We' reading-proof about reading books

     When we began the reading club for adults here at the library, we wondered how it would go.  I mean, there are a few other book clubs here in town.  What would make ours any different?  We're not going to be meeting in the comfort of a cozy home.  We're not going to be serving wine with books or even a pot-luck meal.  So, what could we do to make our book club different?
     That was the question our group leader, Aileen, took to heart.
     The first year (last year), she planned an interesting program for nearly every meeting.  The entire year (exceptions were May, a graduation month, and December, Christmas events) was titled Novel Destinations.  Reading suggestions were books that took us to foreign countries, but also allowed us to read about our own country, i.e., the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii, etc.  Program presenters ranged from local travel agents to people in our group who were willing to share their travels to exciting places with the rest of us.
     At one point sixteen people were present.  Aileen distributed gifts at the first meeting that related to travel, which probably bumped up the attendance.  But we soon found, like with most groups, the people who make books a priority in their lives are the ones who stay interested and will return.
     When you read about how to start a book club, most authors say try to stay with about ten people; makes for easier discussions, gives everyone time to talk, etc.  So, we accomplished that goal.
     Well, here we are now in our second year, which is called Between the Covers.  These are titles suggested by the American Library Association, and they provide items you can promote your book club with, such as bookmarks, book bags, cups, pencils, pens, etc.
     The group from last year's club met this past April and decided how they would like the Between the Covers club to operate...staying with the same day and time, bringing snacks to munch on, and serving coffee or lemonade.  And giving out gifts at the second meeting.  They also decided upon a suggested genre for each month.  The ALA had provided suggestions for that also.  They agreed the topic for June would be Books That Keep You Up All Night, and they had a couple of months to read books in the genre of Thrillers & Survival.
     When the June meeting arrived, eight people attended, not only to discuss books, but to learn about a new library resource called  OneClickdigital.  The library director, Melody Jenkins, gave a visual presentation about downloadable audiobooks, now available to all with a library card.  We were given the opportunity to expand our reading, especially while driving, in a plane, or washing dishes.
     After the presentation and a serving of munchies, we got down to the serious business of discussing what we'd been reading.
     We are readers of a great selection of authors.  Look at this list we discussed:
     *  John Grisham's The Litigators and The Brethern
     *  Steve Berry's The Jefferson Key
     *  Patricia Cornwell's Body of Evidence
     *  John Jakes' Savannah, or also called A Gift for Mr. Lincoln
     *  Chris Pavone's The Expats
     *  Marcus Luttrell's Lone Survivor
     *  Cameron Wright's Letters for Emily,  and
     *  Lee Child's Without Fail.
Needless to say, we had a lively discussion about Thrillers and Survival.
     And then Aileen gave us another genre for July!  Books About Books was the suggested genre.  These are books in which authors or books feature prominently in the plot, including literary agents, book sellers and publishers, and book store owners.
     Sooo, when this Tuesday arrives, we should all be ready to share our latest reads.
     We meet the second Tuesday of each month (except for May and December) at 6:30 p.m., right here in the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library's auditorium.  We each bring a little plate or bowl of something edible to share, and we bring what we've been reading.  We stay for about an hour.  And boy! do we have a good time.  We don't all read the same book, but for each month we read in the same genre.  Book selection is your decision.  Not all of us like the same book or same author.  It's good to have control over what we like to read.  That's one thing that makes our book club different from others.
     If you're a lover of books, a lover of reading, come join us.  Men and women alike are welcome.  And by the way, Between the Covers means between the covers of books!  It's about what we're reading.