Book Club Dos and Don'ts

Dos and don’ts for book club? Rules for book club? Really?

Well, I use the term “rules” loosely. But still, there has to be some understanding among members, right? You need a little structure. After all, someone has to bring the chocolate, and someone has to bring the wine. Munchies? Of course.

You’ve probably seen beverage napkins that joke about the wine and conversation being more important than reading a book, right? Oh, wait. Was that a joke?

In my book club, we actually do try to read a book every month. And often, it’s a book outside of my comfort zone – outside of my typical genre and possibly written by someone I’ve never even heard of. Our little group is made up of friends of friends, an eclectic assortment of women from different backgrounds, careers, socio-economic levels, life stages, etc. We take turns choosing a book that appeals to us personally. And that makes it interesting.

My favorite type of book is slice-of-life fiction. But some members prefer non-fiction. Some like mysteries, or classics, or historical fiction. Because we have diverse interests, I’ve read books I never would’ve picked up, books that never would’ve piqued my interest if left to my own devices. The funny thing is, I’ve liked many of them. Sure, there’ve been a few dogs. I admit, on more than one occasion I simply couldn’t slog through the book. Ahem, another glass of wine, please.

But overall, I love that we each enjoy different types of books, and that we all give them a try. That’s one of the rules. It makes us stretch. I’ve learned a thing or two. I don’t often read non-fiction, but I found myself completely absorbed in “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.” I had no idea that nearly all cancer research can be traced back to the cells of this one woman. One month we read “Silence” by Shusaku Endo, a book about the persecution of Christians in Japan during the early 1600s. Say what? Yep. Pass the chocolate, please.

Another rule? If you choose the book (which also involves some background, discussion questions and research on the author), then someone else hosts book club at their house. That spreads the work around. Of course, that brings me to yet another rule – no dusting required. We come. We chat. We eat and drink. We don’t mind a little dust. The important thing is, we’re talking books. And having fun.

Cheers to friends, books, wine and chocolate. Happy reading!

So Sad about Summer

Labor Day weekend. It’s generally accepted as the end of summer, even though the calendar officially says Sept. 21st.

The pools close, the boats are put away, cabins are closed, kids go back to school, and I get a little depressed. Because I know what’s coming. Some people look forward to the cool breezes and crisp air of autumn. Some of that is okay. It’s nice that the humidity subsides. But the real problem is that I know what’s coming after that. Fall is usually a short blip around here. And then Old Man Winter settles in for a long and tedious visit.

Winters can – and often do – last six months around here. Ugh.

I think I’ll say that again. Ugh. It gets cold and dark. It snows. We get ice storms. Did I mention the cold? I guess for me, winter just makes things more difficult: Keeping track of coats and scarves and gloves. Cleaning up after snow, the mud, the salt, the drips. It’s harder to see at night. Driving is more dangerous. People withdraw into their houses.

For six long months I wait for spring, for warmer temperatures and longer days – when a day really lasts all day, not just until 5 p.m.  People seem happier in the summer. Blue skies and sunny days have a way of cheering things up. The neighbors are out, patios are used, flowers color the landscape. There’s a sense of having more time. Summers don’t seem to slow down for us. There’s too much to do. But it’s easier to do those things. So much more pleasant to be able to step outside without coats and all the winter accessories. I so much prefer to be greeted by warm sunshine than arctic wind. As winter looms before me, I just hope I’ve soaked up enough sunshine to get me through the days ahead.

Sigh. It’s Labor Day weekend. Bye-bye, summer. You’ll be missed.