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This New Jersey group keeps things running smoothly by remembering that the pleasure of one another's company is often the greatest pleasure of the reading group. Thanks to Sylvia Cicetti for speaking with us about her group, which is called Afternoon Book Group of Caldwell Branch of the American Association of University Women

Q. How did you get started? How long has your group been in existence?
A. The club was formed as one of the interest groups of AAUW. We have been around for 25 years.

Q. How many members do you have?
A. We have 19 members --- all women. They are between 40 and 70 years old.

Q. How often and where do you meet? Do you eat at your meetings?
A. We meet monthly at each other's homes. A light lunch is part of our meetings and it is prepared by hostess for that month's event. Fifteen years ago I joined the group after reading an announcement in the AAUW newsletter in the Interests area. It said that if members were interested they should bring a sandwich and meet at such and such a house. On the appointed day I showed up with my sandwich wrapped in foil. A few members asked "what is that?" When I told them it was my sandwich, they laughed and said that I would not need it. The refreshments were going to be really good.

As time went on each time we met the refreshments got more and more gourmet. Some of the recipes have been outstanding, including lemon cake, quiche, grilled vegetable sandwiches and a number of terrific dessert recipes that have made the rounds.

Q. Who leads the discussion? Do you use reading group guides?
A. In May we select our books for the coming year and members volunteer to act as a hostess or discussion leader for one of the future meetings. Recently members who are computer literate have used parts from guides during our discussions, especially as background on the author or the setting of the book

Q. What kind of books do you read? How do you choose your books?
A. We try to vary the selections, a cross-representation of the interests of the group, with special attention to achievements of women. At our May meeting members present any number of books that they have read or have heard outstanding reviews about giving as much background as possible. The group then votes to select the 8 books we will discuss for the year. We try to include a biography, possibly a history title, maybe a self help and this year included a classic. We try to keep the selections on a good literary level.

Q. What were some of the best discussions or favorite books the group read?
A. Our most recent was The Poisonwood Bible which gave us a discussion that went beyond our usual 3:00 or 3:30 adjournment. Another wonderful discussion came from Cold Mountain. The Hours was challenging. Memoirs of a Geisha, and I could go on and on. We seem to find good discussions in all the books, even when we differ in our interpretations.

Q. How do you keep things fun?
A. We vary the menu, we vary the books, we share personal experiences over refreshments. And we forgive those who have not read --- or finished --- the book for the other qualities that they bring to the meeting.

Although we are serious about our reading, we are not so serious that we do not accept everyone's opinion about every title. We can disagree vehemently on the interpretation of the book and then get up to get the other person a cup of tea two minutes later.

Q. Do you have any horror stories, amusing anecdotes, or other special tales to tell?
A. When one member changed her hostess date with another member, two women in the group didn't remember the change and showed up at the original hostess's home. When her husband answered the door his response to the women was, "My wife is not at home and I have no idea where she went today." The cell phone sure came in handy for them.

Q. Is there anything else unique or noteworthy about your group that you would like to share?
A. In the sharing of our thoughts on the books we have learned so much about each other as people and friends. We've developed a camaraderie that shows itself when one of the members has a personal need.

Q. What advice would you give to other reading groups?
A. Keep your group going and just enjoy reading.