Sometimes a book affects us so strongly that we can't wait to talk about it with another reader who feels the same way. Then there are the books we come to appreciate whose spines we'd never have cracked without the encouragement of others.
Readers throughout the province share their love of books and ideas in books clubs of all descriptions. Open Book: Ontario will profile these dynamic groups to get a sense of how they work, what they're reading and why they love being a part of the literary community in their city or town.
This group of colleagues from the Kingston Frontenac Public Library gets together each month over their lunch break to talk about what they've been reading lately. "Book Club" may be too narrow a term for them, though — they discuss graphic novels, movies, podcasts and everything in between.
Open Book:
Tell us about how and when your book club got started.
Kingston Book Club:
About eight years ago the librarian in charge of collections had the idea of bringing library staff together to talk about their own eclectic reading as a way of improving our ability to help our borrowers choose books.
OB:
How has your book club evolved over the years?
KBC:
Many of our original members are still attending, but of course as staff changes our membership changes. Over the last few years, we've added discussions about graphic novels, ebooks, podcasts and movies from books.
OB:
Describe an average meeting for us.
KBC:
We meet once a month during our lunch hour with between six and twelve people around the table. Sometimes one person goes on for a long time while the others just lurk and listen; at other times everyone contributes about the same amount.
OB:
How do you decide which books to read?
KBC:
It’s wide open. We discuss whatever each of us has been reading or listening to since we last met. Sometimes one person's enthusiasm inspires many of us to read the same book; the result is that the meeting focuses on that book.
OB:
What do you enjoy the most about belonging to your book club?
KBC:
Someone’s enthusiasm for her or his reading, getting to know the range and diversity of individual reading tastes and the openness of our discussions.
OB:
What would you say is one of your book club's unique characteristics?
KBC:
We all work in the library. There is no set book. We are willing to talk about other media.
OB:
What are some books you've read recently that have stood out for you?
KBC:
We discuss so many books at each meeting that it's rare for one book to stand out. Discussion of books about food, politics and concern for the environment seems to arise at many meetings, but our most lively discussions are often about novels.
OB:
What advice do you have for someone hoping to start up a book club?
KBC:
Don't limit the meeting to one book, avoid rules and have a good time.
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Would you like to see your book club profiled on Open Book: Ontario? Send your suggestions to Erin at erin@openbookontario.com.
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