Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/100910
The book club also boasts a unique twist. Having started as a feminist group after the grad school friends reunited in 1981, the group decided to focus their reading list solely on female authors. And so was created the two unwritten, but seriously enforced, rules of the group. 1) The book must be written by a woman. 2) Monthly meetings always begin with the book discussion. No one is quite sure who authored the rules, but they all agree that following them religiously has been the glue that has kept them interested in continuing to meet month after month. Over time, these rules have guided the group, which now runs like a well-oiled machine. The group���s extensive book list is organized neatly in a spreadsheet, thanks to Vater, a founding member who felt the need to keep track to avoid redundancy. She never imagined it would grow to such a unique mix of biography, historical fiction, romance and even fantasy reading. No one is allowed to argue about the book choice, and disagreement is not expressed if that���s the case. ���We don���t,��� they all concur adamantly. They take turns choosing books; if it���s your month, you get to choose, regardless of length, topic or author. Members say they have enjoyed stretching themselves while learning of other members��� interests, various periods in history and remarkable women, of course. It���s a system that frequently forces them to step out of their comfort zone. But that unknown territory is often the best source of inspiration and engaging conversations. ���I enjoy reading books that I never even would have picked up, heard about, or thought I���d have the least bit interest in,��� says DeVore. It���s also one of the many ways they���ve been able to keep their discussions fresh and interesting. Of course, if you really want to see them get going, turn the topic toward a book���s characters. One time, members, comprised of both librarians and social workers, even diagnosed the types of psychological treatment the characters should have had. But they���ve also stayed interested in the readings by falling in love with a few particular authors. Erdrich, a writer known for her novels, poetry and children���s books is one. The other author they admire and follow faithfully is Barbara Kingsolver. Over the years, they���ve pondered seven Kingsolver novels and 11 Erdrich. Jane Hamilton is almost a must as well, due to her Wisconsin roots. And occasionally they look to classics to both offer something new and take them on a voyage back in time. In 2011, the women turned the pages of ���To Kill a Mockingbird��� of which most had not read since grade school. ���We are different now and the nation is different now,��� says Kruse. With a deeper understanding of race, there were many discussion points that made revisiting this classic a ���really important experience,��� she adds. They agree they���ve been able to absorb a wealth of knowledge about cultures and history through reading. But what has really stood out for the group is what they���ve learned about themselves and each other along the way. Beyond the lessons in literature, the book club has become an impressive display of how dedication can take you far, even when life is pulling you in different directions. Through the years, members have rarely missed a meeting. And the only situation that has ever caused them to cancel for the month? Snow���and just three times in 32 years. ���There were years when this book group was the only thing I did at night once a month, and it was so important to me,��� says Vater. Her children, now in their late 20s were 14 months apart and this hectic mom found motivation in her book club. 2012 Top Pick ���Women Who Read Books by Women��� select their favorite book to list in the Madison Library Book Club Caf�� booklet. This year���s favorite and very ���discussable��� read? ���Half a Yellow Sun��� by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ���My daughters say we need to bring in five people 20 years younger if we want to keep this group going,��� Vater adds. But members agree bringing in new people isn���t necessary for them to forge on. So, as another calendar year begins, members of Madison���s ���Women who Read Books by Women ��� plan to continue with tradition by turning the pages of 12 new books together. ��������� January 2013 bravamagazine.com 51