The book clubs that I have been privileged to be part of have been socially pleasing, intellectual, diverse and interesting. I was thus somewhat aghast to read Joanne Kaufman's article in the New York Times on December 7 "Fought Over Any Good Books Lately?" in which she describes some rivalries, spats, infighting, powerplays, and just plain dirty politics of belonging to a book group. Am I just in the dark or have other book clubs participants encountered the same?

After citing some examples of the bad vibes, the article goes on to say,
"Yes, it’s a nice, high-minded idea to join a book group, a way to make friends and read books that might otherwise sit untouched. But what happens when you wind up hating all the literary selections — or the other members? Breaking up isn’t so hard to do when it means freedom from inane critical commentary, political maneuvering, hurt feelings, bad chick lit and even worse chardonnay."

With the huge number of book clubs in today's world meeting both in person and online, hopefully you can find a a group that will fit your style of reading and your style of group interaction. If for whatever reason you cannot find a compatible group, there are bookgroup leaders that can be hired to troubleshoot the situation. These hired guns put a stop to the long-winded members and keep the group on task by cutting back on gossip and non-book related chat. Is that like going back to school? Pay money, listen to teacher, stop daydreaming and above all, don't fall asleep.

And if you read this article, you may be asking about the snacks. Well, that too can become a competitive event at these occasions. One "bookgrouper" interviewed for the article says that even a tea time book meeting became a war of clotted cream and bigger and fancier teas. Fortunately, most book groups are not like the book groups mentioned in this article. The ones I know are very civilized, democratic and thus far, things have not devolved into an insult hurling fracas.

So if you would like to join a book club despite this article, there are many in the Nashua area and also online. For online book clubs you may wish to take a look at Book-Clubs-Resource.com which gives information about both general and special interest online groups. It also contains a wealth of information about starting and running book clubs. For an "in-person" book club, word-of-mouth is always a good source or you may wish to take a look at Readers Circle where you can select Search to find a reading group in your locale. In addition, our library can help you find multiple copies of books for your club. Call or email the Reference Office (589-4614, Reference Desk). You may also take a look at READS-TO-GO, a group that provides access to book discussion kits for use by libraries and the communities they serve.)

A terrific novel I just completed about book clubs is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows, a story of World War II's effect on the British Jersey islands as told through the correspondence of some "incidental" book club members. Some other selections you may enjoy are:

The Jane Austen book club by Karen Joy Fowler.

They did it with love: a novel by Kate Morgenroth.

Bronte's book club by Kristiana Gregory. (for young adults)

The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society by Beth Pattillo.

Angry housewives eating bon bons by Lorna Landvik.

And for information about implementing a book group:
The reading group handbook: everything you need to know, from choosing members to leading discussions by Rachel W. Jacobsohn.

The Book group book: a thoughtful guide to forming and enjoying a stimulating book discussion group edited by Ellen Slezak.

The RIF guide to encouraging young reader : a fun-filled sourcebook of over 200 favorite reading activities of kids and parents from across the country, plus an annotated list of books and resources by Reading is Fundamental; edited by Ruth Graves.

READS-TO-GO [kit]: [bookclub kit for truth & beauty: a friendship]. (NPL sponsored READS-TO-GO kit).

So an Oprah fan or not, go out (or online) and join a book club if you have not as yet.