Recently started by the Washington-Centerville Public Library, the Uncorked book club meets the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Rumbleseat Wine at 5853 Far Hills Ave., Kettering.
Library reference specialist Mandy Shannon said the group has a simple, low-key format. There are no sign-ups or reservations required. Each month, the club meets to chat about debut fiction that is “out of the mainstream,” she said.
“We focus on new authors who otherwise aren’t getting a lot of press or attention, but who are producing works that are thought-provoking, yet quirky and fun,” she said.
“Uncorked is an informal, relaxed book club,” Shannon says. “We started it because we realized there was a need for a book club that could meet after library hours.”
So far, Uncorked has discussed “The Family Fang” by Kevin Wilson. It’s a book about siblings who as adults reunite with their sometimes-wacky artist parents.
The group also has discussed “Bed ”by David Whitehouse, which has been described as reminiscent of “A Confederacy of Dunces.”
“We had such a positive response to our first two Uncorked meetings and discussions,” Shannon adds. “It’s gratifying to hear participants say that these are books they would not have normally read or discussed, but that they’re glad they did.
The discussions are informal by design. We want this to be an experience people look forward to,” Shannon says.
Discussions begin with quick introductions, followed by a simple question: Did you like the book?
“That can be enough to kick-start a full discussion, although I do keep a list of discussion questions handy just in case our conversation lags,” she said.
“But so far we’ve found that conversation about the books grows from a few opening questions into a discussion with a life of its own. Of course, participants are welcome to simply listen in on the conversation as well.”
The setting adds to the relaxed, no-pressure book club. “We provide cheese and crackers to go with the wine which participants might want to purchase. Our collaboration with Rumbleseat has been good,” Shannon says.
The next Uncorked gathering at Rumbleseat is at 7 p.m. June 4. The book to be discussed is “Taft 2012” by Jason Heller, a social satire that imagines President William Howard Taft hurtling forward in time to 2012 and running for president.
“This isn’t a political novel, but rather one that examines the impact society can have on one person, and vice-versa,” explains Shannon.
The Washington-Centerville Public Library can reserve copies of selected titles for readers from its own collection and through inter-library loans from other libraries.
In addition to Uncorked, the library continues to sponsor the Page Turners book club, which meets the third Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. in the Dorothy R. Yeck conference room at the Woodbourne location of the Washington-Centerville Public Library.
The library also holds the Afterwords discussion every Monday at 7 p.m. on its Facebook page. Participants simply share comments about books they’ve recently read.
“I simply post a Facebook comment — ‘what are you reading?’ — and the virtual discussion begins, with participants typing in comments. It’s a fun way to find new books to enjoy,” Shannon says.
“I learned of a wonderful children’s book, “The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making” (by Catherynne M. Valenti) through this discussion, read it, loved it, and was able to recommend it to other patrons.”
Learn more about these book clubs online at
or at www.wclibrary.info/bookdiscussion.
Sharon Short is the author of the novel “My One Square Inch of Alaska,” to be published by Penguin Plume in 2013, and the director of the Antioch Writers’ Workshop. Contact Sharon at www.sharonshort.com or email sharonshort@sharonshort.com.
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