JAWS fan throws book party and finally reads the novel... here's what she thought

Hi! I have loved “Jaws” since I first saw it in 4th grade when it came out. However, I never read the book until 2020. I wanted to introduce some Millennials to this cult classic in our Book Club.

We read it for January and just had our meeting to discuss. They enjoyed it as much as the “Jaws” themed snacks. Thanks for your page…it’s JAWSome!

“Jaws” is my favorite all time movie! I saw it when I was in 4th grade when it was released. To me, “Jaws” is the ultimate horror film because sharks are real and the ocean is vast with so many unknowns.

Thus, my fascination with sharks began. Fast forward 48 years, and I read the book for the first time. I enjoyed it so much I wanted to share it with my Book Club. It was our January read. I wanted to make the meeting fun, so I had a bunch of “Jaws” snacks.

Everyone devoured the Alex Kintner snack just like Jaws did. Needless to say, the group really enjoyed “Jaws” by Peter Benchley. When asked if they wanted to watch the movie after reading the book, it was a resounding yes! Fan favorite…Quint, of course. We even got some Quint’s mints!

Thoughts on the book “Jaws “. I was surprised how different the book “Jaws” was from the movie. So much so that I researched and read that Peter Benchley (spoiler alert if you haven’t read the book yet) said he was asked to remove all the mob stuff and the affair Ellen had with Hooper writing the screenplay. I am glad I saw the movie first, even if I was only a fourth grader at the time verses reading the book now as an adult. I LOVE the movie “Jaws”! I like the book “Jaws”. I like the fluid storyline of the movie better than the book.

Tips on throwing a “Jaws” themed Book Club party…

Get the plates, cups, and napkins with “Jaws” on them because that sets the tone making obvious the theme. Use any blue tablecloth to help create the “ocean” and accentuate the plates, cups, napkins, and snacks. Use clear bowls, plates, and vases to serve your eats so everyone can see the “bait” and “seaweed” to enhance the party affect. I think the best thing I came up with was the small bar of chocolate (raft) with the teddy graham on it to be Alex Kintner. Just remember, you can use any triangle shaped food for a shark fin and anything red for “blood”. And don’t forget insightful questions about the book. Some of the members pointed out racial overtones in the book which I had never thought of. It made for a great dialogue about the generation “Jaws” was written and the times. Most importantly, have fun with it because “Jaws” is fun, exciting, scary, touching, intense, and enjoyable!

Words and images Ruth Garrett

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