Sharon Scanlan
For centuries, book clubs have been a social gathering to discuss books of many genres. Some clubs have serious literary or nonfiction discussions, and many read popular authors. All clubs discuss books that the members think will be interesting and generate a stimulating discussion.
Seven years ago, we started a SaddleBrooke Book Club List for any book club that would like to participate. It was created because patrons would stop in the libraries and ask the volunteers, “What’s a good book to read?” Usually, when we are asked, we draw a mental blank! The list is intended to give all library patrons ideas about books to read. We now have 25 SaddleBrooke book clubs participating in the quarterly list.
It includes the book title and author. The SaddleBrooke One and the DesertView Libraries have a Book Club sticker on the spine of the books that we have in our collections. The list is available in the libraries or by requesting an e-copy on the library website. The list also provides our buyers with titles of new books they might consider buying or very popular books that have been chosen by many book clubs, which may require more copies. A current example is The Women, by Kristin Hannah, which is the most popular book in our libraries this year! There are 10 copies in the two libraries! Book club members do not get priority over other patrons, but it is a good idea to reserve the book online or when you stop in one of the libraries.
Our volunteers often get requests about contacts for book clubs they could join, often from new residents. Most book clubs in SaddleBrooke are unit book clubs, so contact your unit representative. Book clubs usually have a member limit due to space. Some are specific to groups with a common interest. We don’t provide contacts for book clubs, but there are several excellent clubs that are open to new members. The Wednesday Morning Book Club meets in the Saguaro Room at the MountainView clubhouse every second week at 10 a.m. The contact is Carol Conway at [email protected]. WOOO (Women On Our Own) has a wonderful club, Books and Breakfast, which meets monthly at the Brooke. You must be a member of their group. The contact is Brenda McBride at [email protected]. Senior Village has started two great clubs, Page Turners and Novel Ideas. You don’t need to be a Senior Village member to join. The contact for Page Turners is [email protected]. The contact for Novel Ideas is [email protected].
Do you and some friends want to start a club? There are many good references online to help you get started.
If you would like to include your book club selections on our quarterly list, email it to [email protected]. We would love to have your club participate! The list is shared with all book club contacts quarterly.
The Friends of SaddleBrooke Libraries (FSL) provides the funding to purchase new books, DVDs, and audiobooks for the SaddleBrooke Community Libraries. If you are not a member of FSL, learn more at their website sbfsl.org.