Book Club: turning pages

Have you ever picked up a book and opened it to the first page, with the comforting smell of the pages wafting through the air, to discover another world?

You encounter a dimension where you face challenges and triumphs with the main character, sometimes wanting to stumble off course with the characters you have met along the way. Suddenly the story becomes real, and you become excited with all the possibilities that fill the pages.

As part of the Make It Better campaign, the Book Club helps people open new adventures and experiences with each book.

“Our meetings begin and end with books,” Staff Sgt. Catherine Quinlan, 4th Medical Support Squadron biomedical equipment non-commissioned officer in charge and Book Club point of contact. “That being said, we start out discussing our monthly Reading Challenge read, and then move on to what we are currently reading, what we are looking forward to reading and if an upcoming movie is going to destroy a favorite book’s plotline.”

Every third Wednesday at noon in the base library and each third Friday at 6:30 p.m. at the Eagles Nest, the Book Club meets with the Brown Bag Book Club to discuss their monthly reading selection.

“Our members get together and recommend books, argue good-naturedly about authors, and talk about authors we would like to meet,” Quinlan said. “I like the fact we all enjoy different genres; this club helps me break away from my typical authors. I have received so many wonderful book recommendations that I will never be lacking something to read; my To Be Read pile is even larger all due to this club.”

According to Quinlan, the MIB Book Club, consisting of more than 120 members, often collaborates with the base library’s more traditional book club, hosted by Kimberly Webb, 4th Force Support Squadron Supervisory Librarian.

Webb often selects a variety of book genres for the club to read, such as fiction, non-fiction, classic mystery or whatever is popular. However, members are always welcome to suggest the titles they find interesting. 

“We don't require everyone to have read the book, but it helps,” said Webb. “We have a huge collection of book club titles. Usually five to 10 copies of books and study guides are available, so if others want to start their own club, they can get the resources from the library.” 

To inspire more people to read, the Book Club has fashioned a reading challenge for each month. For the challenge, one must read a book pertaining to that month’s theme, such as a book you should have read in school (April), a book you previously abandoned (August) or a book that intimidates you (October).

The Book Club also coordinates events with authors around the community to host a variety events promoting reading. One of these, the Wayne County Reads event hosted by author and poet Joseph Bathanti, is scheduled for April 15 at the base library. During this event, organizers will host writing and resiliency classes at noon and a book talk on Poetry 180 at 6 p.m.