At most book clubs, a different book is assigned each month. Members are expected to find a copy, read it, and come back to the club ready to discuss the book, the author, and their feelings.
“If I don’t like the book that’s assigned, I have difficulty getting through it,” admitted Edale Levene. Which is why she has now launched “a book club with a difference” at the Danube Seniors Leisure Centre.
Rather than assigning a specific book, members are asked to come to the monthly meetings ready to talk about a favourite book or author – something they have read recently, or have enjoyed in the past, and wish to recommend to others.
“Then other people can decide whether to read the books,” explained Levene.
It’s based on a book club that used to be held at the BWG Public Library, but was cancelled – and the concept attracted a dozen potential members to the first meeting of the new club on Monday, upstairs at the Danube Centre.
Levene kicked things off with her recommendation: the Inspector Ian Rutledge series of mysteries, by ‘Charles Todd,’ a mother-and-son-writing team in the U.S.
“They’re brilliant books,” said Levene. The protagonist, who returns to Scotland Yard following the trauma of World War I, is haunted – almost literally – by his past. “It’s a very intelligent series.”
Jan Evans strongly recommended the book ‘Infidel,’ by Ayaan Hirsi Ali – an autobiography, that tells the story of one woman’s escape from the clan system of Somalia, including an ‘honour killing’ ordered by her own father.
“It’s a harrowing read,” said Evans. “I found it to be a life-altering book.”
She picked up the volume at random in a thrift store in Montana, while searching for something to read on a flight home. Ali writes about topics that include female genital mutilation, arranged marriage and honour killings.
“I was horrified to read it, and glad that I did,” said Evans.
There was plenty of note-taking, and open discussion, as new members made their recommendations, including Just Mercy, a story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson (now a powerful movie), The Unexpected Son by Indian-American author Shobhan Bantwal; the Young Adult novel Charlie St. Cloud by Ben Sherwood.
Books ranged from non-fiction to fiction, to the unique scientific and ecological work of Diana Beresford-Kroeger, an author who combines traditional herbal knowledge with biochemistry, now living in Canada.
Katie Maloney recommended Beresford-Kroeger’s The Global Forest, which talks about the importance of forests in countering global climate change.
“Save the planet, save the forests,” said Maloney, noting that trees “talk” to each other through their root networks– and offer Mankind natural wisdom.
She strongly recommended Beresford-Kroeger’s work. “She’s interesting and easy to read, and Canadian!” Maloney said.
The talk went around the circle, sharing favourite books, movies, even stories about bumper apple crops last summer. In fact, there’s only one rule:
“No spoilers, please,” said Evans.
The club meets on the second Monday of each month. The next meeting of the ‘book club with a difference’ will take place Monday, Feb. 10 at the Danube Seniors Leisure Centre, 715 Simcoe Rd., starting at 1 p.m. All are welcome – just bring a book to recommend. First meeting is free; fee is then $1 per meeting.
