The Central Readers of York, PA, consisting of a group of teachers, have been together as a book club for seven years. These women have grown so close that new jobs at other schools and even retirement have not stopped their monthly meetings. The club's spokesperson, Barbara Wilkes, shares the secrets of their success, which includes establishing a routine and sticking to it, as well as keeping an open mind.

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

A: We're the Central Readers, and we've been together for about 7 years.

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

A: Officially, we have about 15 women over 45.

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

A: We meet once a month at a diner.

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

A: The food ranges from coffee, to dessert, to sandwiches --- I usually have a sandwich.

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

A: Marilee is the discussion prompter, and we will use a guide if there's one available to aid the discussion.

Q: What kind of books do you read?

A: Always paperback and usually fiction.

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: A new book is chosen at random at the meeting for the next meeting. It could be a title that someone has read or just hears good things about.

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

A: The Secret Life of Bees and East of Eden

Q: How do you keep things fun?

A: With this group, that is not hard.

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

A: Be open to the suggestions of the group and establish a routine.

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

A: Just that a very close bond has formed between the members.

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

A: We originated as a group of teachers at Central York, and although some have retired or moved on to teach elsewhere, they have stayed with the group.

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