Booked
In October 2013, my friend Liz and I met up for a low-key afternoon of coffee and chatter. At some point, the two of us got onto the topic of literature, and how we had gotten away from the practice of regularly reading books. Out of that conversation came the idea of starting a book club, and, fortunately, we were able to run with the idea. As a result of that short conversation, I've gotten to read six books that I probably wouldn't have checked out, engaged in interesting conversations, tried out a few cafes, and gotten to know some new friends. The weekly meetings have really been a fun thing to look forward to over the past year.
The group started small, with three active members, but expanded to six in the spring. While life would sometimes get in the way of meetings, and people may occasionally need to sit a book out when other responsibilities take priority, we've persisted and been able to keep up a good pace without abandoning any books.
So far, we've read the following books: (1) Everything is Illuminated, (2) The Marriage Plot, (3) The Woman Upstairs, (4) The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, (5) Strange Bodies, and (6) The Interestings. We've just started on The Wicked Girls, and I'm sure there will be plenty of good books to come. Generally, the selection process is pretty easygoing; once we've finished a book, or shortly before, we'll start throwing out suggestions for what we'd want to read next, both general (e.g. strong female characters, nonfiction) and specific, and eventually will decide on a title that sounds interesting to everyone. I usually take care of setting up the meetings and setting the pace for reading assignments.
The rewards of participating in the book club have been many. It's been fun to analyze themes, allusions, and ideas in a way that I haven't regularly done since English class. And there is something nice about being able to have a discussion about something you've prepared to talk about; I can sometimes be a little shy, and it gives me confidence to participate in a conversation where I have points to make and have something to contribute.
In addition, the social aspects of going to a book club have been valuable. It is helpful to have a regular activity and reason to meet up with friends and catch up. The book discussions often can provide insights into members' interests and personalities, and there is always a little bit of time for us to chat about what's been happening in our lives, and offer support and advice.
I hope that the book club will continue to grow and move in new directions, but, as it stands, it's been a fun and enriching experiment. I look forward to seeing what comes next.