Meet the band, I mean the book club, who is on a mission to grab the title
Eat Drink and Literary seen above in costumes inspired by Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run
For the past two years, Eat Drink and Be Literary has turned their love of books into a winning strategy, scoring the most points in Book Club Madness, our free competition where book clubs complete challenges centered around Charlotte Mecklenburg Library.
Week after week, this powerhouse club mastered every challenge — proving that literary passion and teamwork can go hand in hand. And the biggest surprise of all? Eat Drink and Be Literary only has SIX members!
But what drives their success? And can they make it three years in a row? Let’s take a closer look at how Eat Drink and Be Literary continues to dominate the competition. We asked them to reveal their secrets… and they answered!
By Maggie Bean with Lisa Faris
Maggie Bean: How long have you been together?
Lisa Faris: Eat Drink and Be Literary began in 2018. However, it is important to note that three of our members were part of another book club that began in 2006.
Maggie: Who are your members?
Lisa: We are Cara Hackett, Stephanie Hall, Heidi Pisacano, Amanda St. Amand, Edra Alonso, and myself.
Maggie: How do you select the books you read?
Lisa: Member’s choice. Each of us have a couple of favorite genres, and we usually stick to those ranging from historical fiction, the classics, biographies and autobiographies, true crime, fantasy and romance.
Maggie: Where do you meet? And how often?
Lisa: We meet once a month. Given that we have six members, each has two months per calendar year and the member either hosts at their home or we meet at a restaurant — especially if there is restaurant with a special cuisine that we can tie to the book. For example, in 2024, Cara selected The Wager — a book about a shipwreck — we dined at Fin and Fino, Also, in 2024, Amanda selected The Diver’s Clothes Lie Empty set in Morrocco — we met out at Chapter 6 for Mediterranean food.
At each meeting we discuss and review the book in great detail. If the book has provided questions, we answer those and often we cast the book as well. We have our own Instagram, and each month we post a review of our book and pictures, tag the author if we can. And on many occasions, we have reached to the author to join us.
Our calendar is set each December. Each month when we meet, at the conclusion, the member scheduled next “reveals” their selection.
Maggie: OK, here’s what everyone want to know. What’s the secret to scoring Book Club Madness points?
Lisa: First, we take the competition VERY SERIOUSLY. And knowing that we are competing with book clubs that have 20+ members, we know each of us must devote the time and effort of several people. And, as captain I act as a project manager. I build a spreadsheet for the weekly challenges and keep everyone on task to score as many points as possible. We utilize every opportunity associated with the challenges — including rating and reviewing as many books as possible and another great example from the 2024 challenge was our book giveaway — we cleaned out our closets.
Maggie: What have been the best books you’ve read?
Lisa: We choose our book of the year which is revealed at our annual Christmas book club. Recent winners are The Women, The Sun Does Shine, My Year of Rest and Relaxation and Helter Skelter.
Maggie: Book club or wine club?
Lisa: Definitely book club! Although there are always plenty of spirits around at our gatherings. We are a very close group of friends who are fueled by literature, food and knowledge. Yes, we are over the top. Every month our meeting includes a book-based menu including a special cocktail, character and or themed dress-up, tablescapes and decorations and usually take-home gift. And a playlist… yes, a playlist. Amanda creates a custom playlist for all of our books.
In January 2025, our book was A Game of Thrones, everyone was assigned a character from the book for dress up and had to come prepared to shoot a video of their character’s favorite quote. The menu included a Fire & Ice cocktail, dragon eggs, medieval chicken and roast, black bread, lemon cakes and a Winter is Coming after dinner cocktail. Each member left with either a wolf or dragon ring to kiss. A favorite song from the playlist — “The Things We do for Love”.
Yes, we are over the top.
Maggie: I love your dedication to a theme! So, hardback or paperback?
Lisa: All of the above including Audible and Kindle.
Maggie: Why is supporting the Library important to your club?
Lisa: Well, first and foremost, libraries have played a very important role throughout the lives of our members. Second, we understand what a critical role our libraries play in making a vibrant community.
Maggie: You haven’t won the Verse & Vino prize yet, but fingers crossed for this year. What do you love about the event?
Lisa: Even though we have not won the drawing for the Verse & Vino table, we have attended the event for the past three years. It’s our Super Bowl! We adore getting to meet the authors and hearing their back stories as to how the library shaped their life and careers. We feel the same way!
[Lisa did want readers to know that they did win t-shirts, David Baldacci selected bottle of wine, and VIP status at the Tommy Tomilson’s Dogland event last year. Scoring high does have its rewards. —Maggie]
Maggie: This year SkillPop is donating a package for ten people for one of their amazing live classes and it’s one of our new top scorer prizes. If you won, which would you choose?
Lisa: Start Your Side Hustle
Maggie: Last question, what’s your favorite part of Book Club Madness?
Lisa: The challenges especially the ones that take us into the Library!
First, we take the competition VERY SERIOUSLY. And knowing that we are competing with book clubs that have 20+ members, we know each of us must devote the time and effort of several people.”
Yes, we are over the top. Every month our meeting includes a book-based menu including a special cocktail, character and or themed dress-up, tablescapes and decorations and usually take-home gift. And a playlist… yes, a playlist. Amanda creates a custom playlist for all of our books.”
