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.
Showing posts with label Book Clubs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Clubs. Show all posts
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Traveling to novel destinations
Has anyone noticed I haven't been around in a while? It's true! I've been on vacation for three weeks, something not many people get to do.
Where did I go, you ask? Well, not anywhere in particular. About 30 minutes, 30 miles in all directions. Mostly stayed home and enjoyed reading. Remember in an earlier blog I told you about all those books I want to read this summer?
And I joined another book club! Just can't seem to get enough of those book clubs. One club meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Western Sizzlin'. Another book club meets the first Monday at 10 a.m. at an apartment complex's clubhouse. But the third book club is right here at the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library. And its theme is "Novel Destinations."
Meeting each Tuesday evening in June from 6:30 to 7:30 in the library, our little group consists of about 14 people, just the right size for sharing what books we're reading (or have read) and having a program.
Last week Janet Litherland from Thomasville, an author who has traveled to Ireland and Scotland, gave a program about how she researches for her books. She showed us pictures of the various sites she has visited and told how the scenery and people influenced her stories. Tonight we're going to have a speaker talk to us about cruises she has taken, the various ports where she landed, and how enjoyable her trips were to foreign lands.
Our displays around the library consist of suitcases filled with books that pertain to different countries, different cultures, adventures, and fabulous travels. Our two lighted glass cases hold items from a variety of foreign countries; some items that will make you even more curious about that particular land.
As for some of the books we have in the library that might interest you in joining our book club, maybe these will encourage you to read about novel destinations.
A Book of Travellers' Tales Assembled by Eric Newby. There are some 300 plus writers and subjects represented in this book, a veritable Who's Who of travellers from 430 B.C. to the 1980s. There is a story about David Livingstone being attacked by a lion in Africa. Cecil Beaton has an evening with the Rolling Stones in Marrakesh. Hannibal crosses the Alps. And Byron visits Ali Pasha, the bloodthirsty governor of Albania. Even a story about John Steinbeck trying to get out of a small town in upstate New York. Sounds like a good read to me.
A book I think I'd really like to read is My Love Affair with England, A Traveler's Memoir by Susan Allen Toth. In her book, Ms. Toth brings a special England vividly to life as she tells about exploring the countryside, traveling in both second-class and in luxury, theatre-hopping, ghost-hunting, and honeymooning. It's not only a humorous and bittersweet writing, but wonderfully eccentric and gives us a different view of England, rather than being an extension of the States.
The Way of the Wanderer, Discover Your True Self Through Travel is by David Yeadon, who has also illustrated the book with delightful pictures. Jan Morris, author of Fifty Years of Europe, said, "This book is full of strange, moving, and entertaining experiences, drawn from 25 years of wandering our mysterious globe." Yeadon takes us on his solo jaunt at age four just outside his Yorkshire front door, through Iran in later years, into Aboriginal old ways, on a deer hunt in Norway, and into a Shinto temple in Japan. His stories provide a road map for fellow wanders to realize their dreams and experience travel as a key to their own multifaceted selves.
There are so many books about travels you can find at the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library. Be sure when you start your search for the perfect travel book that you look for the one with the alligator on the cover. It's titled Up the Amazon Without a Paddle, 60 Offbeat Adventures Around the World, written by Doug Lansky. I'm going to give you a hint...it's on the table with the big green suitcase!
If you can't make tonight at 6:30, then plan to come next Tuesday, June 28, for The Virtual Tourist. And schedule your calendar so you can attend on July 12 for Romanzo Destinazioni (about Italy) and August 9 for a surprise program.
You just can't beat a good book club as a wat to find out about great books!!!!
Where did I go, you ask? Well, not anywhere in particular. About 30 minutes, 30 miles in all directions. Mostly stayed home and enjoyed reading. Remember in an earlier blog I told you about all those books I want to read this summer?
And I joined another book club! Just can't seem to get enough of those book clubs. One club meets on the fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Western Sizzlin'. Another book club meets the first Monday at 10 a.m. at an apartment complex's clubhouse. But the third book club is right here at the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library. And its theme is "Novel Destinations."
Meeting each Tuesday evening in June from 6:30 to 7:30 in the library, our little group consists of about 14 people, just the right size for sharing what books we're reading (or have read) and having a program.
Last week Janet Litherland from Thomasville, an author who has traveled to Ireland and Scotland, gave a program about how she researches for her books. She showed us pictures of the various sites she has visited and told how the scenery and people influenced her stories. Tonight we're going to have a speaker talk to us about cruises she has taken, the various ports where she landed, and how enjoyable her trips were to foreign lands.
Our displays around the library consist of suitcases filled with books that pertain to different countries, different cultures, adventures, and fabulous travels. Our two lighted glass cases hold items from a variety of foreign countries; some items that will make you even more curious about that particular land.
As for some of the books we have in the library that might interest you in joining our book club, maybe these will encourage you to read about novel destinations.
A Book of Travellers' Tales Assembled by Eric Newby. There are some 300 plus writers and subjects represented in this book, a veritable Who's Who of travellers from 430 B.C. to the 1980s. There is a story about David Livingstone being attacked by a lion in Africa. Cecil Beaton has an evening with the Rolling Stones in Marrakesh. Hannibal crosses the Alps. And Byron visits Ali Pasha, the bloodthirsty governor of Albania. Even a story about John Steinbeck trying to get out of a small town in upstate New York. Sounds like a good read to me.
A book I think I'd really like to read is My Love Affair with England, A Traveler's Memoir by Susan Allen Toth. In her book, Ms. Toth brings a special England vividly to life as she tells about exploring the countryside, traveling in both second-class and in luxury, theatre-hopping, ghost-hunting, and honeymooning. It's not only a humorous and bittersweet writing, but wonderfully eccentric and gives us a different view of England, rather than being an extension of the States.
The Way of the Wanderer, Discover Your True Self Through Travel is by David Yeadon, who has also illustrated the book with delightful pictures. Jan Morris, author of Fifty Years of Europe, said, "This book is full of strange, moving, and entertaining experiences, drawn from 25 years of wandering our mysterious globe." Yeadon takes us on his solo jaunt at age four just outside his Yorkshire front door, through Iran in later years, into Aboriginal old ways, on a deer hunt in Norway, and into a Shinto temple in Japan. His stories provide a road map for fellow wanders to realize their dreams and experience travel as a key to their own multifaceted selves.
There are so many books about travels you can find at the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library. Be sure when you start your search for the perfect travel book that you look for the one with the alligator on the cover. It's titled Up the Amazon Without a Paddle, 60 Offbeat Adventures Around the World, written by Doug Lansky. I'm going to give you a hint...it's on the table with the big green suitcase!
If you can't make tonight at 6:30, then plan to come next Tuesday, June 28, for The Virtual Tourist. And schedule your calendar so you can attend on July 12 for Romanzo Destinazioni (about Italy) and August 9 for a surprise program.
You just can't beat a good book club as a wat to find out about great books!!!!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Good Reading At The Book Club
We had our regular monthly book club meeting last night with our regular eight members. That's a nice number. We usually meet for an hour, but sometimes it's a little longer. Leaves time for everyone to talk about what they've been reading. And we had some good discussions last night.
It was interesting to note there were quite a few "deep"reads in the group. Of course, there are a few like me who had a lighter read, but look at what the group was reading:
**The Secret Message of Jesus by Brian McLaren
**Self Matters by Phil McGraw
**The Last Juror by John Grisham
**Lee and Grant by Gene Smith
**Truman by David McCullough
**The Washington Century by Burt Solomon
**The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood, and
**Nine Women by Shirley Ann Grau.
If you have a book club, is it one where everyone reads the same book? Or do they read different books to report about? Do you meet in the homes of your members or in a community room of a bank or restaurant? Do you limit your membership or have it open to as many who want to attend? If you don't have a book club, would you like to start one? Or would you like to be part of one?
I'm a firm believer that books will never go away and that people will always want to talk about what they're reading. That might be one of the things we start here at the library. It's certainly something to think about. Right?
It was interesting to note there were quite a few "deep"reads in the group. Of course, there are a few like me who had a lighter read, but look at what the group was reading:
**The Secret Message of Jesus by Brian McLaren
**Self Matters by Phil McGraw
**The Last Juror by John Grisham
**Lee and Grant by Gene Smith
**Truman by David McCullough
**The Washington Century by Burt Solomon
**The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood, and
**Nine Women by Shirley Ann Grau.
If you have a book club, is it one where everyone reads the same book? Or do they read different books to report about? Do you meet in the homes of your members or in a community room of a bank or restaurant? Do you limit your membership or have it open to as many who want to attend? If you don't have a book club, would you like to start one? Or would you like to be part of one?
I'm a firm believer that books will never go away and that people will always want to talk about what they're reading. That might be one of the things we start here at the library. It's certainly something to think about. Right?
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Have You Ever Been A Member Of A Book Club?
Our book club held its monthly meeting last night. We meet at a local restaurant in one of their meeting rooms. Some of us come early enough to have supper. Others come early enough to chat before our meeting begins at 7 p.m.
We're a small group, but that's good because it gives us enough time to talk about what we've been reading. Last night eight of us discussed our latest books. I like this time because it's where I learn about new books I want to read.
When our group was first organized, we all tried reading the same book. We met at a local church and each person put into "the hat" the name of a book he'd like the group to read. We soon found that many of us didn't like those deep dark thrillers or the sweet little stories with recipes included. We soon found that each person wanted to read their preference and would be delighted to tell the group about their book. So, that's what we do now.
Our group reads a variety of topics: history, poetry, sci-fi, Southern tales, pet stories, political; lots of everything. And like all good readers when we talk about books, one thing leads to another and before you know it, we have covered a wide range of intellectual stuff, not only books.
Three books that were talked about last night interested me.
The Intention Experiment by Lynne McTaggart tells about an experiment that is leading scientists and readers around the world to test the power of our thoughts to change the physical world.
The Shack by William P. Young is about a man whose youngest daughter was abducted during a family vacation and evidence is found that she may have been murdered in an abandoned shack. Four years later, the father receives a suspicious note inviting him back to that shack. What he finds there changes his world.
And Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. This is a humorous novel (a caper someone called it) set in Florida about a woman who takes revenge on her cheating husband after he tried to murder her. It also revolves around the ongoing project to save the Florida Everglades as a natural habitat.
If you don't belong to a book club, why not think about starting one. It's a great way to learn about books you might want to read, and a great way to share with others what you have read. It's also a great way to meet other people, form friendships, and maybe even share a meal or two.
And just remember...those new books you find you might want to read can be obtained through your local library. They are either on the shelves or can be ordered through the Inter-Library Loan System.
Come check us out.
We're a small group, but that's good because it gives us enough time to talk about what we've been reading. Last night eight of us discussed our latest books. I like this time because it's where I learn about new books I want to read.
When our group was first organized, we all tried reading the same book. We met at a local church and each person put into "the hat" the name of a book he'd like the group to read. We soon found that many of us didn't like those deep dark thrillers or the sweet little stories with recipes included. We soon found that each person wanted to read their preference and would be delighted to tell the group about their book. So, that's what we do now.
Our group reads a variety of topics: history, poetry, sci-fi, Southern tales, pet stories, political; lots of everything. And like all good readers when we talk about books, one thing leads to another and before you know it, we have covered a wide range of intellectual stuff, not only books.
Three books that were talked about last night interested me.
The Intention Experiment by Lynne McTaggart tells about an experiment that is leading scientists and readers around the world to test the power of our thoughts to change the physical world.
The Shack by William P. Young is about a man whose youngest daughter was abducted during a family vacation and evidence is found that she may have been murdered in an abandoned shack. Four years later, the father receives a suspicious note inviting him back to that shack. What he finds there changes his world.
And Skinny Dip by Carl Hiaasen. This is a humorous novel (a caper someone called it) set in Florida about a woman who takes revenge on her cheating husband after he tried to murder her. It also revolves around the ongoing project to save the Florida Everglades as a natural habitat.
If you don't belong to a book club, why not think about starting one. It's a great way to learn about books you might want to read, and a great way to share with others what you have read. It's also a great way to meet other people, form friendships, and maybe even share a meal or two.
And just remember...those new books you find you might want to read can be obtained through your local library. They are either on the shelves or can be ordered through the Inter-Library Loan System.
Come check us out.
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