In this interview, Jo-Ann Johnson Scott explains what makes the Rockland County Book Club work so well. They come to their themed meetings prepared with notes on what they've read and discuss everything from politics to matters close to the heart, but try to steer clear of personal information. They also insist on keeping things light and ending on a happy note. Read on to learn more about this interesting group of women, diverse in both age and ethnic background.

Q: Does your group have a name and/or a theme? How long has your group been in existence?

A: The Rockland County Book Club --- we started about 1 1/2 years ago.

Q: How many members do you have? How many men, how many women? What age are most of your members?

A: We have approximately 15-20 members. When we were smaller, the men participated more often, but since our meetings are now 10-12 strong, they do not come. Most members range in age from 25-70.

Q: How often do you meet? Where do you meet?

A: We meet every other month, but read two books. We meet at a different member's home. However, to keep it moving, I am always willing and ready to host a book club meeting.

Q: Do you eat at your meetings? What do you eat? Who brings the food?

A: We bring a dish to each meeting unless the hosts say specifically not to. We usually try to bring a dish that is compatible to the books we read.

Q: Who leads the discussion? Do you use reading group guides?

A: I started the book club and I have been the leader of most discussions, but it is pretty much a free-flowing discussion. I always bring the reading group guide and information on the author.

Q: What kind of books do you read?

A: Everything! We started out with African American authors but have now included all authors of interest --- fiction, nonfiction, mystery, self-help, and have read many of the books on the Reading Group Guides website.

Q: 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: As the book club's originator, I choose one of the books and the hostess of the next meeting chooses a book.

Q: What were some of the best discussions or favorite books the group read?

A: When we read Douglass' Women, it stirred up a lively discussion about infidelity and commitment, and it also provoked a discussion about race and slavery. 

Hottentot Venus was very emotional for many of us women, and so the discussion was very intense. We, as women, felt a kindred spirit with the character in the book. 

Q: How do you keep things fun?

A: We usually try to bring something to the meetings that relate to the book we've read. For example, we read Carol's Daughter, so we had her products for display. We also ready The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency and made Bush Tea. We usually start our meetings with eating and chitchat about what we've done since our last visit. We also have had our book club meetings in a cookout setting, which was fun.

One special meeting was a formal sit-down luncheon served by one of our members. She had her good china, silverware, linen and crystal. It was such a pleasure to discuss our book and we all felt special.

Q: What advice would you give to other reading groups?

A: Keep it light...do not "insist" that everyone read the book in order to come to the meeting. My members feel comfortable coming and gaining an insight into books that they have not read as well. Not all members read both books, but usually they have read one. Because our meetings are 60 days apart, we all take notes and bring them to the meeting. Also, we do not allow personal information to be discussed. I as the leader find ways to deter the conversation from being personal.

You should always end the meetings with a good note. For example, when we read Sugar, we had several women discuss their fondest experiences of visiting/living down south. Also, we tried a networking/book club meeting, but it did not work well. The members were not receptive to being solicited by other members. All emails sent to members are solely sent with book club information and nothing else. 

Q: Do you have any horror stories, amusing anecdotes, or other special tales to tell?

A: Fortunately, we have had so much fun at our meetings, so there is nothing special to tell other than we all are committed to making the meetings and we all like reading. 

Q: Is there anything else unique or noteworthy about your group that you would like to share?

A: Yes, we have women from ages 25 to 70. This is a very large age group, which makes for interesting discussions. We started out with five members and today we are 20-25 strong. We are mostly African American and Hispanic women, but are open to all ethnic backgrounds.

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