ReadingGroupGuides.com

Palo Alto, California

ReadingGroupGuides.com interviews special reading groups around the world, spotlighting a different group each month. We hope that you enjoy reading about their experiences and might find some new ideas to try with your group. If you belong to a group that you think should be spotlighted, click here to send.

This month's interview is with the Teatime Readers of Palo Alto, California. This group of women have been meeting for seven years, and have discovered that shared values are in important part of their ability to get along so well. Many thanks to Louise Gluckman for sharing her group with us.

Q. Does your group have a name and/or a theme? How long has your group been in existence?
A. The name of our group is TEATIME READERS. We have met monthly throughout the year for seven years.

Q. How many members do you have?
A. We have 21 women on our list; however, generally twelve to fifteen attend meetings.

Q. Do you eat at your meetings? What do you eat? Who brings the food?
A. Yes, we eat cookies, cakes, fruit with tea and coffee supplied by the hostess.

Q. Who leads the discussion? Do you use reading group guides?
A. I do, Louise Gluckman. What really helps me lead this group is 21 years of teaching experience.

Q. What kind of books do you read? How do you choose your books? Do you choose one new book at each meeting, or do you choose the books for a number of meetings ahead of time?
A. We read fiction, non-fiction, and some classics. The members suggest books and I make choices from this list by reading reviews to determine whether the women in the group would read and relate to the choice.

Q. What were some of the best discussions or favorite books the group read?
A. I really can't say we have any favorites because each book has something to offer otherwise we wouldn't have read it.Recently, Amy and Isabelle provided a lively discussion. I do remember that Poisonwood Bible was popular.

Q. How do you keep things fun? What advice would you give to other reading groups?
A. We keep things fun just by being together each month and by not taking the books or ourselves to seriously. Set the rules whatever they are and stick to them. Don't let any one member monopolize the discussion. Try to draw out members who seem to be too shy to contribute. Accept everyone's comments but discourage comments that are negative without being precise. Ask for an example or further clarification.

Q. Is there anything else unique or noteworthy about your group that you would like to share?
A. We are a part of Sequoia Chapter of Hadassah and all share similar values. I think that is why we like each other and get along so well.

ReadingGroupGuides.com interviews special reading groups around the world, spotlighting a different group each month. We hope that you enjoy reading about their experiences and might find some new ideas to try with your group. If you belong to a group that you think should be spotlighted, click here to send.