My Bookclub journey

 

 

I watched the movie Bookclub a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The movie follows the lives of four women who have been meeting for forty years as book club members, bonding over the books they read and becoming friends.

When they read Fifty Shades of Grey, they begin to view their lives from different perspectives.

Well, this is not a review of the movie but about my foray into the world of book clubs.

A friend recently started a book club but has slightly tweaked its format. I was quite reluctant to join at first because I don’t consider myself a serious reader, and I'm trying to read more. I declined the invitation but, on second thought decided to dive in, and I wasn’t disappointed.

The tweaked version of the book club saw us not reading and discussing a single chosen book but instead following a topic or theme.

This time, each member told a tale from Aesop’s Fables together with the moral, after which a short discussion on the moral ensued. The group, comprising mainly of the older generation, was happy to welcome two youngsters into the group.

I enjoyed the no-pressure environment where there was no need to impress others or show off our knowledge of literature. It was a relaxing hour or so where you just let your thoughts and words flow.

I’m already looking forward to future meetings where certain themes and topics will be the subject of discussion. Our next topic is Greek mythology.

I list below a few benefits of hosting a book club or being a member of one.

Discover new books

When you join a book club, you discover new books, new genres and new authors. This helps you broaden your horizons and step out of your reading comfort zone.

 

Sharpens Intellect

Reading and then analysing plots, characters, themes, and morals challenges and sharpens your brainpower.

 

Builds Accountability

Finding time to read in the hurly burly of your daily routine may be a difficult proposition. When you join a bookclub, you are accountable.

 

Networking

A book club can help you find new friends, expand your network of connections, hold meaningful conversations, and meet like-minded people.

 

Improve communication skills

Attending a bookclub meet hones your communication and listening skills. You’re listening and communicating in a safe, nonjudgmental space.

 

Mental well–being

Reading enhances your mental being. It’s a great stress buster, and there’s nothing like curling up with a good book when the chips are down.

 

I’ve come to realise that reading is not only about finishing books, but also about joining a book club and reaping the benefits.

 

Image - AI generated

What did you want to be when growing up?

As a  child, I didn't' really have any dreams and aspirations about what I wanted to be when I grew up. Childhood consisted mainly making full vasool of playtime and devoting some time to lessons and text books after being hollered at by the parents. I was hopeless at both Science and Mathematics. There was no way that I would grow up to be a doctor or engineer or have a career related to any of those subjects. My parents were both voracious readers and instilled in me a love for books. 

 A Basketful of Surprises by Enid Blyton gifted to me by dad, is a book I can clearly remember reading. There was no turning back as I turned into a voracious reader, reading various genres  from detective to romance, skipping horror and science fiction.   Somewhere along the way, in my late teens I began dreaming of becoming a journalist. Somehow I saw it as a very glamorous and exciting job. The long hours that I would have to put in, did not register. I wrote letters to editors,short articles and poems few of which have been published. I continued to write even after marriage and write to this day. 

  However I did not study journalism except for  a short writing course that I did post marriage. As fate would have it, I followed in my mother's footsteps and trained to be a teacher. Kids are my favourite people and teaching too gave me immense joy and satisfaction. However my teaching career spanned just six years. 

I continue to hone my writing skills.  

This post is part of the BlogchatterBloghop link. 

A Need to Read.

Something that I miss dreadfully from my spinsterhood days is curling up with a good book. Recently a classmate from the school WhatsApp group suggested that the group talk books. Out tumbled the names of books, authors, 'have - read', 'must - read' and presently reading. Many have continued to be voracious readers like while others like yours truly were rediscovering the joys of reading.
My first tangible memory of this very pleasurable hobby was the book 'A basketful of surprises by Enid Blyton that dad brought home for me. There was no turning back.I was hooked. My parents both book lovers supported my passion for reading.  As a child, Enid Blyton was a hot favourite. I gradually moved on to the adventures of the Hardy boys and Nancy Drew.Richmal Crompton's William saw me chuckling away to glory  There was this book shack that dad dropped me off where for many years I kept alive my passion for reading. Together with Enid Blyton and Nancy Drew, the lives and times of Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead and the rest of the gang, Little Lotta, Dot, The Flintstones kept me entertained.Comics is not 'serious reading' but they sure are a part of growing up. 

   Dad was averse to Mills and Boon, so during that phase of my life, I played a lot of hide and seek with dad.

Yes, I have sunk my teeth into all genres(except for science fiction) reading by day and late into the night.Reading was a pure delight. Then I tied the knot, the boys were born in quick succession and life was never the same again. Raising my kids and keeping house left me with very little time to indulge in my favourite past time. Over the years I did join a local library and introduced the boys to the world of books while trying to pick up from where I had left off. Thanks to a friend, I began reading Maeve Binchy. Jason, my older son turned out to be a bookworm,   but for the past few years, the soon to be 21 has not looked at a novel. "I am into text books," ma he quips.
Here I am, scouring the e- tailers for good bargains. I've taken a fancy to Ruskin Bond- I need his quiet humour in my chaotic life.