Patricia Shinaberger is a member of the No Rules Book Club from Bradford, PA. In this interview, Patricia explains how this group, ranging from 15-40 members, first began meeting nine years ago and describes how they've found their discussion leaders' free reign over their monthly meetings to be the most productive for them. She also shares an amusing anecdote about their discussion of The Da Vinci Code and reveals the one rule they may consider instituting in the future.

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

A: We are the No Rules Book Club. We have no officers, no dues, no locked-in-stone meeting date or time, no specific book type, no phone tree.

We have been in existence since May 6, 1998...jeez, that's nine years. The club started when a couple of friends had read a great book --- Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood --- and wanted to discuss it with other readers. A group of about six met at the Bradford Area Public Library and had such a great time that we decided to do it again...and again.

At every meeting, someone volunteers to lead a discussion of a book they have read or want to read. We set a date and time for the discussion. One person keeps a list of members and their email addresses and sends out meeting notices, and about two days before the meeting, a reminder. The discussion leader has the freedom to use any meeting format he/she wants: question & answer, favorite passages, research on the author, his/her backlist, readers' reactions. The discussion leader also decides where we will meet and sometimes brings treats.

The format works, as everyone reads something that that they might not have chosen themselves. No one person feels that they have to do all the work. The only one who gets stressed is the discussion leader, but the rest of the members are so supportive that even those who are very hesitant to speak in front of a group feel comfortable.

There has been some discussions about one possible rule: we will never meet in the nude. The rule is, at this point, unwritten...

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

A: We have about 40 names on the email list, but usual attendance is about 15.

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

A: Approximately every six weeks, or whenever the discussion leader chooses. Most of the time, we meet at the Bradford Area Public Library Carnegie Room. But we also have met in restaurants, in parks, and at a member's home.

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

A: At our meetings in the library, we usually have tea and sometimes scones. Food is not required, but not discouraged. Our library meetings are usually at 10:30 on Saturday mornings. Most members have errands in town on Saturday, so this is a good time to meet.

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

A: As noted above, we take turns volunteering to lead discussions. We have been using guides lately, and they are a big help for our busy members.

Q: What kind of books do you read?

A: We started out reading books about strong women, but now we respect what the volunteer leader brings to the group, and we have never been disappointed.

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: As noted above, someone volunteers a book and offers to lead the discussion. We presently have a queue of books and leaders for the next several meetings, but the dates are not firm at this point yet.

Q: How do you keep things fun?

A: Choose a variety of books, take a road trip once in a while, and enjoy the differences of opinion that the various members bring to the table.

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

A: Keep it flexible and fun. Be sure to include local authors once in a while.

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

A: At the peak of the hype of The Da Vinci Code, word got out into the community that our book club was discussing it, and about 100 people showed up. Our usual meeting room holds 20 people. Fortunately, the big room in our library was available for that hour, and we were able to move in to it. None of the non-club members participated in any of the discussion. Our leader kept the focus on the characters, the hunt for clues and the car chase. After the meeting, the non-members filed out and were never seen again.

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

A: We are a group of busy professionals who love to read, share what they read, and who love the club format.

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