WM Words & Wine Affinity Group (Virtual)

The Heart of Winter by Jonathan Evison

The extraordinary new novel by Jonathan Evison, about a married couple in their golden years, from when they met across big ups, deep downs, and survive-it-all, opposites-attract love

Abe Winter and Ruth Warneke were never meant to be together—at least if you ask Ruth. Yet their catastrophic blind date in college evolved into a seventy-year marriage and a life on a farm on Bainbridge Island with their hens and beloved Labrador, Megs. Through the years, the Winters have fallen in and out of lockstep, and from their haunting losses and guarded secrets, a dependable partnership has been forged.

But when Ruth’s loose tooth turns out to be something much more malicious, the beautiful, reliable life they’ve created together comes to a crisis. As Ruth struggles with her crumbling independence, Abe must learn how to take care of her while their three living children question his ability to look after his wife. And once again, the couple has to reconfigure how to be there for each other.

In this bighearted and profound portrait of a marriage, Jonathan Evison explores seventy years of big moments in subtle ways, elegantly braiding the Winters’ turbulent history with their present-day battles, showing us how the oddly paired college kids became parents, fell apart and back together, and grew into the Abe and Ruth of today. Endlessly heartwarming and moving, The Heart of Winter is a reminder that true love lives in small, everyday moments.

A Seattle Times Bestseller
One of The Washington Post’s 10 Noteworthy Books for January
One of The Los Angeles Times’ 10 Books to Add to Your Reading List in January
One of The Seattle Times’ 24 Books to Look Out for in 2025
One of Kirkus' Best 20 Books to Read in January

Words & Wine Affinity Group

“Words & Wine” offers a relaxed gathering at a local restaurant to discuss recent reads and enjoy a lively interactive discussion. We meet at various local restaurants for food and a glass of wine (or any other beverage you prefer!) while taking the opportunity to network. The group encourages members to suggest books for subsequent monthly book club get-togethers. Our group is primarily virtual with some in-person meetings occasionally throughout the year. Meeting the 4th Wednesday of each month.

Some examples of our most recent reads are “The Little Paris Bookshop”, Nina George; “Sense and Sensibility”, Jane Austen and this month we’re reading a selection from Reese Witherspoon’s book club “Where the Crawdads Sing”, Delia Owens. (Finishing the book is never a prerequisite for attending the club meetings!) Check out the Inforum Events page for upcoming meeting details. Happy reading!

Join Zoom Meeting
https://myinforum-org.zoom.us/j/88536237840?pwd=jJWSyzVyqLyDQrYpRuVCaG5TxWWKoI.1

Meeting ID: 885 3623 7840
Passcode: 506198

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Words & Wine Affinity Group Leaders

Hillary Kitchin Hillary.Kitchin@roberthalf.com

MaryEm Musser mmusser@kpmg.com