Gain knowledge and feel pleasure at the same time … through books! How great is that?
That’s the Variety Book Club (VBC). Since 2003, the members—of whom this writer has been one since 2006―monthly review and discuss the current booklist consisting mainly of current New York Times paperback best sellers
Following a short roll-out by a title’s “selector,” a book is discussed by those who read the book as well as those who did not. “The small size of the group allows for this unusual approach,” says sponsor Debra Sheldon of the Education Department. “It’s not for everyone.”
Indeed! Members regularly rotate one or two copies of a dozen titles between meetings. More books are read by more people in the same amount of time, and it allows more flexibility to every member.
Kamal Sefeldeen explains, “Right now, I don’t have as much time to read like I used to, but I appreciate the reviews by the other members and will probably read some of their recommendations.”
Keith Lettier says he would not have even considered a quaint account of a circus in the 1930s by female author Sara Gruen titled Water for Elephants were it not for a review by another member. “It has definitely expanded my horizons.”
Club operations always allow the club to revisit a book once all members have read it. For example , Cormac McCarthy ‘s The Road ,  a post nuclear war account of man’s inhumanity towards man, was discussed repeatedly. This writer appreciated the peer review of Khaled Hosseini’s  The Kite Runner, a story of love, friendship and redemption in warring Afghanistan. I eventually read it.
The membership is small and limited. The only time it will take up is the reading and the monthly meeting.
If you are interested in participating, contact  D. Sheldon in the Education Department.