NNO Book Club: The Lost Book of Adana Moreau

Edited 8/6: An online book club event has been added for this same day starting at 6:30 pm. If you are are on the waitlist, don’t want to drive this far, think you might be getting sick, or don’t want to put on pants - feel free to mosey over and RSVP for the online version.

We like our books kind of twisty and complicated and I can’t quite put my finger on WHY this book screamed our name, but it did. Maybe because we used to have a theme category called “Books about Books”, which we’ve read more than a few of in the past. Regardless, this month we are reading “The Lost Book of Adana Moreau” by Michael Zapata.

***Book summary from Goodreads***
The mesmerizing story of a Latin American science fiction writer and the lives her lost manuscript unites decades later in post-Katrina New Orleans

In 1929 in New Orleans, a Dominican immigrant named Adana Moreau writes a science fiction novel. The novel earns rave reviews, and Adana begins a sequel. Then she falls gravely ill. Just before she dies, she destroys the only copy of the manuscript.

Decades later in Chicago, Saul Drower is cleaning out his dead grandfather’s home when he discovers a mysterious manuscript written by none other than Adana Moreau. With the help of his friend Javier, Saul tracks down an address for Adana’s son in New Orleans, but as Hurricane Katrina strikes they must head to the storm-ravaged city for answers.

What results is a brilliantly layered masterpiece—an ode to home, storytelling and the possibility of parallel worlds.

***This month's restaurant selection***
I cannot say enough good things about Tibby’s New Orlean’s Kitchen. They’ve got a little Cajun, they’ve got a little Creole and if you’re confused about the difference between those two, they could probably help explain it to you. Also – BEIGNETS. ‘Nuff said.

***Not sure about book club or never been to one before? ***
Read the book (or some of the book). Come to the Meetup. Eat yummy food and chat with folks about what you thought about the book. REPEAT!

***Not sure where to get the book? ***
All books we select have a decent number of copies (at least 3-4 across all formats) at both the Hillsborough and Pinellas County Library. And, of course, you can always buy a copy.

***Didn’t finish/hated this book?***
Come to the Meetup anyway! If you didn't finish - just be aware, there will be spoilers. If you hated it, come and rant! In my experience, the books that generate the best conversations and the books we really love are rarely the same books.

Note: 7/5/22 – We have always endeavored to be a “Greater Tampa Bay” book club and our rotation of locations has tried to reflect our membership. This does mean that everyone is going to have to drive pretty far once in a while (or sit that month out as needed). Starting with our August 2022 event, we are now rotating between three main areas:
1. West Tampa/Clearwater with occasional forays as far south as St. Pete
2. Central Tampa – Westshore, Kennedy, and occasional forays up into Westchase
3. East Tampa/Brandon – USF/New Tampa area and other points east.

Still looking for more restaurant suggestions for places for East Tampa, Brandon, USF, etc.