Book Club Experience

I had a unique experience with this assignment: the book club I observed was not in direct observation, but rather, as I listened in from the other room as the group of women was meeting in the living and dining rooms in my house. I also was able to obtain an exclusive interview with the leader and founder of the club.........pause for dramatic effect..........who also happens to be my wife, Rachel.

My wife's book club, which they all refer to as simply "Book Club", has celebrated their 5th anniversary this very week, in fact. They currently have 10 members, two of which are new in the last two months. Initially starting as a group of 6, they have had 15 dedicated members over the last five years with several that are no longer active due to moving away to a different part of the country. They currently cap their active member number at 12 because "no one has a house big enough to really host more than that" and since they meet once a month, it allows each of them to pick one book a year. Their meetings usually start at 7pm and go until 8:30-9pm depending on how in depth they get in their discussions. 

The types of books they read greatly varies: WWII non-fiction, teen fantasy, romance, Pulitzer prize winners, memoirs, Dan Brown, and the recent trend being books about other cultures and countries. They rotate who hosts each meeting, and the person who hosts is also the one who picked the book for that month. They used to use other methods for choosing hosts and books, such as pulling out of a hat, or discussing and voting, but they found that not everyone got to pick a book regularly and that pairing the book choice with whoever was hosting was a more fair and simple way to decide. 

Snacks are a must at every meeting, usually at least one dessert and "copious amounts of wine". As a fun bit of trivia in celebrating their 5 year anniversary, they estimated they have consumed over 200 bottles since the start of the club. 

They have one other important rule, which explains my unique position in observation for this assignment: No Boys Allowed. Granted, if the hosting member is married, they don't mind if the spouse is in another room keeping to himself, hence why I was "In my bedroom, making no noise, and pretending I don't exist" (my wife thought that was hilarious when I quoted her favorite book as I went to the other room when her club started to arrive). Rachel had even made a formal appeal to this one rule at the previous meeting when I asked if I could be in active observation for this assignment, and it was quickly overruled and my banishment was sealed. I was, however, allowed access to the snacks that were brought, so when I came out to gather a plate full, I dragged my feet to gather as much intel as I could about one of their live meetings. 

There were a few bits of information I was able to gather, which hopefully shouldn't get me in any trouble for obtaining! There didn't seem to be one person who was leading the discussion. Later confirmed by Rachel, the person who chose the book generally starts the discussion. However, being a chatty group of friends, the conversations do get off track easily and my wife said she is usually the one who has to direct the conversation back to the book. Over the course of the night I did hear one or two voices that seemed like they had more to say than others, but Rachel did say that everyone does participate, just some more than others. 

Having been with my wife for almost 4 years now, I know how important this book club is to her and how much meaning and joy it has brought to her life. It was a very fascinating experience to finally be a part of one this year, even if it was indirectly, because she has always talked about it, but never hosted a meeting where I was around. Since seeing this successful and thriving book club first hand, it has inspired me to start my own guy's book club with a best friend of mine and Rachel's cousin, who has also become a friend over the last few years. Our first meeting is actually scheduled for next Sunday and we have been reading "Ready Player One" the last couple weeks. Aside from the discussion, I plan on getting some nice beer and watching the movie that was made a few years ago, and add a comparison between movie and book to the discussion to be had afterword. I am excited for it and hopefully this will turn into something as fulfilling and meaningful as the book club my wife started 5 years ago!