SHARING A GOOD READ

Reading a book and discussing it with peers doesn't have to be limited to a classroom.

Several book clubs around the area offer adults who enjoy being well-read options beyond hanging around high school English classes.

Marylin Hutchings' group, which meets at the Cape Girardeau Public Library, owes its origin to poetry.

"About two years ago, we started a poetry discussion group," said Hutchings. "We had some meetings, but there were people who wanted to do more. Then someone suggested a book club."

The club has been meeting approximately once every two months since last September, she said. During the next book club, which will be the last Thursday in May, the seven or so regulars will be discussing "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil."

"It's pretty laid back on what we read," Hutchings said. "We try to pick something that will lend itself to good discussion."

Not every book that is good to read is good to talk about, she said. Such books banned from the club would have shallow characters and a weak plot.

A book club that has been meeting at St. Mary's Cathedral for almost a year got its start from a book.

"When people started expressing interest in one, I went to the library and checked out some books on book clubs," said Ellen Shuck, director of religious education at St. Mary's.

So far, about 15 come and share a monthly dessert at the church and thoughts on books like "Tuesdays with Maury," "Cider House Rules" and "Liar's Club."

Few enjoyed the latter book, written by Mary Karr.

"It got a mixed reaction," Shuck said. "People didn't like the language."

The first book the club read, "At Home in Milford" by Jan Karon, has been everyone's favorite, she said. It places a minister in a small, quaint town where everyone knows everyone else's business, Shuck said.

"Everyone could relate," she said. "It was kind of like Mayberry."

Perhaps the longest standing book club meets at Barnes & Noble. About seven meet at 3 p.m. one Sunday each month, Bernice Springer said.

"We try and choose a Sunday when the most people can show up, but the time stays the same," said Springer, a member of the "Eclectic Readers."

The group got its start from Springer's daughter.

"She pestered Barnes & Noble about a club, and finally enough others did so they started one," Springer said.

The club's book selections reflect its name: "Moby Dick," "Fahrenheit 451," "Animal Dreams."

Every third month, the group selects a reading list for the next three or four months, Springer said. Typically, the club's current book will be displayed at the front of the store along with staff favorites, she said.

Usually the club meets in the cafe area, but when it's crowded they find another spot in the store.

"It's not terribly well organized, but somehow we manage to get together," she said.

AREA BOOK CLUBS

St. Mary's Cathedral

-Meets one Thursday night each month at the church. Dates may vary. Call the church at 335-9347 for more information.

Barnes & Noble Booksellers

-Sponsors the Eclectic Readers book club, which meets at 3 p.m. one Sunday each month at the bookstore. Dates may vary. Call the bookstore at 334-2996 for more information.

Southeast Missouri State University

-- The Literary Readers Guild meets once a month at the University Center in the University Room. The next meeting will be at 2 p.m. on April 22. Call Ben Foster at 651-2151 for more information.

Cape Girardeau Central High School

--Meets at 3 p.m. once a month at the high school. Dates may vary. Call Julia Jorgensen at 335-8228 for more information.

Jackson library

--Meets at 4 p.m. on the last Sunday of the month at the library. Call Sally Pierce at 243-5150 for more information.

Cape Girardeau library

-Meets at 7 p.m. on the last Thursday of the month at the library. The next meeting will be May 25. Call Marylin Hutchings at 334-5279 for more information.