Local libraries book a growing number of reading groups

Kimberley McGee

Friday, Jan. 25, 2002 | 4:41 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

The characters and plot of a good book can get under a reader's skin, itching to be discussed.

There is a cure for this book bug: book clubs.

Readers have responded so well to the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District-sponsored book clubs that the district is planning to introduce more during the year, said Patricia Marvel, director of marketing and community relations for the Library District.

The district has always been open to hosting book clubs for interested groups of readers, Marvel said, but a program was begun in earnest in the fall of 2000. Each library chose a genre that was popular for its area.

"We have a number of staff members who promote book clubs," Marvel said. "Anyone can join or start their own (through) the library."

The response has been overwhelming, she said. Each group has about 20 members, and requests for more book clubs have been received by the Library District.

The book clubs are open to members free of charge, and the library provides the selected book to the club members one month before they are to be discussed.

One of the first unofficial library book clubs is the Clark County Library Great Books & Reading Discussion Group, which has met monthly since 1984 at the Clark County Library, 1401 E. Flamingo Road. The club meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

Jane Macia, 75, has been a member and conducted discussions of classic literature for the book club since its inception.

"When we read things like Plato and Aristotle, everyone (in the discussion group) brings something different to the discussion," Macia said. "It's enjoyable to read alone, but also to share and understand from other people's (perspectives) the text. It's very stimulating."

Intellectual and social stimulation is the trigger of most book clubs, said Becky Hricsina, library assistant at the Sahara West Library, 9600 W. Sahara Ave.

Hricsina leads the mystery-book club Murder in the Library Book Group, which meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday and 10 a.m. the second Wednesday of each month.

"Sometimes it can be very revealing," Hricsina said. "People learn a lot more about the book when they talk to other people who have read the same thing they have read."

To add flavor to the book-club meetings, Hricsina brings food, music and other props that relate to the book the group is reading.

"I research the author so they (the club members) can have some background and try to make it interesting," Hricsina said. "A book club should enhance the reading."

Judy Rebholz, 54, joined the murder-mystery book club last year after being intrigued by the notion of discussing books in a group.

"Sometimes you get anxious to talk to someone else about what you are reading," Rebholz said. "In the club there's a lot of sharing. You can't wait to hear someone's opinion."

Avid readers are more apt to want to share their thoughts on characters and plots to further their enjoyment of the book, Teresa Manix, Summerlin Library branch assistant, said.

She hosts the Summerlin Library Book Chat Cafe, which meets the third Saturday of each month at the library, 1771 Inner Circle Drive.

The group usually chooses contemporary classic books, Manix said, such as "Our Man in Havana" by Graham Greene. The club members say they feel close to each other and often express themselves openly if a book's characters or plot hit too close to home, Manix said.

"It can get emotional at times," Manix said. "We've had people cry at our book clubs because they relate (the book's plot) to their own lives."

The book itself is an important character in a good club, she said. A good book will keep members riveted and spur interesting conversations, Manix said.

"That's why people come to the book clubs," Manix said. "It's fun to talk about what the book made you think and get other people's opinions."

At 2 p.m. on Feb. 10 at the Summerlin Library Conference Room, Manix will hold a workshop titled "How to Start a Book Discussion Group." She will offer tips on how to select titles using print and Web resources, how to reach new members, gather discussion aids and keep the group interesting and fun.

"You really have to love to talk about books and like connecting to people with the book," Manix said. "You have to put in a lot of time and effort. Of course, bringing good baked goods and coffee is not a bad thing, either."