Bound by Books
IT WAS more than coincidence that the first book club to start our new column is called B’Reisheet - Hebrew for Genesis.
This was a serendipitous meeting for Finda’s inaugural article about Toowoomba’s many book groups and how to start your own.
We hope to hear from all of the Darling Downs' book clubs to learn who you are, how your club was formed and what you are reading.
- In the beginning...
- Bind your own book club
- The Who, What, Where, Why and How Guide
- Review: Out of the Black Shadows by Stephen Lungu
- Share your thoughts
In the beginning of the B'Reisheet book club, there was Carolyn Eldridge, who has a passion for Israel and Christian literature.
She gathered a group of like-minded women – all but one has traveled the routes of the disciples– who now meet monthly to discuss a topical book.
“When I came back from my trip to Israel, I wanted to start a new book club and the only pre-requisite for this group was to love books and Israel,” she said.
“The name, B’Reisheet, came to me when I received an email about the book of Genesis that used the Hebrew name and I thought, ‘That’s it!’”
The group grew through word of mouth and a desire to be with others who had the same beliefs and experiences.
“Carolyn was so enthused about Israel and her experiences, that it has become my passion even though I haven’t been there yet," Lyn Grady said.
While the group is strict about what they read, the conversation is casual.
“We respond to a book and talk about that, but do not analyse it too much. We are more into how it affected us personally, not the grammar and syntax,” Helen Gordon said.
“Half the evening is spent talking about the book, the other is just sharing our lives with one another.
“Sometimes, w
e have to remind ourselves to get back to talking about the book.
“But I wouldn’t want to be part of a group that is too analytical.”
All of the members agree that their love of books is binding, but the glue is most definitely made from friendship.
When our children remember us in years to come, it' is no doubt that the ever-present book club will be mentioned in their rave.
Book clubs are as popular today as the toga party of the sixties, fondue party of the seventies, and a Hawaiian luau in the eighties, though much more subdued.
The monthly meetings offer stimulation, friendship and the perfect excuse for a midweek wine, or to leave the dishes to the remaining household member.
Being part of a book club is making a contract to find the suggested book, read it, and discuss it.
In the course of these three steps, the member makes time to browse a bookshop, sit quietly with a book in hand, and then explode with all of the thoughts that occurred while reading.
To create your own group, Finda has put together a guide as the prologue to your new reading circle.
Leanne Grundon from Mary Ryan Bookstore advises groups to be brave when choosing books, allow time for ordering and enjoy the process.
"My advice to bookclubs would be to not take yourself to seriously, go along to enjoy the company and the fact that it really does broaden your horizons on a literary level," she said.
"By reading other members' recommendations, you really do get to step outside your own boundaries.
"I know there have been many occasions where I have dreaded the thought of reading a book selected - and often they will end up being on my all time favourites list.
"My second suggestion would be to make sure you give your bookstore plenty of time to order in enough copies and confirmation of quantities, especially with older titles."
The Who, What, Where, Why and How to Make a Successful Book Club
Who: The optimum number of members lies between eight and 12. This caters for those odd months where only a few people are able to attend.
If a small group of people decide to start a club, suggest each person invite a friend.
Not every group has an open door policy, though. Once the group is established, check with other members about inviting another person.
What: Which book to read is the mystery factor every month. Most members agree that reading someone else’s choice extends their sphere of influence measurably.
However, if you want to stick to a theme, make that clear from the beginning.
Where: Meeting at restaurants takes the pressure off busy people to quickly clean and prepare supper, but a home visit in a member’s lounge room is more personal.
Why: The connection to the group comes with time. Sharing feelings about a book inevitably reveals personal information and that becomes the link between members. Why a person continues to read and reveal every month is simple: shared history.
How: Some degree of formality is never wasted. Nominate a member to send reminder emails to keep everyone in the loop. Those monthly meetings will be much more productive. The "secretary" may take notes for posterity.
Also, the host or person who nominated the book may want to provide background notes and prompt discussion.
Out of th
e Black Shadows by Stephen Lungu
This month, B'Reisheet read the autobiography of Stephen Lungu.
It was one of the few books they all agreed was wonderful.
The author details his transformation from an abandoned boy in a Rhodesian market, to gang leader, and eventually, to evangelist.
“The moment that struck me most was on the night after he decided not to fire-bomb the Christian tent meeting, he woke up and noticed his life had changed,” Carolyn said.
“He could now see the beauty in the world, all around him, even though he still lived under a bridge and slept in a dirt hole.”
Michele Harris had a more personal relationship with the book.
Having grown up in South Africa, she was familiar with many of the places and the inequality described by Lungu.
“The book reminded me of towns I had lived in or visited and I remember the injustice,” she said.
All members were moved by the author’s decision to find and look after his parents, despite the past.
Finda would love to hear from your book club.
Send us a photo of your group and a book review to share with Toowoomba.
