Greendale READS: Books that Spark Deep Discussion

Tuesday evening, the hosted a book discussion of the Nicole Krauss novel The History of Love.  Dr. Edwin Block, a Marquette University professor, led the discussion of the book’s complex story with a group of local Greendalers.

By five minutes to 7 p.m. a crowd trickled into the lower level of the library. The group diverse in age and gender, all toted the same blue jacketed novel. Some participants admitted this book was the first in many years they had read, others claimed to have been forced by a spouse to read it and all agreed the book was confusing.

According to Greendale READS organizer, Gary Warren Niebuhr, “What is most important in planning a book discussion is choosing a book that can be discussed. If a novel doesn’t have depth to it, or multiple themes and aspects – everyone will come into the room and simply agree that they liked it or they didn’t. We are striving for a more purposeful conversation.”

Greendale READS is a program that the library hosts twice a year, once in spring and fall. Niebuhr claims, “Our goal would be to have the whole community read the same book, at the same time.” While that would be difficult to implement a new book to a school curriculum, the library has attracted a following within the adults of the community for this book discussion.

The History of Love appeared to hit the mark with intrigue and profundity. Professor Block began the evening with several prepared questions and asked the group to introduce themselves. The participants could barely make out their own names without immediately jumping into their opinions of the story. The conversation flew naturally across the room as debates over the story’s timeline and characters unfolded.

The program lasted until 8:30 p.m. and as a take away the guests were reminded of the next novel lined up in the 2011 series: Extremely Loud and Incredibly Dangerous by Jonathan Safran Foer. “This year’s book discussion schedule is very interesting because we have chosen two authors who happen to be married to one another and have very similar styles and point of views. We look forward to the fall discussion,” concluded Niebuhr.

For more information about upcoming events please visit: http://www.mcfls.org.