by Karen Shughart
I love to read, and part of the reason I wanted to become a writer was that from the time I was a small girl I was fascinated by the way authors used words to craft a story. Words can beckon and beguile us, and what amazes and inspires me is the how the same words can be strung together in infinite ways to communicate a multitude of ideas and opinions.
I read every day, for me, one of life’s pleasures. Mysteries are my favorite fiction genre, which is why I choose to write them; I also enjoy reading thrillers, historical fiction, classics, and contemporary literature. To expand the depth and breadth of my knowledge about the world, my non-fiction choices veer toward biographies, history and current socio-political themes. But there are many books I might not choose to read on my own, and that’s why I belong to a book club.
Shortly after we relocated to Sodus Point I met some women who also liked to read, and we started a club that lasted for several years. Then, life got in the way. Several retired and moved away; or, at the apex of their careers, were unable to attend because of work-related commitments. Sadly, despite our best intentions, we decided to disband.
I missed our monthly get-togethers. Then I received an eblast from our local library about a book club that was meeting monthly there, all were welcome to attend. I decided to give it a try. The fit was as good as could be, with everyone’s opinion accepted and respected. I’d found a home. We suspended the meetings for a couple years during Covid but resumed when we felt safe enough to do so.
We’re avid readers, but we’re not always attracted to the same types of books, which makes for pleasurable and spirited conversation. Our list contains bestsellers but also those that reflect our individual interests and preferences.
There are only two rules. As much as there’s a social component to our gatherings, attendees are required read the current month’s book; we also keep the discussion, as much as possible, to an hour. Those who are comfortable doing so take turns leading , providing biographical information about the author, and asking what we hope are stimulating and thought-provoking questions.
I didn’t know some of the women when I joined this group, now I count them as my friends. Our level of comfort with each other has grown, and at the end of the hour we sometimes repair to a local café to share food and wine and discuss a myriad of topics.
I am grateful that I had the opportunity to become a member of this book club. Reading a wide assortment of books has helped me hone my skills as a writer, and the intellectual stimulation, laughter, and camaraderie enriches my life in immeasurable ways.
