Mixed Bag Book Club

Four years ago, some of my previous students-turned- friends were looking for a way to stay in contact and continue their learning.  I thought a book group would fit both needs, and so "Mixed Bag" book club began.

Now, admittedly, some of us leaned more toward the social aspect while others were interested in reading.  The group has room for both although we're tending to be more social than literary.  Here we are out for dinner at a local Asian restaurant. In the picture below, we are at a local art exhibit where our artist had one of her drawings displayed.  Most of the time, we meet in the community room of a local Lunds/Byerlys supermarket, but occasionally we get together at one of our homes to reconnect, eat and celebrate!

Among our group, we have an ex-librarian, a chef, two English teachers, a counselor, a dental hygienist, an artist and a computer programmer--quite an eclectic group.  Choosing a genre of book that fits all of us is indeed the challenge. Some are mystery lovers and fiction aficionados while others non-fiction buffs, armchair travelers or cross-cultural connoisseurs.  One thing that we usually agree on is that the book should be on the short side--around 200 pages if possible, but hopefully not more than 300.  This is actually the biggest challenge:  a quality book that is on the brief side!  We have had some success with that formula--even some books under 200 pages.  Here are some of our favorite books to date (though never unanimous favorites!):

Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto (1st Book--152 pages!)
I'm a Stranger Here Myself by Bill Bryson
Nickeled and Dimed in America by Barbara Ehrenreich
China Dog by Judy Fong Bates
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
Dreams of My Russian Summers by Andrei Makine
Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
Fear and Trembling by Amelie Nothomb (144 pages!)
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert (330 pages)
Loving Frank by Nancy Horan


Recently, we are passing around two books (thereby reducing costs and long waits for books, but alas, never having everyone on the same page, so to speak.):  The Piano Teacher and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  We had no idea that the latter book would become a movie and turn into such a desired read (the list at the public library is miles long!)  I was just thinking, ahh, a mystery. 


I am somewhat surprised but glad that the Mixed Bag Book Club has continued this long.  It does take the effort of at least one person to pick a date and set the place. We all try to contribute book ideas--but two or three active members will help to keep a book club going.  Also, having the option to just meet at the community room is nice when no one has the time to clean the house or make a dish.  Let's toast another four years to the "Mixed Bag" book club.