Before I started working in libraries, I never really had an appreciation for book clubs. To me, reading something as a group felt too much like schoolwork, full of boring books I did not want to read. Then we had to discuss them, analyze the author’s style, write synoptic essays, and it took all the fun out of the reading experience.
Then I started hosting one of Timberland’s PageTurners Book Clubs. Most of the books we read during that first six months were pre-selected by the previous group leader and decidedly did not fall into the category of “Books That Interest Me." In fact, I most were titles I'd have typically avoided. But then something happened, and I began to realize that even if I didn’t like the books, I could still appreciate them and the chance to talk about them with other folks.
There are several things we say all the time in the PageTurners meetings:
- Life is too short to read books you do not want to read.
- You do not have to read or finish the book to attend the book club.
- Even if you do not enjoy the book, you may still leave with appreciation for it after discussing it with the group.
Book clubs are a wonderful way to connect with your community, discuss difficult topics through another lens, or to try to understand a perspective that is not your own. Reading books that we normally would not pick up allows us to stretch our minds and grow as humans.
Have you tried reading a graphic novel memoir? How about a book written in verse? Or an audiobook that uses American Sign Language? When was the last time you read a book that was written with a different audience in mind?
With those questions in mind, check out the books below that have sparked great conversation among our group. Interested in stretching yourself as a reader? Join the Tumwater PageTurners Book Club! We meet on the 2nd Thursday every month from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Find out what books we are reading next and explore even more book club options on our events calendar.
Check out these "Best Of" selections from the books discussed at the Tumwater PageTurners Book Club!
