Brandon Twp.-Like to read? Want to talk about books and make new friends?
There is a book club waiting for you at the library, 304 South St.
Royann Hassinger and Susie Lewicki, both township residents, are original members of the Brandon Bibliophiles, now known simply as the ‘Book Club.? The group was started about 18 years ago and members have come and gone, but they are hoping to add a few to their core of five.
‘The population keeps changing and we are always looking for new people for the book club,? said Hassinger. ‘We try to do a one-year schedule of books and compiled a book list a couple months ago, but we may change titles if we add new members and they suggest other titles.?
The club selects books from a variety of genres, and the list always includes at least one mystery, one biography, and one classic. Previous books include ‘The Good Earth,? by Pearl S. Buck, ‘East of Eden,? by John Steinbeck, and ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn? by Mark Twain. The club does not usually read current bestsellers as they depend on availability from the library, but do read books that have been out at least a year. They avoid simple romance novels.
Hassinger enjoys book club because she reads books she would otherwise not read.
‘It gets me out of my comfort zone and makes me look for other books,? she said. ‘I like the discussion and almost everybody can somehow relate to the book. You find out a lot about yourself when you read books that have a good discussion. Another thing that I like is someone will make a comment that you never thought about and it makes you rethink things.?
The group meets at 9:30 a.m. the third Tuesday of each month at the library, 304 South St. They next meet April 21 and will discuss ‘Mudbound? by Hillary Jordan. Next month’s book is ‘When the Emperor was Divine,? by Julie Otsuka.
The library is open to hosting book clubs for other timeframes, such as a book club that meets in the evening or on weekends. To express an interest in joining or starting a book club at the library, or to join the Tuesday morning book club, call 248-627-1460.