Book Club Experience

I chose to go to a classics book club that someone was hosting at another branch of my library. At first, I didn’t think I’d be able to make it because my work schedule is a little erratic. I actually know a few of the people who run it, so I didn’t feel as bad about dropping in.

They were reading The Iliad that month, which is something I read well over a decade ago. If I’m being really honest, I have to say that I skimmed it for a class during my freshman year at college. I read the Spark Notes so I wouldn’t be totally lost. Fortunately for me, the discussion of the book wasn’t too stressful. I was a bit worried they’d call on me like in an English class.

There were five people in total, including the person running it. Thankfully, it was a very informal style program and the library in question wasn’t sponsoring it, just allowing the use of their meeting room. We were instructed beforehand to bring something brunch related because it took place on a Saturday morning (just no Mimosas!). I brought a decent sized fruit tray to keep it simple. I didn’t pay too close attention to what food the other people brought (I think someone brought mini-quiches) because I usually can’t eat anything at brunch gatherings because I’m allergic to eggs and am also a vegetarian.

I ended up getting kind of jittery from too much coffee and only eating fruit, but it was a pretty good time. There were two women (myself included) and three men, which is interesting based on what I’ve read about most people’s experiences with book clubs. Maybe it’s because a man runs this one?

I didn’t have to worry very much about not talking because the leader of the group, the other woman that was there, and the oldest of the three men did most of the talking. There was a lot of talk about the comparisons of the story with newer “retellings” like The Song of Achilles. The other woman who was there really liked Madeline Miller’s book and the conversation spent some time there, but not all of us had read it.

Out of the entire hour of the club, I’d say that about half of it was spent on the book, otherwise, we just chatted and snacked. They invited me back for the next one and I told them I’d go if I could fit it into my schedule. I don’t think I can stomach any more Greek Mythology, though! They're reading The Odyssey next so I might skip that one. Their plan is to go forward in time through units, maybe I'll jump back in when they get to Scheherazade or The Wife of Bath...

(I think they were using the Stephen Mitchell translation, by the way)