Arnprior Library Book Club

When I joined the Arnprior Library Book Club in July 2004, I was taken aback by the meetings’ informality, but I have come to see that as its charm. No one is obliged to prepare for a meeting, but may if so moved. The discussion is unstructured, but lively. If things get slow, leader Hanka Latreille throws in a question or two.
Latreille inherited the leadership role from Margot Marcellus, who moved away in 2004. Marcellus started the club in May 2003. The number of members fluctuates between 6 and 12, and is currently 10 women between 40 and 70 years old. Two are original members.

The meetings are held year round on the second Tuesday of the month from 7:30 to 9:00pm in the meeting room of the Arnprior Public Library, 21 Madawaska St. Several new members have commented that they found the public location less intimidating than coming to someone’s home.

The last few years we have held potluck dinners for the July and December meetings. Routine is not our motto, however. One meeting was a “field trip” to Diane Schoemperlen’s reading in Eganville. Another was split into two sessions: lunchtime and evening.

Similarly, our book selection is varied. In general we read contemporary novels, but have read three non-fiction books, two plays, a collection of short stories, mysteries, and poetry. One meeting, each member read the John Steinbeck work of her choice, covering the span of his career. To date, we have selected our books simply by adding members’ suggestions every few months, but we are currently experimenting with nominating and voting on the next six books.

New members are welcome. For more information, contact Hanka Latreille at (613) 623-4082 or hlatreille@hotmail.com.

Galilee Centre Book Club

A brand new program at the Galilee Centre in Arnprior will explore spiritual themes in contemporary literature. Meetings are open to anyone from the Arnprior area, or from “as far away as they’re willing to come,” said David Illman-White, the program’s organizer. Illman-White has selected the first four titles, but members will make requests as the group develops.

With meetings being held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, he expects people are unlikely to attend every one, but rather choose those of most interest. The group held its first two meetings in October.

This program arose from an Arnprior men’s book club that Illman-White started in 2005. Most of the original members—five men ranging in age from 21 to 50—met through working at L’Arche, an organization that administers residences for developmentally disabled adults. They discovered that they were reading similar types of books—primarily novels—and wanted to discuss them. For some members, the opportunity for thoughtful male dialogue was critical.

Their discussions began by asking each other how they liked the book, then broadened out to how the book related to current affairs, history, politics and world issues. Often the men would reflect on the novel’s spiritual elements and relate them to their own lives. The person who chose the book would do some background research on the author and his or her career.

By 2007 the men’s book club was down to three members and, keen to continue discussing literature, Illman-White launched the new group. For more information, contact David Illman-White at (613) 623-4242 or drop in at the centre on the second or fourth Thursday of the month at 7pm. The Galilee Centre is located at 398 John St. N., Arnprior, between the Arnprior & District Memorial Hospital and the Ottawa River.