A Brief History of Book Clubs

The Beginnings of Book Clubs

Because literacy was initially reserved for only those member's of society's upper classes, reading was not an activity that the general public could indulge in. This gave those who were literate, usually the wealthy and educated, an instant upper hand in society.
While there is some debate as to when the first book club was formed (in part because the facts are vague), Rachel Jacobsohn, author of The Reading Group Handbook, recalls a reading group comprised of " white glove-wearing, hat-wearing, tea-drinking, elitist old white women" from the late 1800s. This exclusive group was restricted to members who inherited a place among the coveted club.

Women's Roles in Traditional Book Clubs

Though men were the first gender to popularize the concept of a reading group, women followed the examples of their male counterparts. Though remaining confined to the social parameters of their sex, women slowly shifted their social activities from sewing circles and church groups to the eventual formation of their own reading groups.
Women initially resorted to book clubs as a way to socialize and discuss daily happenings. According to Jacobsohn, women in reading groups "simply came together to discuss the same issues and dilemmas that men debated". Women used the reading group as an outlet to not only socialize, but to be given an opportunity to have a voice and be heard among peers.


Read more at Suite101: A Brief History of Book Clubs: How the Modern Reading Group Developed | Suite101.com http://lisa-rufle.suite101.com/a-brief-history-of-book-clubs-a64430#ixzz1oNT1Lh88

A Good Mystery: Why We Read

By MOTOKO RICH

 

PERHAPS the most fantastical story of the year was not “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,” but “The Uncommon Reader,” a novella by Alan Bennett that imagines the queen of England suddenly becoming a voracious reader late in life.

At a time when books appear to be waging a Sisyphean battle against the forces of MySpace, YouTube and “American Idol,” the notion that someone could move so quickly from literary indifference to devouring passion seems, sadly, far-fetched.

The problem was underscored last week when the National Endowment for the Arts delivered the sobering news that Americans — particularly teenagers and young adults — are reading less for fun. At the same time, reading scores among those who read less are declining, and employers are proclaiming workers deficient in basic reading comprehension skills.

So that’s the bad news. But is all hope gone, or will people still be drawn to the literary landscape? And what is it, exactly, that turns someone into a book lover who keeps coming back for more?

There is no empirical answer. If there were, more books would sell as well as the “Harry Potter” series or “The Da Vinci Code.” The gestation of a true, committed reader is in some ways a magical process, shaped in part by external forces but also by a spark within the imagination. Having parents who read a lot helps, but is no guarantee. Devoted teachers and librarians can also be influential.

But despite the proliferation of book groups and literary blogs, reading is ultimately a private act. “Why people read what they read is a great unknown and personal thing,” said Sara Nelson, editor in chief of the trade magazine Publishers Weekly.

In some cases, asking someone to explain why they read is to invite an elegant rationalization. Junot Díaz, the author of “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao,” vividly recalls stumbling into a mobile library shortly after his family emigrated from the Dominican Republic to New Jersey when he was 6 years old. He checked out a Richard Scarry picture book, a collection of 19th-century American wilderness paintings and a bowdlerized version of Arthur Conan Doyle’s “Sign of Four.”

To continue reading:    http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/weekinreview/25rich.html?pagewanted=all

Happy Donating

Are books taking over your house donate them for a tax deduction and help enrich the lives and imaginations of others in need. There are many ways to donate you doesn't have to be money or the coat off your back. Listed below are two ways to donate via the Mail or at a drop off center.

Mail:
Liberian Development Foundation, Inc.
6203 Pontiac St
College Park, MD 20740

A cost efficient was to mail if by using Media mail provided by the USPS, remember USP and Fedex will not mail to post boxes so use the USPS. LDF will mail you back a receipt for your donation.

Walk in:
Another great way to give is to walk in to your local GoodWill sotre and drop off books, they will write you out a receipt then and there.
http://locator.goodwill.org/?gclid=CJae-Juqua0CFcZM4AodzB1iQA

Happy Donating!!!!

The New York Public Library Launches eBook Central

In an effort to help New Yorkers understand their Kindles, Nooks, iPads and other e-readers, The New York Public Library has launched a new free service called eBook Central. For all of you using eReaders that haven't create a public library e-account, but it on your new years resolution list because this will be a great savings. I went from spending and average of $40 a month on books to $20 or less.

Patrons can head to nypl.org/ebookcentral for detailed information on how to download the Library’s digital material - including eBooks, music and videos - on to any major device. The website will also explain how to find and access free educational apps, including the Library’s catalog app Bibliocommons.

In addition, from Jan. 4 until Jan. 13, trained reference librarians will provide in-person assistance with e-readers at both the Library’s flagship Stephen A. Schwarzman Building, located on 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue, and The Mid-Manhattan Library, located at 455 Fifth Avenue (at 40th Street). The free service will take place during specific hours from Monday to Saturday – patrons should check the website for exact schedules.

Link to this article:

http://www.nypl.org/press/press-release/2011/12/27/new-york-public-library-launches-ebook-central

First thing you'll need to do is get a New York Library card and a Pin number, you'll need to go to the library to do so. If you don’t live in New York can use your work ID to show you work in New York City.

Then use the link below to sign into the e-library

http://ebooks.nypl.org/52BD2C4D-4EEF-400C-9495-FDB19A0C2FA7/10/257/en/Default.htm

Once you are in you can start searching books in your preferred format and adding them to the Wishlist. Be sure to go into the Lending Periods section and set your default leading periods day, it can be 1, 2 or 3 weeks.

From your Wishlist you can select books to be placed in my e-holds.

When the book is available the library will e-mail you letting you know.

At that point you have 2 days to log on and download the book.

From there it will move to your my eList for you to check out.

In the My eChecks Outs there is be a link to download the books along with the Expires on date.

Happy Reading and even better Happy Saving.