For those who love literature, books can change the world. For several book clubs across the country, books can change the life of someone without a home.

Homeless book clubs are sprouting up across the country, as devoted volunteers and church staff remind their members that a little imagination coupled with a great story and fiery discussion among friends can turn the streets warm, if just for a little while.

A few months ago, Garth had the pleasure of visiting with The Streets of Madison via Skype. Located in Madison, WI and run by Suzanne Alexander, The Streets of Madison brings together homeless citizens around a common reader. The meetings are warm, inviting and what comes out of them is nothing short of a miracle, says Alexander.

As one article in BU Today mentioned about another group in Boston, "For many in the club, time had reacquired meaning; it was being measured in stories, in back-and-forths across a table, in a new tribe bonding little by little."

And that's what reading is all about.

Garth was humbled and inspired by his experience with the Streets of Madison members, so much so that he is donating books and his time to more homeless book clubs across the country. As he visits with them, we'll bring you stories from their discussions of Enzo. And if you know of a homeless book club in your community, please email us with information.

Garth traveled to Fort Collins, Colorado in early November for their community read celebration, Fort Collins Reads. It was a tremendously enjoyable whirlwind of a weekend and Garth was met with excitement from everyone he met, including iconic animal behaviorist, doctor, professor and bestselling author, Temple Grandin, who came to Garth's talk at Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine.

Garth also met four very lucky middle school students who won the program's city-wide essay writing contest. Two of the students are pictured here. Read their winning answers to the question, "What I have learned from my dog/pet."
 

The local independent bookseller, Old Firehouse Books, actually ran out of copies of ARR during Garth's events, something that's never happened in eight years of selling books at the community reads event.

"We were blown away by Garth's showmanship and professionalism! We had brought enough books to sell three times the amount that we sold for the event last year, but underestimated the great, far-ranging appeal of the book to the community," said Old Firehouse Books.

Thank you for the warm welcome, Fort Collins!

Garth recently Skyped with Lori Snyder's contemporary fiction class at Options High School in Littleton, Colorado. Options is an alternative school that helps students make up credits in order to graduate.

Lori's class jumped into ARR whole-heartedly, even some students who normally balk at the opportunity to read.

"One of my 'reluctant readers' took The Art of Racing in the Rain home and devoured it," said Lori. "Today he came in especially to tell me that five members of his family had read it as well. This is not normal behavior for my kids! Bravo to Garth for telling such a catch-fire story that captures the imagination of so many varied readers."

Bravo, indeed! 

Torta di Fichi e Pesche, or Fig and Peach Cake

A recipe from the Piedmont region in Italy, contributed by Jennie Shortridge, a friend of Garth's and author of "When She Flew."

Use one of those cans of peaches you so lovingly preserved this summer and transport yourself to a land drenched in Italian sun. The perfect cure to the winter doldrums.

Ingredients:

       12 fresh figs

        6 large peaches

        Flour

        1/2 cup butter

        2 T. sugar

        5 egg yolks and 4 whites

        A shot of rum

        8 palmiers (French pastry cookies) or 16       ladyfingers, crumbled

        6 Amaretti cookies, ground

        Pinch of salt

        Butter and flour for prepping baking dish

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 275 F.

Butter and flour a fairly deep 9 or 10-inch baking dish.

Trim stems from figs and cut into halves. Peel and slice peaches.

Sauté figs in butter and drain them on absorbent paper. Hold aside. Dust peach slices with sugar and sauté them briefly, too.

Next, whip the eggs in a large bowl, then fold in peach slices and all other ingredients except figs. Pour the batter into the pan and push figs into it, cut side up. Bake for two or so hours, until set. Serve cake warm or room temperature with crème Anglaise.

Crème Anglaise

Ingredients:

        2 cups whipping cream

        1 cup sugar

        2 T. all-purpose flour

        1/2 cup butter

        1 T. vanilla extract

Preparation

Stir first 3 ingredients together in a saucepan. Add butter and stir constantly over medium heat until butter is melted. When mixture begins to boil, cook for 3 more minutes , stirring constantly, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.