BOOKBUGS 2009
When SI The Fylde launched it’s first book club in September 2007, our publicity said, “It’s not about: homework & deadlines, competition or heavy literary criticism. We hope to socialise, swap ideas, discuss, inspire, have fun”.
Now Bookbugs is over two years old and we have done just that.
With 13 members, we have fulfilled our first intention of widening our reading habits and our second objective of having time to socialise as Soroptimists.
We meet in each other’s homes and borrow sets of books from the library. Contrary to the idea that you may have to read all sorts of things you don’t want to, members have been enthusiastic that their eyes are opened to other authors and styles of writing. The discussion often provides a new perspective from our initial ideas. Meetings are led by different members and no two are the same. We mark each book out of 10 and make suggestions about what to read next, sometimes two or three months ahead. Sometimes, someone may not read a book, or start it and not complete it; some read the book in one sitting; some people read it more than once! All of us agree that Bookbugs has enhanced our enjoyment of both our reading and what we have read.
It’s not all about books, although the common ground we have found has made a very enjoyable off-shoot of SI The Fylde.
Our annual outing was to The Sparlings in Lytham, where we enjoyed a sumptuous meal whilst discussing our latest read (see Frances and Marjorie in deep discussion below). We hope to include local librarian, Jackie Hunt at one of our meetings as she runs other book clubs and it will be interesting to compare notes. We have also been asked to write book reviews for the local ‘Lytham List’ and been invited to contribute to the 130th anniversary celebrations of Lytham Library. During the usual club August break, we sometimes take time out with a “literary picnic” - whether this mirrors some of the great picnics described in fiction remains to be seen!!
