Book Discussion Group Worth The Risk

by

Kate Carroll, Reference Assistant

            Have you ever considered joining a Book Discussion Group? Does the thought of it entice and terrify you equally? Certainly those were my thoughts and emotions before attending one for the first time. I wondered, “Who will be there? Will the others in the group be superior in wit and intelligence? Will they find my comments trite, inane and hopelessly stupid?”

            I am so glad I overcame my initial trepidation, bit the bullet and went. I found my fears were unjustified and my hopes for stimulating discussion were answered more fully than I had dreamed.        

            Over the course of the three years that I attended (not always faithfully) we discussed such books as Snow Falling On Cedars, The Poisonwood Bible,

The Persian Pickle Club, To Kill a Mockingbird, Snow in August, Blindness, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Whereabouts of Eneas McNulty, The Grass Harp and Ladder of Years.  Many of these books I probably would not have read had it not been for the discussion group. It caused me to widen out, stretch my imagination and expand my horizons.

            As for the fear of appearing ignorant – I never heard an ignorant remark at the group. I soon discovered the beauty of group discussions. Each member has a unique slant on the work discussed:  grandmother or young and single, schoolteacher or police officer; Irish, Italian, Southerner, Northerner—with such diverse backgrounds how could it be otherwise? Each brings his or her life experience so our discussions can be lively and funny!

            Diversity of background brings diversity of opinions. On one memorable occasion a dignified woman pounded the table and exclaimed, “How dare he write this book?” I was stunned! I had found the book absorbing. What did she mean? That night’s discussion found us equally divided. “Loved it!” “Hated it!” But we probed, analyzed and dissected and all went away enriched by the experience.

            As with any group, there are those that have a lot to say while others are more reticent. It is often the quiet ones that have the more pithy remarks. Each individual’s contributions are considered, valued, pondered and enjoyed. Many comments remain with me yet. After reading a short story by Willa Cather entitled “Neighbor Rosicky” a group member named Elaine commented, “I find it like eating potato chips, I keep wanting more.”

            After the discussion spontaneous comments pop up. “Have you read…?” So now I depart not only with next month’s offering but also a half dozen other books to add to my “to read” list.

            So if it enters your mind to attend a book discussion group, go!  Just go! You will be richer for the experience. 

            At the West Warwick Public Library you have an opportunity to participate. The group meets the last Wednesday of every month at 7p.m. in the Nash Room.  The book the group has chosen for January is Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson and for February we’re reading Barbara Ehrenreich’s Nickel and Dimed: On Not Getting by in America. You can get a peak preview of the group by accessing the West Warwick Library website at www.wwlibrary.org and clicking on Members for a picture of the group. 

            Hope to see you there!