Sharing a Good Book Opens Doors for Readers
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ducators who encourage children to read every day often Dianne Loonan, NY Alpha Zeta, shared that some of her incorporate that same interest into their own lives. Some chapter sisters were in other book clubs, but their chapter had enjoy reading alone, while others want to be part of a never established one. “We discovered an author, Susan Mathis, group of women who share the love of reading and conversations who was raised in our area and currently resides in Colorado. about books. Alpha Delta Kappa members who belong to such Her historical fiction novels are set in the Thousand Islands groups shared the hows and whys of starting a book club. area of New York.” The author suggested her book, “Katelyn’s Paula Davis, WV Xi, began reading books with camping Choice” for the group’s first read. Sisters met virtually with the friends during the isolation of COVID-19. When the CONauthor, discussed the book and got to know the author more NECT link on the A∆K website intimately. was created, Paula joined the book In the Dallas/Fort Worth area Anne Hutchinson started the first club community. She contacted of Texas, the ABC (Afternoon Book five sisters from different regions to book club in 1634 while on a ship Club) is composed of retired edumeet via Zoom and The Pages and cators who love to read. TX Beta traveling to the Massachusetts Pearls Book Club with 70 members Omicron sister Lea Bailey said that was born. Bay Colony. The ladies gathered the only criterion for joining is to Linda Warren, VA Alpha, enjoy reading “different kinds of to discuss books of sermons. shared her thoughts about her books and to be tolerant of various Escape Book Club, which began in viewpoints.” The member who sug2008. Currently, the 12 members meet monthly with the host gests the book becomes the facilitator of the discussion. The club choosing the book and leading the discussion. Normally, they maintains a Facebook page giving members access to announcegather in the homes of members, enjoy a snack and social time ments, files and discussions. Books are planned for 6-12 months, and then, according to Linda, “actually discuss the book.” Each but, if a popular title becomes available, adjustments to the list member is given a ballot and rates the book from one to five wine are made. glasses, with five as the highest. The Weekly Readers Book Club was started in 2018 by three Pauline’s Picks Book Club was started by Pauline Frantz. VA Alpha Lambda Sisters. While working on the chapter’s altruBridget Lang, MD Chi, said that having a book club was a pasistic committee report, the sisters began to chat sion for Pauline, and the Chi Sisters continue to honor her as about books and agreed that they wanted to they shine the light of excellence in their book choices. Chi start a book club and invite all chapter sisters to invites other chapters to participate in joint meetings, and the the first meeting. Marycarolyn France summed chapter envisions making this a regional event. up the book club when she said, “The Weekly VA Lambda created a World Understanding Book Club in Readers look forward to book club meetings, not 2016 after sisters heard about using clubs as a way to pursue one only because they love books, but also because of the missions of A∆K. The club’s 12 members meet monthly they love the people who read them.” during the school year. “When I moved to Florida, I wanted a Susan Taylor said they read fiction and non-fiction covering way to make friends in my neighborhood,” many cultural themes. “One sister will research questions about said Anne Brooks of FL Gamma Omicron. that month’s book to initiate the discussion. This format allows The afternoon book club, The Novel Bunch, for lively and informative interactions and creates an atmosphere has kept Anne reading for six years. Anne of sisterhood.” In the spring, each sister shares which book was explained, “Belonging to a book club stretches her favorite. a person. Generally, I would not select the Rebecca Beal, IL Alpha Nu’s president, explained that the books other members choose. I am rarely dischapter’s book club has a committee with a chairperson and is appointed and usually gain world understandresponsible for narrowing book choices to five or six including or a better understanding of humankind, ing a synopsis of each. Gathering at a restaurant for dinner, race, history, and geography.” the next month’s book is chosen and the title is posted on the Article by avid reader Betty Sherrod, VA chapter’s website. Gamma Omicron and KAPPAN correspondent. K A P PA N • M A R C H 2 0 2 2
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