I like to blame it on the pandemic! Before it happened, I only belonged to two book clubs.
My long-standing book club, celebrating 25 years in 2023, has a book club retreat each March. Only we've missed it the last three years. So we are elated to head to a friend's cabin to laugh, to shop, to chat, to eat, to stay up too late, and of course, to choose our books for the upcoming year.
My second book club, started with two friends who had moved away. began as a way for us to stay connected. We sometimes choose the same books as my other book club, but we also read young adult, middle grade, and light and fluffy books. We don't always meet monthly. We pick a book and then text when one of us has finished it. That usually spurs me to action and I start reading. Then begins the back and forth texting to find a time when we can all be present.
During the pandemic, I joined two more book clubs (both of which do not meet monthly). One is connected to an online community and the other is a group of friends who read books of a spiritual nature.
The last book club I joined is a group of women in my new congregation where we moved last summer. I was excited to take some titles I wanted to read to a recent meeting. They chose to read The Snow Child, a book I've wanted to read that's been on my shelf for more than a few years. We'll discuss it this week. (I actually discovered a friend's name in the front of the book, so it's not even my book. When I return her book, I'll do it with a loaf of pumpkin chocolate chip bread and my sincere apologies for keeping it so long.)
Five book clubs IS too many, but I find it impossible to relinquish my hold and friendship and book love for any of them.
This is my twelfth year to write a slice of life each day during the month of March. Thank you Two Writing Teachers for creating this challenge and providing the space and support for us year after year. And thanks to this magnificent community for sharing stories with me and encouraging my writing life.
Well, if you’re going to have too much of a thing, why not book clubs?!
ReplyDeleteRamona, I hear you, girl. I absolutely love that you acknowledge the gems that these book clubs are to you. Through them, you are receiving connection, community, and so much nourishment. I am in a book club with my dearest friends and it has absolutely deepened our relationships ...immensely. Have the BEST time with your soul sisters at your March retreat, Ramona!
ReplyDeleteI love the retreat idea and hope you all have the best time after not being able to celebrate reading together for so long. I am in a neighborhood book club that meets every month with wine, dessert, decaf coffee and a little bit of book discussion. It one of the things on my calendar that I would never miss. Five clubs might be too many, but it would certainly give you a reason to read!
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I could do five! Whew! But I totally understand why it would be hard to stop any of them. Looking forward to seeing what titles you select when you meet this month.
ReplyDeleteI think it is JUST enough reading and talking and sharing for you. It is a bit too much for me, I think, but I would do so to be talking and sharing with friends. I LOVE THE IDEA OF A BOOK RETREAT. I think it would be the best of the best!
ReplyDeleteJust as one can never have too many books, one can never belong to too many book clubs, right? And w/ so many, how do you find time to bake?
ReplyDeleteYour book clubs sound fun, especially since they do not all meet monthly! I am so impressed that you have a group that you've met with for 25 years, and that you find such joy with all your groups.
ReplyDeleteRamona, how fun to be in book clubs. And I love your reasoning for not wanting to give any up: "I find it impossible to relinquish my hold and friendship and book love for any of them." Beautiful! It was great to see you this morning at the meet up!
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh when I saw your title! Of course 5 book clubs isn't too many?! I have been wanting to join a book club but haven't found one to join. Maybe I should start my own? I can see how it would be too difficult to relinquish a single one of them!
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