Memphis Reads Archive

Fiction

Andrea Bledsoe reviews TURNING TABLES by Heather and Rose MacDowell (Random House, 2008)


Before I started working at the Library, I waited tables. In fact, I waited tables for ten years. I began while I was in college, worked in various restaurants all through college, and even waited tables around three years after I graduated. Hey, when you have a Bachelor of Arts in English, aren’t certified to teach yet, and restaurant work is really your only job experience, what are you going to do?! Don’t get me wrong, I actually loved the fast paced energy of restaurants. It’s tough and grueling work, and the hourly rate ($2.13 plus tips) should be illegal. And, most importantly, it is not for everyone, even though I personally think everyone should wait tables at least once in their lives.

Erin Edwards is a rising star in the New York marketing and advertising scene. Due to the tough economy we are experiencing, Erin loses her executive job and is forced to waitress to make ends meet. Under the false impression that waiting tables will be easy compared to what she had been doing, Erin enters a whole new world. She quickly realizes that waiting tables is more than just bringing customers their food and drinks. She is humbled as she deals with a hot-tempered chef, verbally abusive restaurant owners, various servers’ personalities, and (no surprise here) the neediness of her customers!

Erin’s self-esteem takes daily beatings as the owners and the chef constantly remind her that she has no place in this upscale, hip Manhattan eatery. Determined to rise above the jeers, Erin tries to be more professional in her work as the insults get more personal. Does Erin finally have enough of the hurtful insults and just quit, or is she able to ignore them and overcome? This reviewer isn't telling, but I'll bet you will have a lot of fun finding out for yourself.

I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel by the MacDowell sisters. They are former servers so they understand the restaurant business as much as I do. If nothing else, Turning Tables will teach readers how tough restaurant work is and maybe inspire them to be better tippers!


Andrea Bledsoe, Poplar-White Station Branch Library

Labels: Reviews by Andrea King

The Memphis Public Library & Information Center sponsors book clubs at many branches and at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. Here's a list of the titles that will be discussed in upcoming months. For a book club's contact information, click the link for that branch or call (901) 415-2700.


















Central Readers' Book Club

OCTOBER
The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner
Monday, October 20, 7:00 p.m.

NOVEMBER
Home to Holly Springs by Jan Karon
Monday, November 17, 7:00 p.m.

DECEMBER
I, Rhonda Manning, Go Hunting with My Daddy, and Other Stories by Ellen Gilchrist
Monday, December 15, 7:00 p.m.

Library Location, Hours, and Contact Information












Cordova Book Club

OCTOBER
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett (replaces Eat, Pray, Love as the book selection)
Tuesday, October 21, 12:00 p.m.

NOVEMBER
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Tuesday, November 18, 12:00 p.m.

DECEMBER
Beloved Impostor by Patricia Potter
Tuesday, December 16, 12:00 p.m.

"We are excited that on December 16, Ms. Potter, who lives in Cordova, will be coming to the Book Club Meeting herself, to talk about her book and also to talk about the art of writing." --Phillip Williams, Moderator

Library Location, Hours, and Contact Information












Book Lover's Book Club

OCTOBER
The Pilot's Wife by Anita Shreve
Tuesday, October 21, 1:30 p.m.
Meet at Olive Garden Restaurant, 7778 Winchester Road, Memphis, TN 38125

NOVEMBER
To Be Announced
Tuesday, November 18, 1:30 p.m.

DECEMBER
To Be Announced
Tuesday, December 16, 1:30 p.m

Library Location, Hours, and Contact Information











Second Saturday Book Club

OCTOBER
The Appeal by John Grisham
Saturday, October 11, 1:30 p.m.

NOVEMBER
From Baghdad, With Love: A Marine, The War, and a Dog Named Lava by Jay Kopelman and Melinda Roth
Saturday, November 8, 1:30 p.m.

DECEMBER
No meeting.


Library Location, Hours, and Contact Information













North Renaissance Men's Book Club

OCTOBER
Never Go Home Again by Shannon Holmes
Saturday, October 18, 2:00 p.m.
Meet at Hollywood Branch Library


NOVEMBER
The Real Cool Killers by Chester Himes
Saturday, November 15, 2:00 p.m.


DECEMBER
The Knees of Gullah Island by Dwight Fryer
Saturday, December 20, 2:00pm
Joint Meeting with North Women's Book Club
Learn more about the Renaissance Men's Book Club



North Women's Book Club

OCTOBER
The Legend of Quito Road by Dwight Fryer
Saturday, October 25, 2:00 p.m.


NOVEMBER
Miracle at St. Anna by James McBride
Saturday, November 22, 2:00 p.m.


DECEMBER
The Knees of Gullah Island by Dwight Fryer
Saturday, December 20, 2:00pm (Joint Meeting with North Renaissance Men's Book Club)

Library Location, Hours, and Contact Information












Parkway Village Book Club

OCTOBER
The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett
Wednesday, October 15, 2:00 p.m.

NOVEMBER
Wish You Well by David Baldacci
Wednesday, November 19, 2:00 p.m.

DECEMBER
Christmas Books
Wednesday, December 17, 2:00 p.m.

Library Location, Hours, and Contact Information












Raleigh Book Club

OCTOBER
Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler
Saturday, October 25, 12:00 p.m.


Library Location, Hours, and Contact Information