Book Club Wed Aug 08 2007

Book Club FAQ

The Gapers Block Book Club always welcomes new members. If you're thinking about joining, you might have a few questions about the group. The answers to the following questions should give you a better idea of who we are and what we're about.

Who are the book club members?
The group includes men and women of all ages and backgrounds. On average, those who come to the discussions are mostly in their 20s and 30s, although we have many active members who fall outside that range.

How do I join?
Joining is easy. Just read our current book and come to the discussion (and be ready to talk!). You might also like to sign up for the book club mailing list to receive meeting reminders and other alerts about the group. See the sign-up box in the right column.

What kinds of books does the group read?
We read both fiction and nonfiction, and we aim for a variety of subjects, genres, writing styles and literary voices. But all of the selections have a couple things in common: We only read nonfiction books about topics related to Chicago, and fiction by local writers. The primary focus of the Gapers Block Book Club is learning about our city and the great literary talents with local roots. Past selections have included classics (The Jungle), best-sellers (The Time Traveler's Wife; Devil in the White City), memoirs (I'm Not the New Me) and first novels by major emerging talents (Crossing California; Cast of Shadows).

When, where and how often does the group meet?
We read one book each month, and we meet on the second Monday of the month at The Book Cellar bookstore in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood (4736-8 N. Lincoln Ave.). During December, however, the group takes a break, so December has no book and no meeting.

How do the discussions work?
GB Book Club staffers Alice Maggio and Veronica Bond take turns moderating the discussions. We start with introductions, so everyone has a chance to speak and get to know each other a little. Veronica and I prepare questions to get the conversation going, but we encourage everyone to jump in with their own questions at any time. The group is very laid-back and informal, and the conversation is free-flowing. Discussions typically last between 60-90 minutes.

Those are the basics. If you have additional questions, feel free to contact us at bookclub{at}gapersblock.com. And, maybe we'll see you at an upcoming meeting!

— Alice Maggio