Interest Group Convenors have been creative, a couple of groups continue to meet via Zoom but the majority of groups have elected to meet in person.
A complete alphabetical Listing of Interest Groups can be found HERE. Our Interest Group Calendar can be found HERE.
Revolving Books
This group offers Club members the opportunity to read for pleasure (while holding a real book). For approximately $40 you read a book a month during the Club year and keep the final book. There are no meetings, only the obligation to pass the book to the next reader on a set date.
The committee selects the books and endeavors to provide something for everyone using these guidelines: current books published within the year, a variety of genres, time frames and topics, half fiction and half non-fiction and, whenever possible, a biography and a mystery.
The committee welcomes suggestions to add to our list of prospective titles, although the titles have been chosen for this year. We try to deal with an independent book store able to help with information on content and availability and possibly provide a discount but we may make our purchases with the big-name online sellers when necessary.
Titles are included in the Fall newsletter. You can link to A Novel Spot for detailed descriptions of the books. If you would like to participate you can contact Ann McElhinney or Cathy Sbrolla.
Don’t forget, you get to keep the last book on your rotation list!
Book Clubs
There are eight discussion groups that meet afternoons and evenings. The books, discussion leaders, and monthly hostesses are chosen in June for the following year. Books chosen include fiction and non-fiction, both Canadian and from other countries. Lists of the books selected for the current year are available from the Convenors.
Tuesday Afternoon Book Discussion
We meet on the fourth Tuesday afternoon at 1 pm from September to November, then again from January to May. We meet at member’s homes.
At the May meeting we select the following seasons books. Each of our members brings their suggestions. We vote on which book we would like, and (prior to this year) would ask for a member to agree to host the meeting.
Each month we typically have a discussion leader (the member who suggested the book). Occasionally, we will have a general discussion with someone agreeing to give an overview of the book, and someone else looking up some discussion questions. Please contact Marie Scarfo.
2023-24 Books
Sept 26 – Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
Oct. 24 – The Back of the Turtle by Thomas King
Nov 28 – Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Jan 23 – Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Feb 27 – Permanent Astonishment by Tomson Highway
Mar 26 – Ashton Hall by Lauren Belfer
April 23 – Caste – The Origins of Our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson
May 28 – To decide on books for next season
Bookenders 1
Our group members have an eclectic taste, choosing both fiction and non fiction books. Meetings run September to May, omitting December. We meet in person at Fairfield on the third Tuesday of the month at 7 pm but, in Jan and Feb,we will meet on Zoom. A member of the group volunteers to be the discussion leader each month. In June we decide on the books we want to read and discuss for the next season and have a social meeting in June to finalize our book selections.
Books for 2023-24 are Liberation Day, Everybody’s Son, Lessons, Run Towards the Danger, Women Talking, Stolen Focus, A Grand Old Time and The Personal Librarian.
Bookenders 2
A lively group of intelligent women, gifted with wit and charm, meet for approximately an hour and a half to discuss selected books, on the third Tuesday evening at 7:30pm.We are meeting on Zoom for the foreseeable future. Please contact Jean Passi or Mary Ann Dean.
Book Worms
Are you interested in reading world class books? We read fiction and non-fiction by authors from the Americas, Europe and Asia. Books are selected because they either contain discussion-worthy topics (political, social, racial, religious or environmental issues) or provide us exposure to something new/different – as in a “food for thought” experience. Because each group member reads a wide variety of books, our group reads books that vary in style and tone. Please contact Deb Forsyth-Petrov.
Canadian Book Discussion
The number of excellent Canadian writers just keeps growing and we thoroughly enjoy discovering the worlds they create for us. You are most welcome to join us (on Zoom, for now) for friendly and lively discussions.We meet the first Thursday of the month at 1:30 pm. Please contact Sharon McLeod.
2023-24 Books
Oct – Seven by Farzana Doctor
Nov – Looking for Jane by Heather Marshall
Dec – Discuss books we would recommend
Jan – The Push by Ashley Audrain
Feb – The Grey Islands by John Steffler
Mar – Such Big Dreams by Reema Patel
Apr – Run Towards The Danger by Sarah Polley
May – On The Ravine by Vincent Lam
Jun – Pick books for next year
Flashlight Worthy Books
Did you huddle beneath your blankets as a child with a flashlight reading a book you simply could not put down? If yes, this book club interest group is for you. We meet on the second Wednesday of each month in the evening for a lively discussion of books from all literary genres—fiction, non-fiction, history, biography, and more. At present we meet on Zoom. Please contact Suzanne Wade.
Horizon Book Discussion Group
We read books in all categories and our choices are made in June for the following year. We meet via Zoom on the first Tuesday of the month at 3:00 pm. Please contact Ann McElhinney.
Novels+
Novels+ meets the first Tuesday of the month at 1:30 pm to discuss books chosen by members. Presently meetings are on Zoom, but will be held in members’ homes when possible. New members are welcome. Please contact Peggy Pinkerton.
Who Dunnit Book Club NEW
Do you love a good mystery novel? Do you enjoy the chance to find clues and test your sleuthing skills? Have you read every novel Agatha Christie or Deborah Crombie wrote? Are Poirot and Inspector Morse your super heroes?
Join other murder mystery aficionados to chat about your favourite author, crime fighting detective, or the best mystery novel you’ve ever read!
OR….If you aren’t a mystery buff, join WHO DUNNIT BOOK CLUB and find out why this is the most popular literary genre. We’ll start with the discussion of a mystery novel written by a well-known author and then ask our members to suggest some lesser-known authors or a “one hit wonder”. We may also discuss new or interesting crime series.
WHO DUNNIT BOOK CLUB is a new interest group, so we have not finalized the details, however:
- Meetings will probably be held at Fairfield on a Monday afternoon
- Members will be encouraged to bring their own snacks and stay for a 1-2 hour get together.
- Meetings will be held October, November, March and April (possibly May if members wish).
If there is enough interest to form a group, we’ll hold the first meetings in October and November and then decide which months to meet in 2024. Contact Anne Watkinson for more information.