I have an eternal, burning desire to read anything, except most science fiction. I was interested in joining a bookclub, but you’d think Cleveland was Compton – people on the East side hate to travel west, and vice versa. Since there wasn’t an appealling book club on the West side, I started my own. That’s my way. If I can’t find what I want, I create it. The goal of the book club is that every participant gets a chance to choose a book, no matter the genre, of his or her liking. In turn, we each read the monthly selections even if we don’t love the book, author, genre, etc. Most of the time, we find that we are pleasantly surprised by the wonder of a novel that we wouldn’t have dared choose on our own. Book readers, to me, have four classifications. First, there is the necessity reader. Necessity readers don’t read anything not given as an assignment. Sure, they do their homework (and maybe their kids homework), but it wouldn’t occur to them to enter a bookstore or library just to browse because they won’t read anything they find anyway. Second, there is the light reader. Light readers feel obligated to keep up with current events, so they may read local newspapers. Light readers may also read the articles in entertainment or fashion magazines. beyond this. The light reader will profess a love of reading, but will not ever be seen reading a novel for the sheer enjoyment of it. He or she might buy Oprah’s cookbook, or browse a book with Donald Trump on the cover, though. Third, there is the avid reader. Avid readers usually like several kinds of novels, are usually book club members, and often recommend and borrow texts from other readers. Avid readers take their latest paperback finds everywhere. They can be seen reading poolside, at a doctor’s appoint, or in a bathroom stall at work if the book is good enough. Finally, there is me – the hard core reader. I will read anything. Anytime. Anywhere. I also possess the qualifications of the avid reader, but an avid reader might put down a book he or she finds dull or offensive. Hard core readers finish what they start. Always. Sometimes we get angry, sad, or underwhelmed so we take a hiatus for one or two days, but we come back. We think we’re going to miss something that would’ve ultimately changed our minds. I don’t prefer sci-fi but I will read it upon recommendation, and no matter how incredulous and outlandish the tales, I can’t turn my back on a text once I’ve read page one. I might remind you that my undergraduate and graduate degrees are in English and communications, so I’m sure that helps. or maybe I chose those majors because I’m a hard core reader. Who knows? Who cares? What I do know is that if you enjoy reading at all, join a book club. Since the inception of my book club 18 months ago, I have read such a diverse collection of books. I can’t tell you how satisfying it is. To be honest, my nose is usually a little turned up when people give a brief synopsis of their choice. I finish everything I start, though, and 90 percent of the time it is worth it. I started the club with an open mind, and I invited others who I believed could do the same. There are other kinds of book clubs out there, though. Some clubs only read fiction by African American authors, or biographies (snooze), or romance (yuck), or mysteries (I’m a fan). Find something you love, then join it and read. My preference is classic literature like Beowulf, Jane Eyre, or Shakespeare (big surprise, no one in my group ever chooses those). I read books written in 2007 for them, they read books first published in the 1800s for me. We all win. Sort of. Seriously. Join a book club. Today.
29 May 2008 @2138
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