The Desert Book Rats
This interview is with Jill Buckley from "The Desert Book Rats" based in Palm Desert, California. Read on to learn more about this group, including the efficient way its members purchase their books each month (an idea all book clubs should consider adopting).
Q: Does your group have a name and/or a theme? How long has your group been in existence?
A: We call ourselves "The Desert Book Rats." We've been in existence for about 2 1/2 years.
Q: How many members do you have? What age are most of your members? How many men, how many women?
A: 12 members, all women between the ages of 30 and 50.
Q: How often do you meet? Where do you meet?
A: Once a month at a member's house.
Q: Do you eat at your meetings? What do you eat? Who brings the food?
A: Yes, we do. It is totally up to the host --- usually light dinner items and occasionally we go out to eat.
Q: Who leads the discussion? Do you use reading group guides?
A: We use guides when we can; your site has been a lifesaver! Otherwise, we go around and voice our opinions and let others comment.
Q: What kind of books do you read?
A: We read all kinds of books!
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: The host for that month picks the book. Our goal has been to keep two months ahead and let the host purchase all the books and hand out at the meeting prior to hers. Some books are tough to find, and this helps all get the book in time to read.
Q: What were some of the best discussions or favorite books the group read?
A: Some of our best discussions aren't of books that are our favorites; in fact most of them are not our favorites, such asThe Lady Who Liked Clean Rest Rooms,Shoes of Giants andA Confederacy of Dunces. As far as favorites, I am not sure we have ever all loved the same book; as books are all different, so are we.
Q: How do you keep things fun?
A: The host is totally in charge, so she may plan to meet at a restaurant or coffee shop. If one of our books has been made into a movie, we usually meet and go see it --- although so far the book has been much superior to the movie.
Q: What advice would you give to other reading groups?
A: We read "A Guide to Reading Groups" before we started. We haven't totally stuck to it, but have adapted from there. Setup is the most important. You want people that have different views but who get along. You don't want people who will monopolize the conversations or cut in. This we must all watch; you feel the need to get your comment in! Our group has 12 members and 6-8 attend each month; this seems to be a great number for us! I am sure we have a bunch more advice, too!
Q: Do you have any horror stories, amusing anecdotes, or other special tales to tell?
A: Well, we have disturbed many people in movie theatres, closed restaurants, and have bugged the same people over and over looking for the same books. The hardest thing is finding the book we picked --- that would be our biggest horror story! So now the host locates and purchases the books for us.
Q: Is there anything else unique or noteworthy about your group that you would like to share?
A: I had been trying to get into a book club in my area, but all were full! So at Bunco one night I mentioned my desire to be in a book club, and I was amazed at how many were interested. We are all religions, races, ages and backgrounds and bring our different cultures and opinions to share. Through the years some have gone, joined us, and returned to our group! Our few dinner meetings out in the community are always cherished!
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