Well-Read: RI’s Best Book Clubs

Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Robin Kall, GoLocalProv Books Columnist

Although Book Clubs have been around for a long time it is undeniable that they have flourished in the past fifteen years or so due in large part to the Oprah-factor. Inherently a solitary activity, reading and the sharing of books took on a life of its own with the proliferation of books clubs.

The initial concept for the radio show, Reading With Robin, was for it to be an on-air book club. I’d highlight a book at the beginning of each month giving listeners time to read and then join in at the end of the month with a discussion that would include the author. It never worked out that way although through the years I’ve invited book clubs into the studio to chat with the author of a book they were reading. The show evolved into an author interview format and that’s the way it remains today.

I have been invited to join in book clubs and it is always more enticing if it’s a book I’ve already read. Years ago, The Dessert First book club in Woonsocket invited me to their discussion of Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich. It was a great way to meet readers and potential listeners for the show and it included the most fabulous desserts! Holding the meeting at the bakery was heavenly if not distracting.

To get a feel for some of the local Rhode Island book clubs, I sent out questions to groups that I have either been invited to throughout the years or ones that I've been told about. I received such well thought out responses; the overriding themes were feeling strongly about their clubs, the books chosen, and the women in the group. From the more casual to the structured groups a few titles that appeared over and over again included: Little Bee, Sarah’s Key, Unbroken, Room, The Help, and Cutting for Stone.

20 years together

Phyllis F. has a group that has been together the longest at almost 20 years. At one time they were seven members but as two have moved away they are at 5 and the group is not open to having anyone fill those spaces. They have read many of the best sellers: Water For Elephants, The Red Tent, Mudbound, and Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. She describes the group as casual, meeting up for lunch on Saturdays and often winds up talking about their families, politics and movies. Phyllis is also in a book club that meets the last Thursday of each month at the Lincoln Library. There are approximately 10 members plus 2 librarians and this group is open to new members. This club’s titles are limited to titles where they can get enough for the whole group. They go out for dinner after their meeting and many lasting friendships have been formed as Phyllis says she would never want to leave this group.

Nearly like family

Liz P. in nearby Massachusetts tells me her group has 10 members and has been together for thirteen years. They meet once a month for about two hours taking turns at members’ houses and also taking turns choosing the titles. Some recent reads include: Room, Pride and Prejudice, Gift of An Ordinary Day and they are currently reading a popular book club pick – The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. They often follow the discussion questions, which can be found on either the authors’ site or the publisher's. A favorite memory from this group was when they included their children and discussed a Magic Tree House book. To illustrate how close the women in this club have become, sadly when a member was diagnosed with lupus and a long illness ensued, the group came together to help the family. On the anniversary of this woman’s passing the group donated books to the library in her name and also gave her daughter a copy of Bel Canto, the last book they had discussed at her home complete with all members’ signatures.

Bookbinders of Barrington

The “Bookbinders” of Barrington have weighed in with member S.E.’s thoughts; she has been with for about five years although the club has been together for closer to 10. There are 12 members and usually they’ll have 6 to 8 at each meeting (this can be one of the good things about having a larger group to work with) Like many of the groups I interviewed the meetings take place in the evenings at member’s homes and include dessert and then discussion of the book. This group chooses titles several months ahead so that people will have a chance to get started earlier if time allows. “S” shares that she enjoys being part of this book club as well as the one I referenced at the beginning of the piece – 2nd Monday Night Book Club although it can sometimes be a challenge to read both book club books plus the ones that interest her outside of book club. She says, “Once you read one good book, you are more eager to jump into the next one that looks interesting.” Some favorites have been: Cutting For Stone, Snowflower and the Secret Fan, Sarah’s Key and they are also currently reading the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

New Neighbors East Greenwich PM Book Buffs

Together for over 10 years, Melissa W., of the New Neighbors East Greenwich PM Book Buffs meets the first Thursday of each month in the evenings. This group chooses all the titles for the year at their September meeting. Everyone arrives with 5 suggestions and there is a vote for the top 12. She says it works very well and that they are currently reading Curtis Sittenfeld’s American Wife. Some favorites from last year include: Sarah’s Key, Little Bee, and Babyville. They are an extremely casual group.

Reading Between the Wines

“Reading Between The Wines” is a group that takes over where the PM Book Buffs leave off. No longer “new neighbors” Elizabeth A. tells me that they are into their 2nd year of monthly meetings and currently have 11 members. Also meeting in each other’s homes this group runs by each member taking a turn and they are also responsible for picking the title for that meeting. The host will provide some background information about the book and possibly a list of suggested questions for discussion. Their meetings last approximately 2 ½ hours with the first half hour purely social in order to catch up with one another. Some nights have found these women lingering well into early morning! Books read this past year include: The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Mao’s Last Dancer, The Help, The Hunger Games and once again…The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. Elizabeth writes “There is something about the camaraderie that comes from meeting every month, and sitting together in a small group discussion, touching on various topics, that tends to grow close friendships. I look forward to meeting with these women every month…”

Ahead of the Glass

Connie Zack, retired librarian - Cole Middle School in E.G. is in a book club that’s been together for 3 years. There are six members all but one of who are educators or retired educators. They call themselves “Ahead of the Glass” in reference to the wine they enjoy with their often-heated discussions. This group also meets once per month from September through June at a member’s house for a light dinner followed by book discussion. Every so often they’ll meet at a coffee house.

“Meetings last about 2 hours, with one hour devoted to the book and the other for chatting and deciding what to read next.” Favorites over the years: Unbroken, Cutting for Stone, The Help, and Infidel. Right now they are reading The Swan Thieves (I’ve heard great things about this new book). Connie says that book selection can be difficult because their members are such avid readers and have already read many of the “book club” type titles. Oh, to have such problems! They are not openly looking for new members but of all the groups interviewed this one might be willing to expand. A true Rhode Islander, Connie says that she has “…occasionally felt that it would be much easier to have a group the meets closer to me, especially when I have to drive several miles on those cold winter nights. The meetings have always been worth it in the end… always interesting.”

Literary Cougars

On to the “Literary Cougars!” This fun-loving book club has been together about 12 years and I had the pleasure of joining them a couple of weeks ago as they discussed Susan Jane Gilman’s Undress Me in the Temple of Heaven. The meeting was slated to be on a member’s boat but due to weather we were forced inside and had a lovely meal at a local restaurant. We sat at a round table and the conversation both about the book and other topics and didn’t take a breath. This group clearly treasures its time together and Monica A. who responded for her group as well as Nancy S. who echoed many of Monica’s answers shares this sentiment. This club is run by one person bringing three choices that all will vote on. At the dinner I attended all three choices looked so great I was impressed that they were able to narrow it down to one. Of course I wrote down all three titles! Barbara L. and Nancy S. keep meticulous notes on everything this group has read. This is one well-read group and members often come to meetings armed with lots of research on topics mentioned in the book or on a particular place that they’d like to learn more about. These women have a great time as well as take the book discussion very seriously. Some favorites have been: The Girl in Hyacinth Blue, Fortune’s Rocks, The Reader, Bel Canto and The Great Gatsby. Nancy adds that it’s the great chemistry between these women as well as the fabulous titles selected that keeps everyone attending month after month.

Reprising her book club role, Barbara L. does double duty in a couples group who have been reading together for about 3 years. All of the women were already in other book clubs and Barbara shares “…honestly, I think the men were a little jealous…” They meet every two months or so alternating locations which all include cooking. The women are all great cooks and this is as essential to the evening as the books they are discussion. One memorable discussion centered on the book Unbroken that is a survival story that takes place during WW11. The question that got the group going was “If you were stranded on a life raft for 60 days, who is the one person you’d want on the raft?” She says the discussion went from funny to philosophical all over delightful dinner and shots of Patron!

Susan C.’s book club has been together for about 14 years and is made up 9 diverse women. Over the years, she says, they have become more like sisters. At their 10th anniversary celebration Susan made a picture book that included members over the years and a poem which concludes with : “10 years… we have become sisters of the heart, bound by books.”

How to join

If you are interested in being in a book club, check your local library as most do have book clubs that are open to the public. If you’d rather build your own start with one friend and before soon you’ll have a group. Tip –authors are thrilled that you’ve chosen their title from the tons that are out there. if they live close by often you can invite them to join in. if this is not the case they will often skype in or do a phoner. This adds an interesting element to the discussion as both reader and author benefit. You can often reach an author most easily on their Web sites or Facebook author pages.

If you’re in a book club I’d love to hear from you! Send me an email and tell me a little bit about your club. A set of current books will be awarded to one book club!Reading enthusiast and all around "book-pusher" Robin Kall can be heard live Saturday mornings from 7-8am on Reading With Robin WHJJ 920AM. This week, J.Courtney Sullivan will be Robin’s guest .They’ll be chatting about Sullivan’s New York Times bestselling novel, Maine... Also streaming live at www.920whjj.com. Follow on Twitter @robinkall, and Facebook - Reading With Robin.

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