in Stanton. The first 20 singers to register will take the stage and everyone is invited to watch. Registration is required by calling 989-831-4327. Participants must be age 13 or older to enter.
  • Children ages 12 and younger can prove that “Burnt Toast Makes You Sing Good” during a mini karaoke contest Aug. 18 from 12 to 1:30 p.m. at White Pine District Library in Stanton. The first 20 singers to register will take the stage and everyone is invited to watch. Registration is required by calling 989-831-4327.
  • Learn the fundamentals of memoir writing during “Memories to Memoirs” Aug. 18 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Flat River Community Library in Greenville. Registration is required by calling 616-754-6359.
  • Discuss the book on Aug. 23 at 5 p.m. at Tamarack District Library in Lakeview.
  • Discuss the book on Aug. 24 at 11 a.m. at Richland Township Library in Vestaburg.
  • Learn tips and tricks for using an InstaPot and receive recipes during “’No pressure’ Cooking with InstaPot” Aug. 24 at noon at Richland Township Library in Vestaburg.
  • Practice writing the family stories behind family recipes during “Cooking Up Good Memories with Deb Moore” Sept. 6 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Flat River Community Library in Greenville. Please bring three recipes to share. Registration is required by calling 616-754-6359.
  • Meet Kathleen Flinn, author of “Burnt Toast Makes You Sing Good,” during the One Book Closing program Sept. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Tamarack District Library in Lakeview. Flinn will be available for book signings. Refreshments will be provided.

One Book One County Montcalm is sponsored by Stafford Media Solutions, MCC, the MCC Foundation and the public libraries of Montcalm County.

For discussion questions or more information, visit www.montcalm.edu/one-book.