BASSETEREE, St. Kitts, Febuary 28th 2013 - IN FRONT OF a small but appreciative gathering of booklovers, another service of Greenlands Books and Things was launched – A Book Club. This occurred on Saturday February 23 2013 at the bookstore in Greenlands.
Patrons had often bemoaned the fact that booklovers appeared to have become an ‘endangered species’ and reading had become a lonely and isolated pastime. With the launch of this book club, the isolation may have ceased. A space is now being made for book enthusiasts to gather and exchange ideas, mull over recent readings and in fact choose specific books which they could critique and appreciate in common. All are invited to join the Club.
After a warm welcome by Dr. Robertine Chaderton, proprietor of Books and Things, Guest Speaker Mr. Denzil Crooke made some very insightful and relevant remarks.
He congratulated Dr. Chaderton on providing the avenue for restoring interest in reading because with the preponderance of ‘bb-ing and texting’, he feared that books were being eliminated out of societal life…which was not a good reflection.
He noted that one could tell the difference between people who read and people who do not, and he also drew comparisons between students who were considered “bright” and students who were not. It all boiled down, he said, to their love of reading. Those who read had wider vocabularies, wider experiences and lived fuller lives.
“Books talk back to you,” he noted and added that one of the joys of reading is “We can experience without experiencing!”.
The first book selected for Book Club Reading was “Fifty Shades of Grey”. Dr Chaderton explained that this book was chosen because it was ‘Valentine Month’ (February) and this was a book ‘about lovers and for lovers’.
Two former English Teachers who had read the book commented on its content and impact.
First was Lorna Callender. whose interest was peaked when she realised the world wide impact the book was having, outselling Harry Potter, the Twilight Series and the da Vinci Code. It has now been on the New York Times best seller list for over 48 weeks and topped sales in all the countries of Europe – now reaching 40 – 50 million copies being sold.
Callender regarded the book as “the bumble bee of literature”. She explained that scientists reported that the bumble bee was not supposed to be able to fly – too much bulk, too short wing span, not really aerodynamic – yet it soared. So too ‘50 Shades of Grey’ was regarded as not good literature, was regarded by some as ‘sleazy’ and ‘merely erotica’ yet it soared beyond expectations. I t therefore required further analysis to see what really were the criteria of a good book.
She concluded that the book was definitely entertaining with a Cinderella storyline, educational with regard to taking the reader into experiences not well known but the bottom line she felt was how the story made readers feel.
The second person commenting on the book was Mrs. Gloria Cave, English Teacher from St. Michael Secondary School, Barbados. She agreed that it was impossible to read the book without “feeling something” and admitted that she read it privately and only in bed.
She encouraged the audience to read the book – it was entertaining and a page turner and did lead you “to experience without experiencing.” Rather than feel guilty about reading the book, she informed that it should be read with an open and objective mind.
Later Dr. Chaderton went on to outline the benefits of being a member of the Book Club. After registration, members were entitled to a thirty percent discount on the chosen Book of the month and were also entitled to a ten percent discount on all books.
In closing she remarked that she had other ideas to enhance the bookstore and promised that bookstores will not close.
The book chosen for March is I, Alex Cross – a detective thriller.
Greenlands Books and Things opened in December of last year. Its hours are from 9.30 a.m. to 7.07 p.m. Apart from the Book Club, other services being offered include the sale of postage stamps, LIME top ups and National Dress orders. An Author’s circle was launched later that same day.
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