Romeo Reads 2024

February 5, 2024
by RDL
Read Attend ConnectRomeo Reads is…An invitation to all Romeo, Washington & Bruce Township residents to read a specially selected book and to attend free programs connected with its content.We wish to:

  • promote literacy
  • foster an appreciation of books and reading
  • provide a forum to connect and
  • enhance civic unity through literature.

This is our fourth year of Romeo Reads. We hope you’ll join in. This year we are reading The Recipe Box by Viola Shipman. Viola Shipman is the pen name for author Wade Rouse.

 

What is The Recipe Box about?

Growing up in northern Michigan, Samantha “Sam” Mullins felt trapped on her family’s orchard and pie shop, so she left with dreams of making her own mark in the world. But life as an overworked, undervalued sous chef at a reality star’s New York bakery is not what Sam dreamed.

When the chef embarrasses Sam, she quits and returns home and spends a summer working on her family’s orchard cooking and baking alongside the women in her life—including her mother, Deana, and grandmother, Willo.

One flour-flecked, ink-smeared recipe at a time, Sam learns about the women in her life, her family’s history, and her passion for food through their treasured recipe box.

As Sam discovers what matters most she opens her heart to a man she left behind, but who now might be the key to her happiness.

 

Who is the author?

Wade Rouse is the internationally bestselling author of nine books. He chose his grandmother’s name, Viola Shipman, as a pen name to honor the woman whose heirlooms and family stories inspire his fiction.

Rouse earned his B.A. from Drury University and his master’s in journalism from Northwestern University. He is also an acclaimed writing teacher who has mentored numerous students to become published authors. He divides his time between Saugatuck, Michigan, and Palm Springs, California.

 

What do others think of the book?

“Filled with cherished memories and treasured recipes, The Recipe Box is a touching tribute to the women and food that unite us and connect our past to the present.” ~ Richard Paul Evans, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Sweet (On Many Levels) Story About Family Legacy. I want to try out the recipes included in the book. They all sound delicious. And the stories each recipe invokes are cleverly woven throughout. Lots of lovely messages included among the stories, too. Overall a really inspiring book about families and their histories. Made me want to know more about my ancestors.” ~ review by nhrbookcrazy3, norfolk, va.

“Soulful, nostalgic, searching, hopeful. These are some of the adjectives that went through my mind as I read The Recipe Box. I laughed out loud at parts and was touched and thoughtful in others. This story is full of heritage and family… it spans many generations. It is not a saga, but is full of snippets from the lives of the matriarchs of Sam’s family.” ~ review by Phyllis_H, originally on AmongTheReads.net

 

How do I get the book?

To purchase a copy of Shipman’s book for $12, contact the circulation desk at either branch. Please specify if you are purchasing a copy. We accept cash or check. Or, you can place a hold for a copy of the book, or audiobook on CD, through our library lending system. Overdrive and Hoopla offer the title as an e-audiobook.

 

Enjoy your read!

Read The Recipe Box on your own, or meet with a group. We encourage readers to connect for book discussions.

Join our Facebook Group (Romeo District Library Group) to discover other readers, and for the Romeo Reads Thursday morning competition!

Be the FIRST to answer the trivia question posted in our Group at 11:00 am beginning February 15—and you win! Prizes are minimal but fun and chosen in connection to the book.

 

Events

We have SEVEN free memorable events for you to enjoy!

 

Monday, February 5, 6:00 pm, Kezar Branch: History of Romeo Orchards

The majority of The Recipe Box takes place on a northern Michigan orchard—a setting known quite well by residents of Romeo! RDL Archivist Emily Malek will share some history of our local orchards, including historical pictures from the Romeo Community Archives. Books are available for purchase.

Register here.

 

Thursday, February 13, 6:00 pm, Kezar Branch: Create a Recipe Junk Journal

Naturally, this book includes many recipes!  In fact, the actual recipes mentioned are included at the end of chapters!  This fun class guides you through the process of making your own recipe book in the hot crafting trend of Junk Journals! Meets every Tuesday for four weeks through March 4 at Kezar. All supplies provided, including custom stickers!

Register here.

 

Thursday, March 12, 6:00 pm, Kezar Branch: Savor the Bounty of the Orchards

Fran of Pamela’s Catering graces our library once again to share delectable dishes made with prime ingredients from our area’s significant stock. Fruit is NOT just for dessert! Bring your appetite for some tasty samples and take home some new recipes to your family and friends. Registration is required and limited to 30.

Register here.

 

Thursday, April 4, 6:00 pm, Kezar Branch: Mindful Eating: Food is More Than Taste

Characters in this book discuss moments of awareness and clarity in relation to the food they eat and the company with which they eat. Is this a dying craft? Or do we eat simply for sustenance alone? We welcome Michigan State University Extension for some answers, and to learn the practice of mindful eating and its benefits as well as how to experience it with a guided meditation.

No registration required for this event.

 

Thursday, April 11, 6:00 pm, Kezar Branch: Book Discussion with Librarian Stacie Guzzo

Read this sweet story of family and food, then join in the discussion before the author visits us in a couple of weeks! If you do not get a chance to read it before the discussion meets, come anyway! We always have a no-pressure and lively good time! Copies of The Recipe Box are available for purchase at both of our branches.

Register here.

 

Saturday, April 13, 1:00 pm, Graubner Branch: Bakeoff and Cake Walk

Take a walk on the cake side! Bring your baking skills to the library and let’s see those yummy desserts! Resident bakers are invited to participate in this friendly bakeoff, which will be judged by local chefs.

Register here.

 

The BIG Event! Reception and Author Visit with Viola Shipman

Thursday, April 25, 7:00 pm, The Abbey on Main, 102 Church St., Romeo, 48065 | Across from Kezar Library

The event all Romeo Readers have been waiting for!

Let us welcome our celebrated author to Romeo! He will speak about The Recipe Box as well as others he’s penned, and share some family history and memories. There will be time for audience questions. Books are available for purchase.

Register here.

 

How do I register?

Register online for EACH program that interests you.

  • www.rdl.org, Library Information, Calendar.
  • Then navigate to each event date to register.

Or, click through the direct links on this page. Please remember to include your email address. Call 586-752-2583 if you need to register by phone or if you have questions.

 

TELL YOUR FRIENDS!

We want as many participants as possible to enjoy this awesome program!

 

ROMEO READS 2024 is sponsored by Romeo District Library and Friends of the Romeo District Library.

 

Read Attend Connect

Romeo Reads is…

An invitation to all Romeo, Washington & Bruce Township residents to read a specially selected book and to attend free programs connected with its content.

We wish to:

  • promote literacy
  • foster an appreciation of books and reading
  • provide a forum to connect and
  • enhance civic unity through literature.

This is our fourth year of Romeo Reads. We hope you’ll join in. This year we are reading The Recipe Box by Viola Shipman. Viola Shipman is the pen name for author Wade Rouse.

 

What is The Recipe Box about?

Growing up in northern Michigan, Samantha “Sam” Mullins felt trapped on her family’s orchard and pie shop, so she left with dreams of making her own mark in the world. But life as an overworked, undervalued sous chef at a reality star’s New York bakery is not what Sam dreamed.

When the chef embarrasses Sam, she quits and returns home and spends a summer working on her family’s orchard cooking and baking alongside the women in her life—including her mother, Deana, and grandmother, Willo.

One flour-flecked, ink-smeared recipe at a time, Sam learns about the women in her life, her family’s history, and her passion for food through their treasured recipe box.

As Sam discovers what matters most she opens her heart to a man she left behind, but who now might be the key to her happiness.

 

Who is the author?

Wade Rouse is the internationally bestselling author of nine books. He chose his grandmother’s name, Viola Shipman, as a pen name to honor the woman whose heirlooms and family stories inspire his fiction.

Rouse earned his B.A. from Drury University and his master’s in journalism from Northwestern University. He is also an acclaimed writing teacher who has mentored numerous students to become published authors. He divides his time between Saugatuck, Michigan, and Palm Springs, California.

 

What do others think of the book?

“Filled with cherished memories and treasured recipes, The Recipe Box is a touching tribute to the women and food that unite us and connect our past to the present.” ~ Richard Paul Evans, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Sweet (On Many Levels) Story About Family Legacy. I want to try out the recipes included in the book. They all sound delicious. And the stories each recipe invokes are cleverly woven throughout. Lots of lovely messages included among the stories, too. Overall a really inspiring book about families and their histories. Made me want to know more about my ancestors.” ~ review by nhrbookcrazy3, norfolk, va.

“Soulful, nostalgic, searching, hopeful. These are some of the adjectives that went through my mind as I read The Recipe Box. I laughed out loud at parts and was touched and thoughtful in others. This story is full of heritage and family… it spans many generations. It is not a saga, but is full of snippets from the lives of the matriarchs of Sam’s family.” ~ review by Phyllis_H, originally on AmongTheReads.net

 

How do I get the book?

To purchase a copy of Shipman’s book for $12, contact the circulation desk at either branch. Please specify if you are purchasing a copy. We accept cash or check. Or, you can place a hold for a copy of the book, or audiobook on CD, through our library lending system. Overdrive and Hoopla offer the title as an e-audiobook.

 

Enjoy your read!

Read The Recipe Box on your own, or meet with a group. We encourage readers to connect for book discussions.

Join our Facebook Group (Romeo District Library Group) to discover other readers, and for the Romeo Reads Thursday morning competition!

Be the FIRST to answer the trivia question posted in our Group at 11:00 am beginning February 15—and you win! Prizes are minimal but fun and chosen in connection to the book.

 

Events

We have SEVEN free memorable events for you to enjoy!

 

Monday, February 5, 6:00 pm, Kezar Branch: History of Romeo Orchards

The majority of The Recipe Box takes place on a northern Michigan orchard—a setting known quite well by residents of Romeo! RDL Archivist Emily Malek will share some history of our local orchards, including historical pictures from the Romeo Community Archives. Books are available for purchase.

Register here.

 

Thursday, February 13, 6:00 pm, Kezar Branch: Create a Recipe Junk Journal

Naturally, this book includes many recipes!  In fact, the actual recipes mentioned are included at the end of chapters!  This fun class guides you through the process of making your own recipe book in the hot crafting trend of Junk Journals! Meets every Tuesday for four weeks through March 4 at Kezar. All supplies provided, including custom stickers!

Register here.

 

Thursday, March 12, 6:00 pm, Kezar Branch: Savor the Bounty of the Orchards

Fran of Pamela’s Catering graces our library once again to share delectable dishes made with prime ingredients from our area’s significant stock. Fruit is NOT just for dessert! Bring your appetite for some tasty samples and take home some new recipes to your family and friends. Registration is required and limited to 30.

Register here.

 

Thursday, April 4, 6:00 pm, Kezar Branch: Mindful Eating: Food is More Than Taste

Characters in this book discuss moments of awareness and clarity in relation to the food they eat and the company with which they eat. Is this a dying craft? Or do we eat simply for sustenance alone? We welcome Michigan State University Extension for some answers, and to learn the practice of mindful eating and its benefits as well as how to experience it with a guided meditation.

No registration required for this event.

 

Thursday, April 11, 6:00 pm, Kezar Branch: Book Discussion with Librarian Stacie Guzzo

Read this sweet story of family and food, then join in the discussion before the author visits us in a couple of weeks! If you do not get a chance to read it before the discussion meets, come anyway! We always have a no-pressure and lively good time! Copies of The Recipe Box are available for purchase at both of our branches.

Register here.

 

Saturday, April 13, 1:00 pm, Graubner Branch: Bakeoff and Cake Walk

Take a walk on the cake side! Bring your baking skills to the library and let’s see those yummy desserts! Resident bakers are invited to participate in this friendly bakeoff, which will be judged by local chefs.

Bake Off Rules and Regulations

Register here.

Cake Walk Information

 

The BIG Event! Reception and Author Visit with Viola Shipman

Thursday, April 25, 7:00 pm, The Abbey on Main, 102 Church St., Romeo, 48065 | Across from Kezar Library

The event all Romeo Readers have been waiting for!

Let us welcome our celebrated author to Romeo! He will speak about The Recipe Box as well as others he’s penned, and share some family history and memories. There will be time for audience questions. Books are available for purchase.

Register here.

 

How do I register?

Register online for EACH program that interests you.

  • www.rdl.org, Library Information, Calendar.
  • Then navigate to each event date to register.

Or, click through the direct links on this page. Please remember to include your email address. Call 586-752-2583 if you need to register by phone or if you have questions.

 

TELL YOUR FRIENDS!

We want as many participants as possible to enjoy this awesome program!

 

ROMEO READS 2024 is sponsored by Romeo District Library and Friends of the Romeo District Library.