I said in the comments to The Traveler’s Gift that I’d give a report on how my in-person book group went… but first, I think I need to tell you a bit about it.
We’re a group of women from my church, ranging in age from late-20s to 76 (she’s a firecracker; I hope I’m that spunky when I’m 76!). We — there’s usually anywhere from 4 to 10 of us — meet once a month, rotating homes, to chat about books, life, religion… whatever suits our mood (last night it was yard work and lingerie. Don’t ask.). We nominate books once a year, and then one woman organizes it into a list, two books per month. The deal is: read both, read one, don’t read at all, just come. 🙂 I think they’ve done a fairly good job over the years (I only started going last year when I moved here; I think the group’s been going for at least 7 years) reading a balanced selection of classics and contemporary fiction. But, as is always the case, opinions on those books range widely. We are not intellectuals; most of the time our discussions are about things other than the books. And more often than not, if people haven’t read the book, our “discussion” is more along the lines of convincing those who haven’t read the book to read it.
Last night was, actually, fairly tame. I have to say that I wasn’t the only one who disliked the books… though I think we were in the minority. I put out, for the Inheritance, my reasons for disliking posthumously published works (and yes, I used that word in a sentence, and yes, they did make fun of me for doing so), which Mdme. 76 dismissed out of hand. Who cares? It was a good, moral book. In fact, that was the main consensus: it was light, it was moral therefore it was a good story. They were glad it was printed; even though I bemoaned the fact that this, of all of Alcott’s works, was the least worthy. Ah, well. I didn’t go to convince people of my position.
As for the Traveler’s Gift, the consensus was, again, that because the ideas were good, the book was worth reading. I was really glad when someone else said that the ideas were great, everyone needs them, but the writing was crap. (YAY!) I gave a very impassioned defense of getting to know Joshua Chamberlin from another source… and then got labeled a deep reader. I think that’s the first time that’s ever happened. I know that over at my online book group, I’m one of the shallow readers, not understanding, not getting a third of what the books that we read are about.
But, really, isn’t that why we go to book groups? (At least that’s why I do.) I go not only because I enjoy the company of these women, but I am glad they pick books that I wouldn’t normally. I enjoy what they have to say, even when I vehemently disagree with them. (I’d get made fun of for using that word, too.) But I’m also glad for the Nook, for an opportunity to associate with people who challenge my reading and then help me understand what I’ve read. I need both in my life. And I think on some small level, even though I’m not nearly the most well-read of the group, I hope to help challenge and stretch others. (That is, if I don’t offend them all.)
All this got me to thinking: Why do you go to book groups? What do you get out of them? What do you bring to them? Are they a worthwhile part of your life?
Oh, we spent a considerable amount of time talking about Stephenie Meyer last night. Mdme. 76 wanted to know if she should read them. I don’t know if she will, but you know, I’d love to hear what she thinks of Bella and Edward. Even if she hates it.
The Book Nut 