Better Together – Reading in Community
By Shirley Hickman, Threads of Life volunteer
In the May issue of Better Together I reflected on what the mission, vision and values of Threads of Life mean to me. Those statements have carried me through many challenges and difficult times dealing with our family tragedy and trying to build a new organization. For sure I didn’t build Threads of Life alone. We know we can do better when we work together. I believe that reflects how we individually cope with daily stress – when we get together with others it gives us time to recover, to laugh and find some humour. Reading is a solitary activity, but it’s fun and healing to talk with others about what we’re reading. Since I have now retired, I have found getting immersed into a book, time can get away from me. Have you ever found that?
In the May issue I invited you to share what books you like to read or your favourite author.
A couple of our family members shared why they started a book club, and others their favourite books or authors. For July, share your favourite summer activity you do with others. Just two or three sentences. You can send them to [email protected]. If I receive them before June 27, I can include them in the July issue of Better Together.
Debbie shared: One way I enjoy books is by belonging to a book club. I started one virtually at the beginning of the pandemic in 2000, and we are still going strong. The beauty of belonging to a book club is that I am now reading books I am not sure I would have picked out on my own. I have discovered new authors I would never have read and I love the thoughtful discussions that take place among our members every month. It is a great way to socialize with people who really do love to read as much as I do. If you are looking to get started, here are a few of my favourite authors you should check out – I do lean towards mystery and suspense:
- John Grisham – Legal thrillers
- Mary Higgins-Clark – AMAZING suspense novels (the who dunnit is always a surprise)
- Janet Evanovich – Romance, mystery and suspense
- Liane Moriarty – Number 1 best sellers such as Nine Perfect Strangers, Big Little Lies and Apples Never Fall (so many of her books have been made into movies)
- Nelson DeMille – bestselling author of several crime mystery, adventure, and thriller novels. He has written many standalone novels, as well as three series.
Marj shared: How do you cope when times are challenging? When I find myself struggling, I try to keep busy, but most of all I love to read (81 titles in 2024). You can travel the world, solve mysteries, have a history lesson, etc. all from the comfort of your easy chair.
Back in 2011, when I found myself feeling unsettled, I decided to enquire at our local library about starting a book club. The librarian posted a sign to see if there were others who might be interested. There were. The library had book club “kits” available for us to choose from. Each month we get together to chat about the book we’ve all read.
Wonderful discussions ensue!
Over the years we’ve found that a book we haven’t particularly enjoyed reading sometimes results in the best discussions. The titles have varied greatly – some classics, some mysteries, some historical fiction and non-fiction. The core group of seven members have stayed the same for the last 14 years, but new members are always welcome and have joined us.
If you find yourself feeling unsettled in these challenging times, go to your local library and immerse yourself in the wide variety of the books you can find there!
Tara shared: I have always loved reading, but since my occupational disease diagnosis and retiring early, I have been reading more, completing up to three books a week. Reading allows me to relax, blank out the world around me, and forget about the negative. I do not have a favourite author or book, but many favourite authors and books, because I love anything that is historical fiction and before 1970s, that takes me back in time to before I was born. Some historical fiction authors I love are Kate Quinn, Emma Donoghue, Beatriz Williams, Marie Benedict, Pam Jenoff, and Lucinda Riley.
Karolyn shared: I have a wide variety of favourite authors. Check out Jojo Moyes,
Elin Hildebrand, Maeve Binchy, Jennifer Weiner, Herman Koch, J.D Robb, Kristen Hannah, Liane Moriarty, Sophie Kinsella.
Jodi shared: One of my favorite authors is Lisa Jewel and I would recommend the book “Then she was gone”. I couldn’t put it down from the first chapter!
Enjoy your reading! And remember, for our next Better Together, share your favourite summer activity you do with others. Just 2 or 3 sentences. You can send them to [email protected]