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The Council of Lafayette Women (CLW) has launched an online book club open to alumni, students, faculty, and staff, as well as those outside the Lafayette community.
“Understanding the time demands in life and the expansiveness of the community, it seemed that providing a book discussion online would allow for many of the benefits of a book club while also giving participants the opportunity to get involved when it was convenient for them,” says Beth Nelson ’96, CLW executive director.
A different book is featured on the 15th of each month. A brief synopsis of the story and five questions to begin discussion are provided. Books are chosen based on recommendations from faculty and CLW members. Also considered are the month in which the book will be discussed and ensuring that a variety of themes, styles of writing, and overall moods are encountered.
“For instance, Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult, a book that addresses issues of gender and religion, is being discussed in March [Women’s History Month, Easter] and April [Passover],” Nelson says. “Additionally, we wanted to pick one book that was going to be an assignment for students in one of the spring classes. The hope is to have a joint faculty, student, and alumni discussion on campus.”
The main goals of the club are to participate in intellectual and insightful conversation around a shared experience, to connect the Lafayette community with the College and one another, and to explore issues that affect women (and others) through novels. The book club has been announced through the Marquis Mailer and mailings to those who attended the March 2003 CLW conference. However, everyone is welcome to participate, and CLW encourages people to pass the word to others, regardless of gender or affiliation with the College.
The club began in January with Bel Canto by Ann Pratchett. Discussion of Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi will continue for another week before the group starts The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. Keeping Faith by Jodi Picoult will be featured April 15-May 14 and discussion of Tara Road by Maeve Binchy will run May 15-June 14.
Nelson says discussion of each book remains in the forum after a new book has begun, so participants should not feel pressured by the dates. Registration, a username, and a password are needed to begin. To start, visit the alumni web site, then under Alumni Relations on the right, choose Council of Lafayette Women.