Dear Great Book Guru,  This weekend is the Sea Cliff Civic Association's annual Progressive Dinner and I am very excited to be attending.  I am sure that some time during the evening - maybe at appetizers, maybe at dinner- the talk will turn to books and I would like to be able to contribute to the conversation. What would be a good book to read ahead of time?   Progressive Dinner Diner

Dear Progressive Dinner Diner,  Tina Marchese who has chaired this event over the last ten years does a fabulous job and I am sure this year's  will be better than ever.  And lucky for you, I have the perfect book: Fred Stroppel's just published LUCKY ME  that he has written with Sachi Parker, daughter of actress Shirley MacLaine.  Fred is a local celebrity here in Sea Cliff and  a well known writer in the wider world of network TV and Off-Broadway theater .   Sachi and Fred combine their talents to tell a story of much greater interest than simply  a celebrity memoir. No, they tell  a universal  story of family:  the painful misunderstandings, miscues, secrets, and ultimately great affection that characterizes the histories of so many of us, but Sachi's  is acted out on an international stage under the scrutiny  of a very  demanding  public.  A fascinating read and highly recommended!