Julie Rand of Jefferson, Maine talks about her book club, whose members get together at a lake house in Maine. They are very close and often stay late after their formal discussions have ended in order to relax and socialize with one another. Read on to learn more about this fun-loving, intelligent group of women.

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

A: We are thinking of calling ourselves "Word Watchers" or "Lake Literati" (the second word being facetious) as we meet as much for social enjoyment as we do for personal enlightenment. We have been meeting for 16 months.

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

A: Our basic core is four women, ages 37-69 (we tell all). In the summer our group doubles with three more women from CA and one from VA, extending our age range from 38-81. For August, we have selected a book whose discussion would be particularly enhanced by a male point of view (we think). At this meeting our total membership will be about 12.

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

A: We meet once a month at the home of one of our members who lives on beautiful Damariscotta Lake in the small town of Jefferson, Maine. It is such a pleasure to meet in the midst of such harmonious yet stimulating surroundings that we seldom change our meeting place. In good weather, we often meet out-of-doors.

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

A: We usually meet on Saturday mornings and have coffee and occasionally coffee cake. On our one-year anniversary, we celebrated with champagne, strawberries and purple attire!! Occasionally, if we meet nearer noon, we have a light lunch and everyone brings something. We will need a bit more nutritional sustenance when the meeting includes males, so everyone will share something. In the coming year, we also hope to arrange an outing to one of Maine's Islands.

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

A: We seldom have a discussion leader because all members are eager to participate equally, and we are extremely intent on listening to each other. (A visitor disclosed that information to us). Although as individuals we have strong opinions, we enthusiastically support the right of others to their opinions and have grown intellectually and emotionally because of the insight and wisdom of other members. We do use reading guides when we can find them but do not limit our selections only to books with guides.

Q: What kind of books do you read?

A: We make an effort to read a variety of genres: fiction that portrays different parts of the world, mysteries, travel, biography, science, political science, Maine authors, etc.

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: Together, we select our books about four months ahead. The person who has recommended the book usually searches for background material on the author, several reviews and guides. This material is offered ahead of time and is presented at the beginning of the meeting.

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

A: Some of our favorite books are The Lovely Bones, Life of Pi, The Secret Life of Bees, The Elegant Gathering of White Snows, Dude, Where's My Country, The Lexus and the Olive Tree, Purple Hibiscus, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and Past Due.

Q: How do you keep things fun?

A: And we do!! We do not have to work at it probably because we have been good friends for quite some time and we highly respect each other. We only meet for 90 minutes, but many of us stay on and talk for another hour or so. Since we enjoy being together, the thought of reading and sharing ideas adds the impetus to continue throughout the year. We do plan on two meetings with a larger and more varied group, and from time to time we would like to create seasonal activities that relate to the books we are reading.

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

A: Definitely read a variety of genres and choose ahead of time so that each member can find a book either in the library or perhaps on sale. Also, occasionally invite others outside of the basic group.

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

A: Nothing on the horror side; actually we think that we are quite ordinary, not dull or unimaginative, but especially fun-loving with easy and laughable conversation throughout the meeting. We have tried twice to encourage an author whose book we are reading to entertain the idea of either coming directly to our meeting or offering a phone (e-mail) discussion time opportunity with us. No luck. Perhaps others have ideas for us in this endeavor.

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

A: Since we do meet on a lake, our members sometimes arrive via kayak or other water transportation. We are also geographically diverse coming from Maine to California (duo-coastal) with ages ranging from 37-81. In addition, our backgrounds are quite diverse, we have lived in Europe, Africa, and now various US states. Actually, most of us have chosen to retire (early or late in life) in Maine. Jefferson, Maine is rural and quite isolated, however we have chosen this way of life and find enriching value and experience in this choice.

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