Shared Experience

Oh my goodness! I am hosting Book club this weekend. 

For the first time in about ten years that our book club has been going, it has been a struggle to get the book I really wanted to recommend. Mostly, if we can, we try to get a title that has quite a few copies available across the libraries that we can borrow. We have used book club sets from the library which have been a bit hit and miss. To be honest, probably more miss than hit!

The last two months we have ended up buying the book as there weren’t enough copies in the library or the waitlist was just too long. Totally worth it, but this time I tried so hard to get library books. 

Gosh, at times, it is like playing an online game of chance. Timing it just right to reserve enough copies available that will arrive in time. If left a day or two because your run is a bit early, the next time you look they are all spoken for. On a shelf waiting to be collected. In transit. Reserved. Oh dear! I missed it.

Oh, but the joy of recommending a wonderful book that you have personally enjoyed so much, is just so thrilling, especially if most of the group really enjoyed it too.

The sheer pleasure of turning that final page. That moment of deep reflection of either delight, frustration, sadness or left wondering “what next?” What will happen to some of those characters that you have grown to love as the tale unfolds.

Such is the power of wonderful writing. Such is the sheer transportation to another place that a writer can take us to. 

There have been some very special books that have been recommended by friends, family or the wider book club members. That shared experience of having all read the same book can be quite exciting. To have opposing opinions, or absolute agreement as discussion unfolds only makes that experience even richer. 

Our book club, I have to say, is a collection of nine fabulous women. We very much enjoy each other’s company as well as the shared experience of reading the same book and having the opportunity to discuss it. 

Gosh we have laughed, felt teary eyed, had long discussions, fallen in love with characters and been so frustrated at times to the point of wanting to throw the book out the window!

Last week I wrote about the importance of connection. How we all need connection to feel we belong. Connection can come in so many shapes and forms, but being part of a group with common, shared interests, for me, is one of those special connections. I imagine many would find this sort of connection in a sport’s team, a hobby group, a faith family or perhaps all three. 

Connection invites relationship, and relationship invites belonging. Belonging feels like family, and family feels like home.