To say that I’m a book nerd would be an understatement. I have a constant rotation of books on just about every flat surface, along with eBooks on both Nook and Kindle apps, and….two different “to be read” lists – a business list & pleasure list – that I’ll never outlive. With all due respect to non-readers (how do those people even exist?!) I can’t imagine not having something to read at all times. The one thing I’m missing….the perfect book club.
Attempt #1
I’ve attempted book clubs in the past, without a lot of success. My first foray was through a small public library. They had a 5-book program with open invitation to read selected books, then attend discussions for each book. I thought it would be a good route to try. The books selected looked interesting and outside of my normal reads, and the sessions were being led by professionals who had credentials in literature. I always loved literature classes in high school and college, and I thought maybe this would be similar. And…I thought if I hated it, I could quietly fade into the woodwork and not return. Anonymity has its advantages.
Can I just say it was painful? Discussion was zero. Was it because it was a roomful of strangers? Or was it because while we all loved to read, we truthfully didn’t want to dissect the enjoyment out of reading? I lasted through two sessions and cried, “Uncle”, skulking away never to return.
Try it Again
My next attempt was with a group of girlfriends. We all had very different tastes in books, had different life backgrounds, our ages ran early 40s to mid-70s. Our “bylaws” said 1) no one was forced to read a book, 2) you could stop reading something you didn’t like, 3) we would rotate hosting, 4) whoever hosted picked the book, and 5) all gatherings would include wine and snacks. We gathered religiously every single month, enjoyed wine and snacks, and talked about the latest gossip, how work was going, children challenges….but not the books. Oh sure, we shared whether we like it or not, but that’s it. It was marvelous….but not a book club!
My Retirement Goal
When I worked in senior living, I had the privilege of meeting a group of women, some of them my residents, who had belonged to a particular book club for nearly 50 years….read that again….50 years! The group had ebbed and flowed over the years as their lives changed, members moving away and some passing away. But some 50 years later, that group was still going strong at over 80 members.
The Perfect Book Club
My retirement goal is to find or build a book club that I can be a part of for as many years as I’m able. I want one that meets regularly as in without fail, connects friendship and fellowship, maybe includes a few snacks and wine, and occasionally pushes me out of my book comfort zone. Until then, I’ve joined a book club whose members include a favorite blanket, a fireplace, soft instrumental music, hot tea…and me.
Do you belong to a book club? What do you love about it? I’d love to hear all about it in the comments below! And, be sure to follow my Fab 5 book recommendation series! You can search “Fab 5” anytime via the search bar on the right, or hop on over to Pinterest and my Bookworm board for a ton of great book lists.
