Evening Books Interest Group
The Evening Books Interest group has been meeting for over 30 years! Because so many members participate, we have twice-a-month discussions, reading two different books each month. Members are welcome to attend either, both, or neither discussion each month. No RSVP is expected.
Schedule & Sign-Ups
We rely on participants to sign up to host, moderate, or bring refreshments for each discussion. It is also helpful to have RSVPs so we can accurately plan seating and snacks. If you would like to join the group (and do not have edit access) let Elizabeth Mandel (Evening Books Interest Group coordinator) know.
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Please review the above list and (if you are a book group member) edit to indicate where you can help out.
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Please RSVP for discussions you are planning to attend. (Note, this is appreciated but not essential… we know plans change and we’d love to have you there even if it is at the last minute.)
Please review the above list and (if you are a book group member) edit to indicate where you can help out. If you would like to join the group (and do not have edit access) let Elizabeth Mandel (Evening Books Interest Group coordinator) know.
How We Are Organized
We typically meet on the first and third Monday of each month, 7:00 until 9:00-9:30 pm. The location varies among a few members’ homes…those with adequate parking. We also take (very approximate) turns moderating and bringing refreshments (one person brings wine, another light refreshments). The host provides non-alcoholic drinks and utensils. A moderator leads the discussion.
Book Selection Process
In December, 2014, at our annual holiday party and book exchange, Evening Books celebrated 25 years of good reads with good friends.
We choose books by women authors, alternating each month between fiction and non-fiction. So each month we will read either two fiction books or two non-fiction books. We try to pick only books that are already out in paperback, and we typically choose six months’ of books at a time.
There are also a couple of months where we only meet once and we DON’T discuss books. In December, we have a party, with a potluck and wrapped book exchange (male authors ok). In July, we share recommendations of books we have read outside of books discussed in the book group, and we may bring books to loan to others (or donate to the Friends of the MH Library). In July and December, we also select the books for the upcoming months.
Do you have a book recommendation? Send it at any time to Elizabeth Mandel (Evening Books Interest Group coordinator) and we’ll add it to our list for consideration when we select our next batch of books.
Members typically use e-readers, listen using Overdrive or Libby, borrow books from the library, or purchase books. BookSmart (in Morgan Hill) stocks our upcoming selections (they keep a stack of upcoming AAUW titles on a shelf near the best sellers to the left as you enter the book store. If you mention that you are buying a book for an AAUW book club discussion, they will give you 10% off.
Evening Books History
The first Evening Books meeting took place on December 11, 1989 at Carol Holzgrafe’s home, with 5 members in attendance, including current members Carol Holzgrafe, Joanne Rife, Anne Rosenzweig, and Sandy Stoob.