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There are exercise clubs, sewing clubs, civic clubs and after-hours clubs in Rutherford County. Car clubs, card playing, youth clubs, running and walking clubs also claim the interest of many. The number of clubs around Rutherford County is endless and the subject matters are just as numerous.
Perhaps one of the most popular are book clubs and there are several of them. Some meet in private homes, some in restaurants, some in libraries, book stores or even online. Most are public clubs as those mentioned in this article. They are also free.
Former East Rutherford High School librarian Pam Childers of Forest City is known for her experience and expertise with books. Retired from her job at East, she still orders books, but these are for two book clubs she helps coordinate.
"Book clubs are a great way to socialize and meet new people," Pam said. When choosing books for Cover to Cover and Spinning Tales book clubs, Childers said, "my goal for choosing books is to encourage at least one member to step outside their box."
Childers said many people do not read outside of their box, but she encourages exploring other avenues.
"We don't read rom-coms (romantic comedies) and many people read one genre or series books like Virgin River," she said.
The Spinning Tales Club depends on public libraries to get the books." Pam began. "We have to read older books to wait for circulation to go down among the libraries in the county. These books are the bestsellers," Pam explained.
The Cover to Cover Book Club meets the second Tuesday of the month at 6pm at Mario's in Forest City. Most members purchase books or use public libraries, Pam said.
"Never choose a book for the book club you have not read," she advises.
Charlotte Epley of Rutherfordton is a member of the Cover to Cover book club that meets at Mario's restaurant in Forest City.
"I enjoy being with these women, most of our group are teachers... or have retired," Charlotte said. "I appreciate the discussions and the varied perspectives, it causes me to think and consider things differently and we all need that," Charlotte added.
Book club members bring various ideas about the books, but Pam said she can usually tell who will not enjoy a particular book.
"They still contribute with interpretations," she said.
A reader of more than 100 books a year herself, Pam said she likes to hold her book in her hands to read. However, when traveling she will use a kindle.
Pam is loving retirement and often visits www.LibraryThink.com to keep a list of the books she is reading. She does not reread because there are too many new books available.
Her favorite book of all time is Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd.
While at East, Pam met many avid readers.
"We talked about books and they were always telling me books to order" she said. "I may have converted a few nonreaders with book talks."
Rutherford Readers book club began at the Norris Public Library in Rutherfordton some years ago, said librarian Sarah Ross. It meets the first Tuesday of each month at the library and has been a popular club for many people for a long time. New members are welcome.
Ross was delighted recently when a grammar school-age student from Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy asked about starting a book club for her age group at Norris Public Library.
The student's interest prompted the Tween/Teen book club and is for anyone between the ages of 10-15. "It's wide open and there is no registration," Ross said.
The chosen book for this month is Fallen by Lauren Kate.
The upcoming meeting for the Tween/Teen book club will be Tuesday, Feb 7 at 3:30pm. The meeting day may vary based on the students' schedule and parents
"We are wide open and anyone can join," Ross said.
"We tell people book clubs give us the freedom to read," Ross said. "We don't own the club, but we try to provide resources to kids and their families to help them," she said.
"We offer professional reviews of books. Everyone can choose what they read and we provide the resources so they can choose," Ross said
Call 828-287-3520 ext. 3 for more information regarding both book clubs offered at Norris Public Library.
Marily Floyd coordinates Library Book Club at Mountains Branch Library in Lake Lure.
"We have about 20 members with about 10-12 average meeting size,'" Marily said. "We select books a year in advance so everyone knows what is coming up. We have author lunch meetings when possible. We have fabulous discussions and lots of laughter. We are a diverse group and enjoy our gatherings."
The club meets the second Monday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Mountain's Branch Library in Lake Lure.
Not Your Mother's Book Club, at Next Door Used Books in Forest City, meets on the first Thursday of each month at 5:30pm. "We read a variety of books: general fiction, historical fiction, biographies," said coordinator Melanee Berlin. "All people are welcome, at this moment we have a great group of six to eight people that meet regularly. We're an eclectic group, all ages, life stages, but come together over a common interest, books. If anyone is interested, they're welcome to call me at 619-322-9364," she said.
Isothermal Community College has a book club for its employees and students to join with the next meeting on Friday, Feb. 10 at 9am.
For each meeting, participants can join in person or virtually. To learn more, join, and/or obtain a virtual meeting link, contact Jeremy Burris at jburris@isothermal.edu. Below is the pertinent information for each reading selection:
• The Cabin at the End of the World- Paul Tremblay: Friday, February 10, 9am, Administration 205
• Behind Closed Doors- B.A. Paris: Friday, March 3, 9am, Administration 205
• Afterlives (Global Distinction)- Abdulrazak Gurnah: Friday, April 21, 9am, Administration 205
