The thing about book clubs

By Ellen Schuette

I, an English major and voracious reader of almost anything in print, have a confession to make: I don't like book clubs. I'm not sure why. I wish book clubs well; I admire what they are doing to bring literature to life in the homes and offices of America. I simply can't seem to make myself attend one.

Oh, I've tried. I visited a couple in the past where I was there "on approval." It seemed that the primary requirement was that I be able to balance a teacup with aplomb while expounding upon the latest bestseller. (Too much pressure; I didn't join). I was even the designated secretary for the one in our neighborhood, responsible for getting e-mails out to members, helping choose the book, browbeating a neighbor into holding the event and so forth. All intentions were good; the members were lovely. The problem was, when I showed up, I would rather have been anywhere else.

Maybe I'm opinionated, bossy and/or antisocial. Odd, seeing as how I'm perfectly thrilled to be with this same group of friends for a monthly bunco game. When it came to the book club format, however, I simply couldn't sit still through the polite exchange of ideas or the way we all attempted to answer questions like, "How did Lulu's demise help advance the plot?" And, "Did Roscoe really sleep with his sister or was that a metaphor?" I couldn't contribute anything without worrying: Did I say that correctly? Can they tell I didn't read the book? What if I say all I liked were the sex scenes, will I be ostracized?

It was all I could do not to run screaming back to my house and the safety of my own little reading nook (i.e. my bed before falling asleep at night).

That's why I like this Reading Moms idea. I can pass along my thoughts about books and share titles that have meant a lot to me (or conversely, books I've despised) and perhaps fellow readers will agree/react or perhaps they won't. I know I will learn from being part of this blog. But I won't have to dress up or dress down to join; I can sip tea OR chug a beer while typing my thoughts, if I so desire, and no one will ever know; and the part about reading that I most love -- that it feeds my soul -- will remain essentially private.

Now THIS is my idea of a book club!

Ellen is a 50-year-old mother of two, stepmother of two, who lives in North Carolina with her family.

Comments

[Cynthia W.]

I hear you, but I want both, myself. I can't find anyone to start a mother-daughter book club with in my little corner of Los Angeles, although I know the women must be out there!

[rachel]

oh, I totally agree!

I read a wonderful book this past year about a book club (sorry memory problems, I can't remember the title), and that was the kind I wanted to join, but none are actually like that!

Can't wait to trade book ideas with you!

[elswhere]

I hate book clubs too! And I even run them! I'm a school librarian, and the middle school kids (well, one middle school kid) BEGGED for a book club. So I run one. And they seem to like it okay. But the only one I've really enjoyed was an online one, where I could participate at my own pace and say whatever I wanted!

[Nancy Martin]

Ellen, I am sooooo with you! My favorite book club experience was the one where we went out for big, carbo breakfasts together and drank mimosas!

My own publisher has asked me to put together some "book club questions" to go at the back of my next paperback. I want to ask, "Did you like the sex??" "Do you feel like slapping the sister???" And of course: "What's your recipe for the meal that best seduces your husband?"