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The Tahlequah Public Library just finished its third meeting of a monthly book club created to support patrons’ love for reading.
Books ‘n’ Brunch gives patrons time to discuss books and allows them to gather over food provided by the library.
Jeremy Jones, branch manager for TPL, said he started the group in September, but he got the idea from when he worked at the Warner Public Library.
“You talk about books better when you have food. For some reason, that is the case. I don’t know why,” Jones said, with a chuckle.
Adding the food element, Jones said, allows the club to have an informal and relaxed atmosphere. Jones said he wants Books ‘n’ Brunch to be community-led and for the discussions to be organic.
“Eventually, I hope we have people who would be willing to lead the discussion one month,” Jones said.
Some of the literature Books ‘n’ Brunch participants have already discussed include “The Invisible Life of Addie Larue” by V. E. Schwab, “Killers of the Flower Moon” by David Grann, and “The King’s Discussion” by Steve Berry. Jones said the goal is for patrons to read something outside of their comfort zones.
“A book may fall into someones comfort zone, and we definitely want that in the group, but we also want to experience different types of books we don’t normally do because that makes for a good discussion, even when somebody doesn’t like it,” Jones said.
Jones said regardless of how someone feels about a book, the group members can share their thoughts on the work, including why they like or dislike certain parts of it. Discussing the books and encouraging others to read has been Jones’ favorite part of the club, especially when people say they would not have read a certain book had it not been for the group.
“I just hope they continue a love of reading or maybe discover new authors they would like to read in the future, and try something they haven’t tried,” Jones said. “I think coming together and talking about our love for reading is the biggest part of it, whether you like this particular book or not.”
The group meets the fourth Monday of each month at 10:30 a.m. at TPL. The number of attendees has ranged anywhere from three to eight patrons so far.
“That’s the whole point of the group, too,” Jones said. “You’re not locked into being a member, necessarily. We want you to feel like you’re part of it, but there is no requirement to come every meeting if you can’t make it.”
You’re invited
Due to the holiday season, the next Books ‘n’ Brunch will take place Dec. 18 at the Tahlequah Public Library at 10:30 a.m. The group will discuss “Skipping Christmas” by John Grisham.
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