The Value of Book Clubs

This week's post is brought to us by Katie M. As you may know, she has taken over coordinating the daytime book group for Shallowford Ward, so she has a valuable opinion on this subject! Read on for her fun thoughts and ideas! And consider coming to one of the book clubs if you aren't already! Thanks, Katie!

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If you asked my husband if I like to read, he would probably roll his eyes and tell you about the time that I stayed up all night to finish one of those "vampire books" (Twilight series). I wouldn't wish to excite you (or disappoint you, depending on your feelings toward Twilight) by commenting on whether or not that particular account is true. What I would like you to know is that I LOVE to read.

Like many of us, I read independently regardless of what the Shallowford Ward Book Club is doing. However, I happen to feel strongly that meeting together often to discuss fine works of literature is edifying to our intellect and, just as importantly, to ours souls. Some of us get caught up in the "fine literature" phrase and might argue that most of the books we read in Book Club do not qualify as great writing. But here is what is really significant about Book Club: regardless of the book, this amazing group of sisters can find a way to make any book club discussion interesting and instructive. There may be differences in opinions, and most certainly we will have someone who really liked the book and someone who hated it, but that is why it is so fun! I love hearing from our reviewers to know more about the author and to find out more about the historical background. I love hearing others' thoughts and ideas about why a character acted in such a way or what their favorites parts were. We all interpret the books differently, and that just adds to the excitement of the discussion. I find it fascinating to know that someone else would actually have chosen Jacob for Bella over Edward!

The point is, many of us love to read, but we are afraid or skeptical of the Book Club experience. What I have discovered at Book Club is something akin to what Diane Lovey describes in her fun guide "The Book Club Companion":

"Our clubs may not always be the stuff of dreams, but the characters we meet seem to become the ones we cherish the most. Maybe it's because we are all in this together and it's a busy, portentous road we're all on. Being in a club makes the experience of reading deeper, more magical, and when you really stop to think about it - positively inspirational."

Give Book Club a chance. We'd love to have you join us. November 9th is the next meeting of the daytime book club. Suzie Connell is reviewing a fabulous book - one you DON"T want to miss! The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Hope to see you there!

P.S. Susannah mentioned that I could also dedicate some blog space to book recommendations, but if you want to know what many of the sisters in the ward are reading (me included) - join Goodreads. It is the best place to get a recommendation on what to read; I always check out my sister-in-laws' suggestions as well as friends from around the country.