Coffee Table Declarations
Tuesday, April 06, 2004
Last Thursday evening, I rushed through the inclement weather (wind-driven, downpouring rain) to the bookstore across the street for my first time at the book club. The door to the bookstore is set back a bit from the sidewalk so you can traverse the walkway without getting wet. I saw a rather prim looking, well... bookish type, standing near the door smoking a cigarette. As I approached the door in my fluster of nervousness and rain, I suddenly tripped over one of those yellow "CAUTION" signs which was lying down in front of the door. I caught my balance but I felt a little silly. "Oh my goodness!" I said to the smoking book worm, "isn't that funny? The sign says caution and I tripped on it!" She gave a slight nod, but I had a good laugh.
Perhaps due to the weather, only three other people had shown up for the book club. They told me there were usually around eight, still not quite a crowd. They were all middle-aged women. It's ironic to me how people always say that getting involved in something you're interested in is a great way to meet new people and the very things I'm interested in are populated by middle-aged women (water aerobics and the book club). I have no problem with meeting middle-aged women, in fact, I usually get along with them just fine, but I really wouldn't mind making some new friends my age.
During the brief time we discussed the book, I found a kindred spirit in one particularly enthusiastic woman. She had loved the book just as I had and in fact, was the one that recommended it for the book club. We conversed with excitment over our concern for the characters and our love for the story.
The time not spent talking about the book was spent discussing a vast range of topics from rain flooded basements to the issue of gay marriage. Some of the topics I found a little too boring (flooded basements) and some a little too controversial (gay marriage) to be discussing with perfect strangers, let alone middle-aged women strangers. However, we also had a fascinating conversation about the implications of The DaVinci Code.
Toward the end of the hour it came time to select a book for next month. Apparently they take turns and asked if I wanted it to be my turn. I have read so many great books, but of course, couldn't think of a single one being put on the spot like that. (Suggestions are welcome) I get to pick the following month's book.
They all said they were glad I came. I felt that I had some fairly insightful things to say as well as a delightful cup of chai tea so I'm going to return next month and see how I like it. On the way out I stepped over the caution sign and, having forgotten about it, started laughing all over again.
Perhaps due to the weather, only three other people had shown up for the book club. They told me there were usually around eight, still not quite a crowd. They were all middle-aged women. It's ironic to me how people always say that getting involved in something you're interested in is a great way to meet new people and the very things I'm interested in are populated by middle-aged women (water aerobics and the book club). I have no problem with meeting middle-aged women, in fact, I usually get along with them just fine, but I really wouldn't mind making some new friends my age.
During the brief time we discussed the book, I found a kindred spirit in one particularly enthusiastic woman. She had loved the book just as I had and in fact, was the one that recommended it for the book club. We conversed with excitment over our concern for the characters and our love for the story.
The time not spent talking about the book was spent discussing a vast range of topics from rain flooded basements to the issue of gay marriage. Some of the topics I found a little too boring (flooded basements) and some a little too controversial (gay marriage) to be discussing with perfect strangers, let alone middle-aged women strangers. However, we also had a fascinating conversation about the implications of The DaVinci Code.
Toward the end of the hour it came time to select a book for next month. Apparently they take turns and asked if I wanted it to be my turn. I have read so many great books, but of course, couldn't think of a single one being put on the spot like that. (Suggestions are welcome) I get to pick the following month's book.
They all said they were glad I came. I felt that I had some fairly insightful things to say as well as a delightful cup of chai tea so I'm going to return next month and see how I like it. On the way out I stepped over the caution sign and, having forgotten about it, started laughing all over again.
