BEWARE OF BOOZY BOOK CLUBS
BEWARE OF BOOZY BOOK CLUBS
LOS ANGELES (Wireless Flash) -- Now that Oprah Winfrey-style book clubs are becoming all the rage, an expert on the topic is issuing a warning: Don't drink and discuss. Ellen Slezak, author of "The Book Club Book" (Chicago Review Press), claims it's a bad idea to mix booze with books, even though many book groups do it. She says large amounts of liquor can turn a genial meeting of the minds into a rowdy round of insulting jabs -- even spawning fist-fights if folks don't agree about an author or book. Although she's never personally witnessed booze-related bust-ups in book groups, Slezak feels the danger is strong enough to recommend book hounds limit the booze when meeting.