Karen Johnson is a member of The Readers Journey Network of Atlantic County in Mays Landing, NJ. In this interview she explains her group's perspective on book clubs as a community-enriching experience, mentions some of their favorite authors, and describes their diverse reading habits. She also discusses how they keep their meetings varied by swapping recipes, attending readings, throwing tea parties and going on trips.

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

A: The name of our book club is The Readers Journey Network of Atlantic County. Each month, we have a different theme for the novels we choose to read --- romance, art, politics, books into movies, poetry, etc.

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

A: There are 15 women whose ages range from 25 to 55 years of age.

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

A: Meetings occur once per month, with a break in July and August to accommodate personal vacations.

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

A: Yes, we enjoy good food at our meetings. The host usually prepares the meal, or each member brings a dish or dessert. Sometimes we go to a restaurant.

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

A: The member host leads the discussion. We frequently use reading group guides.

Q: What kind of books do you read?

A: We read bestsellers, African-American literature, mysteries, poetry, romance novels, and books that become movies.

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 member host usually selects the book from one she has read or researched through sources.

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

A: Some of the group's favorite authors are E. Lynn Harris, Eric Jerome Dickey, Bernice L. McFadden, and Kimberla Lawson Roby. Some of our best discussions have occurred after reading a book by one of these authors, then attending their book tour engagements. Members of our book club have met everyone mentioned above except Kimberla Lawson Roby. We have photos taken with these authors, too.

Q: How do you keep things fun?

A: We have fun attending author tour engagements and sharing recipes. Some members are writers and have attended literary retreats. We also enjoy tea parties and "be good to yourself" days for pampering, massages, facials, etc.

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

A: Don't let your reading group get boring. Keep coming up with new ways to enjoy the group. Be creative. Let everyone share their ideas and input. No one person should try to control the group. Leverage everyone's talents!! Include men at meetings or events for diversity. Also, branch out. We have partnered with our local Borders Bookstore and we invite authors to come in quarterly for author discussions/book signings. We have hosted the following authors:

Kristin Hunter Lattany - Kinfolks and Guests in the Promised Land, which was nominated for a National Book Award; The Landlord, which became a motion picture; and a bestselling young adult novel, The Soul Brothers & Sister Lou.

Toby Thompkins - The Real Lives of Strong Black Women

Gail Ramsey - Tick Tock

Mark Anthony - Lady's Night and Dogism

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

A: Reading groups/book clubs add a lot of value to the diversity of your community and friendships. It's important that you allow others to participate and avoid allowing one person to control the group. Go out and do other activities that coincide with the book you are reading, or take trips to museums, galleries, musicals, plays, etc.

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