For the women of The Red Tent Book Club, reading is more fun when it is shared with others. They read a book a month from January through November, followed by a Christmas get-together where they plan for the next year.
Lolly Bower has been a member for 22 years.
“It’s developed into a community of friends,” she said. “It’s a joy to be in that gathering.”
Retired teacher Jean Belke has been a member for six years.
“When I retired it was on my bucket list to join a book club,” she said.
They meet at somebody’s home to discuss the month’s book, which is usually selected by someone who has already read it and recommends it.
“We try to pick books in paperback so they don’t cost too much and are not terribly lengthy,” Belke said.
They can also get the books at the library.
Two facilitators at each meeting keep the conversation going, whether there is agreement or disagreement. The opinion of every member is respected, and they can agree to disagree.
Different genres are selected, including biographies, historical fiction, classics and mysteries.
The book for June was “The Girls of Atomic City,” a historical fiction novel set in Oakridge, Tennessee, about five women who refined plutonium to build the atomic bomb.
Matty Mathison has been a member for 15 years. She said the club has changed from when it first started, when the hostess for each meeting prepared a meal. Now they have light snacks and dessert.
“We spend a lot more time discussing the book,” Mathison said. “People are more willing to host.”
Mathison and Bower said they have read books in the club that they might not have read on their own.
“We try to vary the kinds of books we read,” Mathison said.
The women chose the club’s name from a book they read: “The Red Tent,” which was about relationships among women and the ties that hold them together.
“We liked the title so much we adopted it for our name,” Bower said.
In December, they don’t discuss a book. They meet at Mathison’s home, where she has an 18-foot Christmas tree that takes her three days to decorate, and, instead of exchanging gifts, donate money to a local charity or program. Last year they donated to Shawano Area Mathew 25, a community organization battling poverty and homelessness.
They also plan for next year at the December meeting, voting on which books they want to read from those that have been suggested.
The club also has sponsored two Little Free Libraries.
The club meets in the evening on the day picked by the meeting’s hostess. For information, call Mathison at 715-304-9796.
