Toss out those dogeared, water-stained beach reads. It's time to reconnect and talk of ... well, summer beach reads, among other things. No better way to get your head moving again than to share sips, treats and book talk. Doubtless some July and August choices will become selections for the reading year. My own recommendations to the Off-Track Bookies will be Colum McCann's "This Side of Brightness" and "The Orchardist" by Amanda Coplin.
To
help "sell" your suggestion, bring along a copy of the book and print
out a little information about it; you won't have much time to push your
choice, so make it count. If you are really strong on a book, you might
consider e-mailing information to group members a few days before the meeting.
Large
groups are more tricky; many have a lead person on the process, like the
librarian or group leader. Send your recommendation to them; it helps.
Not
all groups choose a whole season at once. Ours breaks it up into increments,
and some groups go month to month, allowing for flexibility as well as keeping
up with books new to the market.
If
you are new to the idea and want to find out if a book club is right for you,
start at the library, where you can get the book readily and there's a
librarian there to guide the discussion.
Alternatively,
if you think you'd like to start a group, contact friends (or coworkers you can
stand) and invite them. You can also seek out people interested in a special
writer or topic (you may have to list the group on www.meetup.com or at special
interest meeting places—colleges, coffee shops, newsletters—to find similar
souls). Then, dig up books about or by that author/topic. You can also post
your prospective group on library bulletin boards, among your Facebook friends
or in a community listing with the local newspaper and town website. Meetup.com
is another handy place to find like-minded readers.
Meet
at a book store, library or restaurant for starters, until the group sorts itself
out. After that, consider home meetings if that's a group preference. Do NOT
take advantage of a bookstore or coffee house without buying a little something
from them. It's thoughtless and cheap.
To keep
your new group going, set up ground rules for smoother meetings: no crosstalk
or talking over others, no dominating the conversation; give everyone a chance
to speak; try not to repeat what others have said, and stay on topic. Finally,
respect other people's opinions. Failing to do these things will lose you
members.
Wanted:
By the way, if you would be so kind as to share your season's picks with us,
I'd love to list them in a "what we're reading for 2014-15" column.
E-mail me to the address at the bottom of the column.
This
is also a GREAT time to update your meeting info and contacts for "Read It
and Reap," as I often reach out to group members for feedback on issues
related to book groups and reading. Again, e-mail me as below!
Correction:
I erred in a mention of the Speaking Volumes book group last month. The group
does not broadcast on WICM 90.5; it uses the sub-carrier of WICN's signal to
broadcast. Listeners can catch broadcasts on special radios supplied by the
group or on Public Access TV in many towns throughout Worcester County (channel
12 in Worcester). Others may want to listen through the group's website, www.audiojournal.net.
Upcoming meetings:
The C.S. Lewis Society promotes exploration of ideas from science, the arts,
culture, and everyday life as they intersect with what C.S. Lewis famously
dubbed “mere Christianity.” Its objective is to facilitate engaging discussion
and reflection of topics of enduring value for Christians and non-Christians
alike. All are welcome. To learn more, visit www.lewisma.org. Steven
Barrett will facilitate the 9:15 a.m. session Saturday, Sept. 13 on the first
half of "Miracles" in Auburn Public Library, 369 Southbridge St. A
second meeting, on the second half, is on Sept. 27, same time.
Meanwhile, Auburn Public Library's Evening Book
Discussion Group will consider "The Cuckoo's Calling" by Robert
Galbraith at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 11.
Levi Heywood Memorial Library in Gardner will host
its next book group meeting at 4:30 p.m., Sept. 24. Topic is "The
Orchardist" by Amanda Coplin, a beautifully written novel about losses and
unconditional love in a family created by hardship and need. New members are
welcome; for details, call Ann Young at 978 632 7638
Several events happen in September at Leominster Public
Library. The Brown Bag Book Discussion group will discuss Kristin Hannah's
"Winter Garden," noon to 1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 4, in the meeting
room. Readers may drop by; contact the library to borrow a copy of the book. At
2 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 28, author Stephen Puleo will speak about his book,
"The Caning: The Assault that Drove American to Civil War." Puleo
wrote about a congressman's attack on Sen. Charles Sumner—an incident that
dissolved any pretense of civility between the South and the North on the
slavery debate. The session is free; no pre-registration needed. Lastly, the Evening
Book Group meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m., Sept. 29, to discuss Geraldine Brooks'
"March," which follows the absent father in Louisa Mae Alcott's
"Little Women" as he leaves his family to join the Union cause. Chris
Cormier Hayes will lead that discussion. Request a copy of the book at the
library's reference desk or online through the library's catalogue. For info,
contact Edward Bergman at ebergman@cwmars.org.
The Douglas Library Book Group will consider Ray
Raphael's "The First Amendment Revolution: Before Lexington and
Concord" at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 9. In the years before the Battle of
Lexington and Concord, local people took control over their own destinies,
overturning British authority and declaring themselves free from colonial
oppression, with acts of rebellion that long predated the Boston Tea Party. In
rural towns such as Worcester, democracy set down roots well before the Boston
patriots made their moves in the fight for independence. Call the library
508-476-2695 for a copy of the book. New members welcome. Refreshments inspired
by the title will be served.
The Women's Issues Book Club in Worcester has
selected "The Heretic's Daughter" by Kathleen Kent for its Sept. 8
topic. The author, a tenth-generation descendant of Martha Carrier (who was
hanged as a witch in Salem in 1692), personalizes the witchcraft trials in a
fictional account.
In West Brookfield, members of the Merriam-Gilbert
Public Library book group will discuss “The Remains of the Day” by Kazuo
Ishiguro. Meeting is at 4 p.m., Sept. 25. Call (508) 867-1410 for more
information.
Northborough Free Library's Monday Evening Book Group
has slated "Death Comes to Pemberley" by P.D. James on Sept. 15 at 7
p.m. The Friday Morning Book Group meets at 10 a.m., Sept. 12, to discuss
"The Education of Henry Adams," by Henry Adams. This self-described
"eclectic book group" considers contemporary fiction, nonfiction and
classic fiction. Members also serve tea and the occasional dessert. The group
selects books at the November meeting. "We vote and compile a list of 12
books to be read for the ensuing year—four in each genre," said Marie E.
Nieber, facilitator. "Books scheduled to be read for the upcoming month
are on hand at the library a month ahead of time."
