Between Two Shores is a great choice for book clubs! There is plenty to discuss within the pages, and a discussion guide at the end of the novel. For those who love to have themed book club events, I've put together the following four different menu options you might consider serving.

Option 1: Authentic

For those of you who would like to experience the type of fare Catherine, Samuel, Bright Star, and Thankful ate during the famine depicted in Between Two Shores, offer any of the following:

• Cornbread
• Hazelnuts
• Smoked salmon
• In-season berries
• Dried venison (or beef jerky)
• Water

Option 2: Hearty

Looking for something more filling than nuts and berries? Reach for comfort foods of the French-Canadian colonists.

Tourtiere is a spiced meat pie that has been enjoyed for centuries. A google search will yield many variations, but here is one recipe you might consider (pictured here).

Pig and Pea Soup is another traditional meal. Another name for this is Split Pea and Ham Soup. This is the slow-cooker recipe I use that is easy and delicious.

Ingredients:

16 oz (or 2 ¼ c.) dried green split peas, rinsed
1 ham shank
1 c. chopped carrots
3 garlic cloves, minced
½ t. dried rosemary, crushed
½ t. dried thyme
1 carton (32 oz.) reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 c. water

Directions:

In a slow cooker, combine all ingredients. Cook on low 8 hours. Pull the meat from the bone, and mix it in with the soup. Garnish with sour cream and serve with crusty bread.

Option 3: Sophisticated

If your book club is in the mood for something between a famine menu and a hearty meal, set a sophisticated spread with any of the following treats, enjoyed by French-Canadians when flour was easier to come by than it was during the wheat crisis during the Seven Years’ War.

• Baguettes
• Croissants with crème fraiche, jam, or honey
• Fancy cheese (choose your own favorite)
• Fresh fruit
• Chocolate (Quebec City is famous for its chocolate!)
• Tea or coffee

Option 4: Adventurous

This option doubles as a group activity! Make Maple Taffy on Snow, or if you have no fresh snow available, a pan of finely crushed ice will do. The very simple directions are as easy as 1-2-3. Heat pure maple syrup in a saucepan on your stovetop to a temperature of 232-235 degrees F. Pour syrup onto snow (or ice) in a straight line. Roll the maple syrup onto the end of a popsicle stick and enjoy! Food Network Canada suggests dipping your taffy sticks into:

• Chopped walnuts or pecans
• Crumbled cooked bacon
• Chopped dried apples
• Crispy rice cereal

Some recipes recommend adding one to two teaspoons of butter to your syrup to help reduce splatter. Feel free to look up your own maple taffy recipe online. Have fun!

Psst! If your book club discusses Between Two Shores, or any of my other books, send me a picture of your group and I'll be happy to post it on my Facebook page! 

Regardless of whether you're in a book club, which menu appeals to you the most?