Show Us Your Book Club!

New Jersey Book Club

How did you get together? Our book club was formed six years ago when two of us met at the library, introduced ourselves and shared an interest in forming a book club. We put up flyers, posters and contacted other groups, and our book club was born with six original members. We now have 21 women.

Where do you usually meet? We meet at the local library once a month on Wednesday morning. We serve morning treats brought in by members.
 
Which Oprah's Book Club selections have you read together? Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi and East of Eden by John Steinbeck.

What are your all-time favorite selections? The following are some of the books we have read over the past six years: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, Manhunt by James Swanson, The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hossseni, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, The Color of Water by James McBride, Madame Bovary by Gustav Flabert, The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards, River of Doubt by Constance Millard, Life of Pi by Yanna Montel and My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult.

How do you decide what to read next? We all make suggestions as to which book we would like to read, and the person who suggested it moderates for that month. We try to chose two or three months ahead of time. 

Are you planning any special trips or events? Have you in the past? Six of us met Jodi Piccoult when she did a book signing at a local hotel. We had our pictures taken and really enjoyed her presentation at the luncheon. Many of us have met at the movies to see a movie that we read as a book, such as The Secret Life of Bees. One of our members is a published author, so we have had book signings at our library before our regular meeting. Sixteen of our members are writing a novel. Each member is assigned a chapter and, when finished, passes it on to the next member—we won't see the novel until it's finished. Should be exciting!