Natasha Aliabadi / Roundup
The Pierce College book club’s first meeting of the semester was held on Thursday in the faculty dining room.
The book club is exclusively for faculty and staff. It was co-founded in 1999 by Karin Burns, an English professor, and Brenda Sofer, the English department secretary who is now retired.
The book club meets eight times a year; four times in the spring and four times in the fall and held usually the first Thursday of the month.
On a regular basis, the club has about five to 10 attendees.
During this meeting, members discussed “Snow Flower and the Secret Fan” by Lisa See.
It is a book about women in 19th century China who spend their lives in seclusion with only a window to peer from and learn how to interact with the world.
The meeting was very informal; like friends talking about things they enjoy. The members talked about how the book relates to real life experiences.
People brought snacks and drinks for everyone to share.
According to Mary Jane Atkins, an English adjunct instructor, there is no set format for the book club. She described the book club as a “long tradition.”
Selected books are usually novels however members can suggest any book for the following semester. “There is no set format. It just rolls,” said Atkins.
She has been a member of the book club for years; so many years she could not remember exactly how many.
Sue Krimm, a computer science professor, is currently running the book club which was previously run by co-founder Karin Burns.
“This is the group without rules,” said Krimm.
Members are allowed to feel free to attend which ever month they desire. There is no commitment to attend every meeting.
The books are selected before the semester begins and a list is given to the members. They can then decide which books they would like to read and attend the meetings accordingly.
During this particular meeting, there were a total of eight members: seven women and one man.
Martin Shae, an adjuct English professor, tries to come every month.
Sue Krimm emphasized how the book club was not only for English professors.
It is composed of faculty and staff who share different expertise and a common interest in reading; everyone is welcomed.