Welcome to Bookfinity's Official Book Club - Page and Pairing
June Book Club Pick
If you haven't already joined, there is no time like the present. June is a great time to pick up a book and feel apart of a community. At Page and Pairing, we take the research and “less fun” stuff out of it so you can focus on what book club is all about. The reading! And let's be real, everything that comes along with the book such as discussion questions, planning, beverages and food to snack on through the reading journey, and more.
For June Book Club, we gathered exclusive content from the author of Sweetness in the Skin, Ishi Robinson, herself! There's no better insight to the book than the one who wrote it. She shares discussion questions, a special pre-purchase excerpt, and insight into her thought process when writing it. Including her travels to her favorite city, Paris, and the inspiration for the book. Plus indulge in a Jamaican pastry and a refreshing glass of rosé.
So grab a glass and a plate because perfect sip AND bite are waiting for you. The wine pairing and full recipe to the pastry will recreate the book in your own home for the ultimate book lover experience.
The Book: A Coming of Age Story
Sweetness in the Skin
by Ishi Robinson
Read an excerpt.
Pumkin Patterson has found herself a way out of Jamaica, and out of the tiny house in which she’s barely being raised — and absolutely being abused — by her mother. All she has to do is pass a French exam to earn a pass over to Marseille to live with her beloved Aunt Sophie. In Ishi Robinson’s debut novel, Sweetness in the Skin, you’ll be rooting for her every step of the way.
The tricky thing is that Pumkin has a few hurdles arise in her way, threatening her chances for moving beyond the life she was born into. But Pumkin is as clever as a kid could get. She turns her baking prowess into a money-making gig. She is as passionate about her craft as she is clever in monetizing it. And while there are many mishaps along the way that could stop her in her tracks, she just doesn’t give up.
There are so many things to love about this novel. It’s got so much energy and so much heart. Pumkin’s home life is hard to play witness to. Her personal village takes shape in surprising ways, and you’ll find that you don’t want to turn away — or stop turning pages — for even a minute. Here’s a book that will stay with you for a long time after you’ve finished it.
Ishi Robinson’s debut novel, Sweetness in the Skin, is ripe for conversation. Dig in with these discussion questions. Remember: spoilers abound!
Get the questions.
Everything about Pumkin’s culinary magic was as sweet as could be. Her treats and the love, care, and intention she poured into them left our mouths watering. If there’s one that takes the cake, though, it’s got to be the Gizzada. Time after time it’s the one that hooked her customers and kept them coming back for more. Try the approachable version from My Eager Eats to find out what all the fuss was about.
Get the recipe.
For your drink pairing, head straight to the place where Pumkin most wanted to be: the South of France. This Olema Rosé is a gorgeous blend of grenache, cinsault, syrah, and carignan. It’ll leave you feeling a little lighter, a little lifted, and wondering if you, too, should set your sights on the South of France.
We asked Ishi to share her three favorite things about France. Here’s what she told us (and we agree — they’re tops).
Ishi’s French faves
We asked Ishi to think back to her own youth, and to share some advice with the kiddo she once was: “I’d tell my younger self, you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. I’d say that blocking out uncomfortable feelings means blocking out the good ones too, so don’t be afraid to feel it all. And I’d want her to know that people will show up for you – and you don’t need to try and be perfect for them to do it. The more you reveal who you truly are, the stronger your community will be.”