This club is not just about self-help books, although that was my original idea for the name. But when I thought about all the books that I’d read that were not classified as self-help, and how useful they were, I was driven to start this club.
Books about philosophy, healthy cooking and personal finance wouldn't be considered 'self-help' but they can assist us in many ways. In short, we will be covering almost any type of book that provides information and ideas to the reader.
Have you ever read a book and can’t get it out of your head for days? That means it had some kind of impact on you. Just as our life experiences change us, so can the written word. Some authors and their ideas change us in small ways, others have a significant effect on our thinking. In many ways we are the sum total of what we learn.
There are mountains of self-help books available, but how do we know if they are useful? Are they worth spending the money to buy or the time to read? Some are so confusing that they only make the problems worse. Others are so vague or broad that the advice they offer might mean anything - or nothing. This is where the idea of a book club fits in.
Each person has a unique interpretation of what they have read. When even a few people gather and discuss a book, the ideas and viewpoints each person brings can benefit all the others. Sometimes the net result of a meeting is to decide the information is of little value to anyone. More often the different perspectives produce results that profit everyone in the group.
Our monthly meetings include the discussion of the current book, followed by a discussion about books in general. Some of the things we discuss are favorite books, authors, favorite book stores, collections of books, etc.
Occasionally we may have a guest author speak at our gatherings, providing insight and a personal viewpoint on the subject matter.
I’ve read many books over the years, and I believe reading is one of the most enjoyable forms of education. Talking about books, finding commonalities and differences enhances that experience.
I hope you'll join us.
