Today was book club and we discussed Seven Days in June by Tia Williams. I found the book club discussion interesting because everyone liked the book (by which I mean no one disliked it, though some liked it more than others). The interesting bit to me, I think, is that the discussion was dominated by maybe four or five people.
(No one will be surprised to know I was one of them, I’m sure.)
The reason I found it interesting is that it felt like because everyone liked it, no one had complaints so people weren’t talking as much. The characters were likable, the plot was pretty straightforward/complete, all of the loose ends were tied up, and it was very grounded in the now of how we kind of deal with problems. These are not complaints, obviously, since that means the book was well written, but that meant, I think, for some people there wasn’t that much to discuss.
In January, the book club discussed Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See, which was also very well written with complex characters, a straightforward/complete plot where all the loose ends were tied up. However, it’s set in ancient China, so the societal rules and norms are different, so there was a lot to talk about in terms of how the characters interacted and how the plot was resolved. Also, with all of the rampant sexism in the book. there was a lot to be angry about in terms of the experiences of the female characters, so it seemed like everyone who read the book had VERY strong opinions.
When I’m in that space, I try very much to turn off my teacher brain and approach to the discussions. The women in the book club are there to hear different perspectives for sure, but not necessarily to be coached in how to give those perspectives or to be forced to share. Because I’m sure you all know I want to be like, “How about someone we didn’t hear from? Maybe you, Jane? What did you think?”
It’s also interesting to see how the people who haven’t read react to the book and whether or not they want to pick it up based on the discussion. I thought Seven Days in June had a lot of humor and was a lot of fun, but because we discussed some of the issues the characters faced, it sounded maudlin and depressing so a few people said they didn’t want to read it. Because we talked about the world building and all of that in Lady Tan’s Circle of Women, that intrigued people enough for them to revisit the book.
I always find myself wondering if the best book club picks are those that garner the most discussion or those that may not garner as much because people liked the book. I’ve decided that it’s both for different reasons. Obviously, the more there is to talk about and debate, the more fun book club can be. At the same time, being introduced to a new author, story, or genre and finding that you enjoy it is a value add to your life.
Next month’s book club pick is Viola Davis’s memoir Finding Me. I’m only six chapters (two hours–I’m listening to the audiobook) in, and I already know that this one will give us a lot to discuss. Will I like it or not? I won’t be able to answer that question until I finish it. But I do know the book club discussion will be a lot of fun.
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It’s so hard to turn the English teacher off! I really try to restrain myself because yeah, nobody wants that in book club, but I absolutely couldn’t help myself a couple of meetings ago when everyone was criticizing the book (The House of Mist by Maria Louisa Bombal) and I said okay, but how does it change our interpretation if we assume she actually did know what she was doing as a writer and crafted it this way on purpose? And that spiraled into the most interesting discussion of the book, so I decided I was able right to play Peter Elbow’s believing game with book club. I think my favorite discussions are the ones where some people absolutely love the book and some people absolutely loathe the book.
Because I’m sure you all know I want to be like, “How about someone we didn’t hear from? Maybe you, Jane? What did you think?”
^^^
This line made me giggle so much, as a teacher who needs to remember to turn off her teacher voice IRL 🙂 I loved thinking about the push and pull of how we might engage with books we loved, digging into the beauty or the connections or the moments when we lost ourselves. I’m not in a book club right now, but your post makes me want to get re-engaged in one, to be in a community of readers, thinkers and talkers!
Viola Davis’ memoir is FANTASTIC and I took a lot from that book so I know you’ll enjoy it. I’m seriously thinking of writing to her and being like PLEASE COME TO OUR SCHOOL IF WE TEACH YOUR MEMOIR!!!
I *kind of want to be in a book club. LOL.
So, this Teacher brain thing — yeah, I totally get it. But I feel like maybe book clubs are sometimes about listening or being present for some people. They like to be in social company to listen and learn, but maybe they don’t have a lot they want to share.
I taught a workshop once for book club “leaders” or “facilitators” on creative strategies for book club engagement. They certainly liked a lot of the strategies, but I guess it’s hard to figure out what people really want in a book club. I haven’t been to many book clubs that weren’t “teacher” or “educator” or “student” book clubs. I guess I need to join one at some point.
Im in two book clubs, and I totally agree with your thinking and wondering. I laughed at your giving up those teacher tendencies. I once read that a good read is not necessarily a good book club book, because it might not lead to much discussion. Hopefully, our groups can choose wisely and ‘forgive’ occasional less involved discussions. And thanks for sharing the two books- I think I’ll add the Lisa See book to my recommendations to my club 🙂
Thanks for a good summary of two books I have not read. Also, you did a good job of presenting to “pros and cons” of generally enjoyable vs. somewhat controversial (or at least conversational) books. Our book club has found that we need a mixture of both and we strive for that balance, although some books inevitably surprise us.
Oooh, adding both to my TBR. I lol’d at “but not necessarily to be coached in how to give those perspectives or to be forced to share.” I struggle with this, too but I do love a good book club! The most successful book-ish club I was ever part of was actually a short story club (we were all brand new moms). I always thought a movie theater/ dinner club could be fun, too. Now I’m just rambling lol —
I’m excited to jump into the Slice of Life challenge – thank you for the inspiration!
Hum, I think having a variety of books—complicated, easy, anger—inducing, joyful, etc.—makes a better book club. Does that make sense? That said, I don’t have much experience w/ book clubs but can say the best discussions my AP Lit students had through the years were those centered on the most complicated books.