Gerriann Ronsen is a Department Manager at Barnes & Noble in Amherst, NY. Together with her friend and colleague of 18 years, the store hosts book clubs that cover a variety of genres and age groups. In this interview, Gerriann talks about the formation of the store’s reading program 11 years ago and how it has grown and evolved since then. She also explains the importance of word of mouth in making a book club successful.

Q: Does your store host any book clubs? If so, are they based on a certain theme or genre? How often do the groups meet?

A: Fay Eckman and myself have hosted our Historical Fiction group at Barnes & Noble in Amherst, NY for over eight years. Fay started the book group 11 years ago when we opened the store. We both have been with B&N for 18 years. Our love of reading drew us to this job and our 18-year friendship. Our store has two to three children's book groups, which include beginning readers and chapter books. Fay also mentors a mystery group along with the kids’ groups. We both love historical fiction books and found 10 ladies who enjoy the same genre.

Q: How many members are in each group? How many men, how many women? What ages are most members? Are the groups open to accepting new members?

A: We have around 10 avid book lovers. Men are welcomed to participate, but we tend to read stories about women in history, and most men seem to be bored with this genre. I feel if we had one male book lover who came every month, we might attract more men. Most of the authors we read are women, who we tend to gravitate to.

Q: Who leads the book discussions? Are reading group discussions guides used?

A: Fay and I always start off by asking, "Who liked the book and who did not?” We have a lively discussion over this first question. When someone dislikes the book, our discussions can become heated and intense. I always want specifics to define why a book did not measure up to our critical standards. We try to use the guides in the back of the book, or I go online to find great questions that keep our talks going. I also find historical information to relate to the time period or to any historical figures around that time. The group always gets a packet of nonfiction materials to take home to read. Tonight we are talking about Sarah's Key, and I found online facts that support the story set in Paris. I found a link to the French internment camp, which will provide a great discussion. If I can find any photos relating to the time period or location, that makes the evening a success.

Q: How are books selected? Is a new chosen at each meeting, or are they chosen for a number of meetings ahead of time?

A: We choose three to four months ahead of time because of our B&N calendar requirements. We are always reading new historical fiction novels and keeping the titles in our database. When the book goes to paperback, then we use them. If anyone in the group has a great suggestion, we will always use it. Sometimes, we bring many books to the group and let them choose. We try to cover different time periods and places. Our group has gone from reading about the modern Japanese Royal family in The Commoner to the rags-to-riches story of The Tea Rose.

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

A: We love the rags-to-riches stories as in The Tea Rose and the follow-up book, The Winter Rose. We also love to learn about the nonfiction of a period we are reading. Sarah's Key will be one discussion where we will learn a lot about the French and the German occupation.

Q: How are book club meetings kept interesting and fun?

A: Sometimes we get out of the store and take a field trip. When we read Lucia, Lucia, we met at an Italian bakery to devour pastries while we read about this Italian family; I made tea when we read The Commoner. I try to bring some food or drink to the meeting. I like to find fun things to do, like having a picnic at our Shakespeare in the Park this summer.

Q: What advice would you give to other bookstores that would like to start hosting book clubs or provide resources for ones in the community?

A: Start with your interests, and then you will be passionate about the books you select. Most clubs get their memberships by word of mouth. If one person comes and enjoys the discussion, they will bring their friends. Find other information to relate to the book. That always provides in-depth discussions. I have found everyone wants to learn more about a subject. Our group loves getting informational packets to take home. Food and drink always bring festive cheer. We read The Twentieth Wife, and I brought all kinds of tea to try.

Q: How can book clubs better utilize resources at their local bookstore?

A: I always keep our monthly selection as a staff recommendation. Many customers can't attend our meetings but love to read what we have chosen. I work with our CRM to find historical fiction authors who will attend our meeting. Having the author there brings new insights to their book. Many years ago, we had the pleasure of having Lauren Belfer at the store to discuss her wonderful novel City of Light, a story about the heyday of Buffalo, New York. Most bookstores can get authors in; sometimes we change our meeting time to work with the author’s schedule.

I always look at the advance copies, but very few are historical fiction. I use our book loan system to keep abreast of new titles. My next book will be the new Anita Diamant book. Fay always keeps a section in the store with her top favorites, and the customers love that as well as our group. This book club has been a team effort for such a long time, a labor of love. As long as we find great novels, we will always have a following. If I had time, I would attend other book clubs. Fay and I try to attend author visits to Buffalo. The best was Geraldine Brooks’s lecture at Buffalo State College. We read People of the Book and listened in amazement about her love of this project.

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