33 A novel way to enjoy books

Anne Bandoli, Adrianna Hyde, Myles Payne, Liz Todhunter and Robyn Packer enjoy meeting for books, wine, and nibbles in Mapua.

A novel way to enjoy books

Book clubs are not a new concept but one that is increasingly popular, especially when you add wine and cheese. Adrienne Matthews takes a look at a couple of Nelson's book clubs.

Book clubs are rarely just about reading books. They are social gatherings that bring people together from often diverse backgrounds, where life experiences are shared, ideas are challenged and where friendships are formed.

They aren’t even a 20th or 21st century thing. There are records of groups gathering in the time of Socrates 400BC to talk about writing. Fast forward to the luscious French salons of the 19th century where women, liberated from the throes of the Industrial Revolution gathered to improve their conversation, flaunt their finery and discuss their latest reads. The trend spread across the globe. By the end of the 19th century it is estimated there were over two million Americans in book clubs.

New Zealand’s first book clubs were the Worker’s Educational Association (WEA) study circles established in 1915. By 1926 sets of books were being transported around Canterbury and the West Coast and in 1973 the WEA’s Book Discussion Scheme (BDS) was formed to provide sets of books to groups around the country. It is thanks to American talk show host, Oprah Winfrey that book groups exploded in numbers across the globe in the 1990s. The launch of her own book club where she promoted “must reads” sent the world into reading hysteria, something that has never abated with book club culture firmly entrenched in most countries of the world.

There are many types of book clubs in New Zealand. The BDS scheme continues to grow with 50 affiliated groups in Nelson and 1300 nationwide. For a modest membership fee, each group is sent a set of the same books either monthly or bi-monthly along with a set of notes to aid with discussion. There are more than 1000 titles in their collection in a range of genres and styles. For some years, until the meeting time changed from night to day, I belonged to BDS group Nelson 009. Established 38 years ago it still has one original member. A few members have passed away and some have moved on, but a core of kind, thoughtful and interesting souls remain, some having been part of the group for over 20 years.

Marian Fraser has been a member for 26 years. “I have belonged to a book group for what feels like most of my life,” she says. “There is something in the satisfaction of having read a book and discussing it with others but it is much more than that. It is a way of connecting with people on a deeper level. When they are discussing a book they often speak from the heart. They say things they wouldn’t normally say. That’s because books act as a trigger. There are usually a wide range of attitudes and responses and that is what makes the conversation so interesting.” Like others I spoke to, Marian belongs to more than one book club. The other one is quite different. “I joined a local street book club after I found a note in my letterbox telling me about it,” she explains. “We don’t always read the same book and don’t belong to any scheme but we have themes for the month. This month’s is ‘Biography’. It was thanks to this book club that I was introduced to the Pulitzer prizewinning author Elizabeth Strout. Her work is heart-breaking, human, astute and generous. I can’t imagine having met such an outstanding writer any other way.” Jacquie Walters belongs to a very 21st century tech-style book club. Two European summers ago she travelled to Wales to meet up with former classmates from the United World College of the Atlantic. Several decades later and now scattered the world over, they meet every six weeks or thereabouts to discuss the latest chosen book on Zoom. “It is a challenge to meet across so many time zones,” says Jacquie. “There are more people in the northern hemisphere but we do

our best to fit in. Talking about books with people from many different countries, some for which English is not their first language and where they might be reading in translation, is an interesting way of talking about culture. It is a good way to recognise one’s own bias and try to understand from a different perspective. It is also a fun way to keep in touch.” Tour guide Anne Bandoli really enjoys the book club in Mapua she belongs to. It is a chance to get together on a regular basis, enjoy wine and nibbles and share reactions to a book they have all read. Not belonging to any scheme, each member takes it in turn to choose a title. Unlike many local book clubs that are made up of women, this one is mixed. “Although it is a social activity, we are pretty focused on the book,” says Anne. “I like belonging because it gets me to read more and I read books I would never normally choose. I am often surprised at how I can become interested in things that I had previously never thought I would be.” During last year’s lock down the group had Zoom meetings. “It was fun,” laughs Anne. “One member put up a background that was from the hotel of the book we were reading about.” At other times members have provided supper that has related in some way to the book of the month. Marion Fraser has been a member of BDS Nelson 009 for 26 years. Some book clubs focus on specific genres. Jenny Easton belongs to one of these. The main focus of this group are scientific books. “It has been hugely successful,” says Jenny. “At our meetings each of the ten members has a chance to talk about a book they have

I like belonging because it gets me to read more and I read books I would never normally choose. I am often surprised at how I can become interested in things that I had previously never thought I would be.

Anne Bandoli

Members of BDS Nelson 009, Trish Simpson, Elena Meredith, Jem Piper, Carol Mills, Annette Gill and Pat King.

read. There is wide diversity in our interests,” she explains. “They include animals, mathematics, climate, genetics and the brain amongst others. We write a two sentence summary about every book so other members can follow them up if they want to.” The structure of the group works particularly well. “No one dominates and you don’t have to be scholarly or able to critique a book with a great degree of skill. You just have to be able to share a subject you have found interesting. It is a great way for us to absorb information and learn about new things.” I miss Nelson009. I miss the camaraderie and the shared experiences, the time spent in other’s houses, the suppers and the annual dinner when we would make a list of the books to order for the new year. I miss the intersection of our lives, no less meaningful by being brief. If it hadn’t been for the book group, I would probably never have got to read three of my all-time favourite titles: The Forest Unseen, by George David Haskell, Half the Sky, by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn and The Housekeeper and the Professor, by Yoko Ogawa. Each one of them completely inspirational and a peek into worlds I had never before explored. That is the beauty of book clubs. You never quite know what magical path they will lead you down. It can be challenging and confronting, joyous and uplifting but, regardless of whether you like what you read, your mind will be exercised and your heart warmed.