Shalom CRC Book Club started about 11 years ago during a time when our congregation was studying 40 Days of Purpose, and it's still going strong. We even have a “daughter” club that formed in Grand Rapids when four of our members moved there.
South Dakota has a “One Book South Dakota” program; our book group has read every selection since the program started in 2003. A Festival of Books is held every September, and we try to coordinate attending some of the author talks and events.
Favorite One Book South Dakota selections include the very first one, Peace Like a River by Leif Enger, as well as The Work of Wolves by Kent Meyers, The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig, and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie.
A few members attended the Festival of Faith and Writing in Grand Rapids and were able to connect with our daughter club this past April.
Our local library has a great selection of Book Bags to Go (12 books and discussion questions in a bag that we can check out). Our group recently met at Khorasan's Kabob House to discussAnd the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini.
A comment often heard is, "I would have never read that book if it wasn't for book club." With over 120 books read over the years, we have given only a handful of them two thumbs down. The book club is a great way to combine love of literature, learning, and enjoyment.
About the Author
Julie Ledeboer
