When the Atlantic Highlands Evening Book Club meets Thursday night at 7 p.m., it will not only be discussing Amor Towles book, The Lincoln Highway; it will be celebrating the beginning of the tenth years since it was first organized and sponsored by the Friends of the Atlantic Highlands Library.
While the library is a branch of the Monmouth County Library, it indeed is a very special alcove for not only Atlantic Highlands residents but other residents of Highlands and other Bayshore areas who are drawn to the resources there, the friendship of others, and in the case of the Book Club, fascinating and provocative discussions of a different book each month.
Two Book Clubs
The library has two book clubs, the other meeting in the morning. The morning club was the first. Former librarian Marilyn Scherfern recognized the value and popularity of that first club and when Lori Montana moved to town and Marilyn learned she had run a book club in her former hometown, she urged her to start one here evenings. Lori said, “it took a few good friends to talk me into it and one friend, Elita Taylor, said she would run it with me if I said yes.” Now the host of the evening club, Montana said “I am so grateful to everyone who gave me the confidence to host it.”.
The clubs operate with no officers, but a lot of cooperation and organization. Members choose the books they will read each month and once the group decides on the choices, the person who suggested the chosen book is generally the facilitator for the discussion. Another option the club uses is a round table discussion rather than a facilitator. While books have already been suggested and chosen for the entire year, if there is ever an open month, Lori takes suggestions and the members vote.
Philip Roth Festival
Book club members also share information about other events of interest to readers. For instance, this month’s tip lets Philip Roth fans know there is a festival celebrating the author and his work from March 17 through March 19th, with a contact to make to learn more. There’s a contact to see Studebaker cars from the 1950s and another for early photos of Howard Johnson restaurants.
As facilitator, Lori believes the club really runs itself because of the interest of its members. She said her duties are generally limited to sending out e-mail reminders and being certain there are copies of the books for the members to read.
”We have a smart, kind, and welcoming group., “ Lori says proudly. “ Each year we have an eclectic mix of books that generate thought provoking discussions. At the end of the year, we have a holiday party where we vote on our favorite and least favorite books. We have a book exchange, and I always a toast from me thanking our members for making this the best book club ever.”
Membership
There is no official membership, no dues no registration, Montas explained. The book club is there for anyone who simply wants to show up or attend the meeting via ZOOM. There is a check with the library to be certain there are copies of each chosen book available, and people can pick up copies simply by asking at the circulation desk for the book the Evening Book Club is reading. If there are not enough copies of the book available, club members share or try to find it online, making purchasing a copy of the book unnecessary.
Persons wanting further information on the club, its books, or some knowledge about the current book is invited to e-mail Monta at adlebc@gmail.com or leave a name and contact number with the librarian for a call back.
Other Books
The books for the rest of the year after January are February: The Daries of Adam and Eve by Mark Twain (Printed copies are in the library and Montana will send a link for those who would rather read it online.). The March selection is Cryin’ in the H Mart by Michelle Zainer; April is : Persuasion by Jane Austen, May, Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell ,June, The Way of All Flesh by Samuel Butler, July 1984 by George Orwell, August: Cloud Cukooland by Anthony Doerrs, September, The Regency Years by Robert Morrison, October: The Master and the Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakow, and December 8, the final meeting of the year, Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. There is no selection or meeting in November.
The Zoom invitation for Thursday’s meeting is at
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85258742472?pwd=ZDIxK0NGZ3pJUlRrdGxPRldnM2hDdz09
Meeting ID: 852 5874 2472 Passcode: 914551
For audio only: +1 305 224 1968 US Meeting ID: 852 5874 2472 Passcode: 914551
