Sharing a Good Book Opens Doors for Readers

Educators who encourage children to read every day often incorporate that same interest into their own lives. Some enjoy reading alone, while others want to be part of a group of women who share the love of reading and conversations about books. Alpha Delta Kappa members who belong to such groups shared the hows and whys of starting a book club. Paula Davis, WV Xi, began reading books with camping friends during the isolation of COVID-19. When the CONNECT link on the A∆K website was created, Paula joined the book club community. She contacted five sisters from different regions to meet via Zoom and The Pages and Pearls Book Club with 70 members was born.

Linda Warren, VA Alpha, shared her thoughts about her Escape Book Club, which began in 2008. Currently, the 12 members meet monthly with the host choosing the book and leading the discussion. Normally, they gather in the homes of members, enjoy a snack and social time and then, according to Linda, “actually discuss the book.” Each member is given a ballot and rates the book from one to five wine glasses, with five as the highest.

Pauline’s Picks Book Club was started by Pauline Frantz. Bridget Lang, MD Chi, said that having a book club was a passion for Pauline, and the Chi Sisters continue to honor her as they shine the light of excellence in their book choices. Chi invites other chapters to participate in joint meetings, and the chapter envisions making this a regional event.

VA Lambda created a World Understanding Book Club in 2016 after sisters heard about using clubs as a way to pursue one of the missions of A∆K. The club’s 12 members meet monthly during the school year.

Susan Taylor said they read fiction and non-fiction covering many cultural themes. “One sister will research questions about that month’s book to initiate the discussion. This format allows for lively and informative interactions and creates an atmosphere of sisterhood.” In the spring, each sister shares which book was her favorite.

Rebecca Beal, IL Alpha Nu’s president, explained that the chapter’s book club has a committee with a chairperson and is responsible for narrowing book choices to five or six including a synopsis of each. Gathering at a restaurant for dinner, the next month’s book is chosen and the title is posted on the chapter’s website.

Dianne Loonan, NY Alpha Zeta, shared that some of her chapter sisters were in other book clubs, but their chapter had never established one. “We discovered an author, Susan Mathis, who was raised in our area and currently resides in Colorado. Her historical fiction novels are set in the Thousand Islands area of New York.” The author suggested her book, “Katelyn’s Choice” for the group’s first read. Sisters met virtually with the author, discussed the book and got to know the author more intimately. Anne Hutchinson started the first In the Dallas/Fort Worth area book club in 1634 while on a ship of Texas, the ABC (Afternoon Book Club) is composed of retired edutraveling to the Massachusetts cators who love to read. TX Beta Omicron sister Lea Bailey said that Bay Colony. The ladies gathered the only criterion for joining is to to discuss books of sermons. enjoy reading “different kinds of books and to be tolerant of various viewpoints.” The member who suggests the book becomes the facilitator of the discussion. The club maintains a Facebook page giving members access to announcements, files and discussions. Books are planned for 6-12 months, but, if a popular title becomes available, adjustments to the list are made. The Weekly Readers Book Club was started in 2018 by three VA Alpha Lambda Sisters. While working on the chapter’s altruistic committee report, the sisters began to chat about books and agreed that they wanted to start a book club and invite all chapter sisters to the first meeting. Marycarolyn France summed up the book club when she said, “The Weekly Readers look forward to book club meetings, not only because they love books, but also because they love the people who read them.” “When I moved to Florida, I wanted a way to make friends in my neighborhood,” said Anne Brooks of FL Gamma Omicron. The afternoon book club, The Novel Bunch, has kept Anne reading for six years. Anne explained, “Belonging to a book club stretches a person. Generally, I would not select the books other members choose. I am rarely disappointed and usually gain world understanding or a better understanding of humankind, race, history, and geography.” Article by avid reader Betty Sherrod, VA Gamma Omicron and KAPPAN correspondent.