We are Sisters With Books. We are located in Los Angeles California. Our group began in 1995. A group of black women mainly educators decided they wanted to discuss books after they've read them. On roll, we have 25, we average 15 to 20 every month. Sisters With Books consist of black women, ages 40's 50's 60's and 70's. We're high energy, love to debate and generous. The purpose of our reading club is sisterhood, and to read books written by black women. We have made exceptions: Leonard Pitts, Amy Tan, Daniel Black, and Guy Johnson.
BPM: Have you faced any challenges as a group? If so, what and how did you deal with them?
One of our original book club members, lost her only child in a horrific car accident. It was in the month of June, she had just retired from teaching, her anniversary week-end and Father's Day. We rallied around her. There are some books, that are just to difficult for our sister friend to handle. She has started attending book club again. This happened 3 years ago. We had a special meeting just to talk, it was therapeutic. This is an example of how our book club has served many purposes.
BPM: Do you post book reviews? How do you handle bad reviews or books that flopped?
Individuals have posted reviews. We give suggestions and identify what we didn't agree with. In 2011, Sisters With Books participated in DIGG INTO BOOKS web show, created by 4 Hearts Productions. It can be found on YouTube.
BPM: What type of books have generated the most interesting discussions?
The historical fiction "Wench" was the book we discussed on YouTube slavery vs enslaved. "Gathering of Waters" by Bernice McFadden, spirits, and so many of the women experienced spirits. "Before I Forget" by Leonard Pitts Jr., a Black man realizing he wasn't a good father.
BPM: What legacy will your club or blog leave for those watching in the community?
Sisters With Books' legacy will be black women coming together through adversity as well as celebrating each other.
Soul Sistahs Book Club was founded in 2011 by Kenya Ervin of Chattanooga, TN. Initially comprised of coworkers, membership has been extended to close family and friends that share a passion for books. Soul Sistahs Book Club's mission is to promote literacy and encourage sisterhood among women of all ages and backgrounds through the love of reading and lively conversations. Currently, we do not have officers assigned, but everyone comes together to get things done. We have five active members.
BPM: When accepting members into the group, what are you looking for in the person? Do you have an online version of the group?
When accepting members into the group, we explain all of our requirements in detail. We look for people that love to read and are willing to commit to attending meetings once per month. Over the years, it has been difficult for people to stay in the group due to their lack of commitment and participation. We do not offer an online version of the book club at this time but we do have dedicated Facebook and Twitter pages to interact with other readers and authors.
BPM: How do you make your book selections for the month? When do you select the books?
SSBC: When we started the book club, I would search online and best sellers lists to choose our book of the month. I would choose three books and allow my members to vote on the book they would like to read for the following month. Recently, I started a "Book Box". I allow my members to write names of books on a slip of paper and drop it into the box whenever they like. Each month, I draw from the box and that's what we will read. It's been very interesting so far.
Intimate Conversation with Shana Plummer Chapter Secretary of The Sweet Soul Sisters Book Club. Shana, how did your organization develop? How many members are in the group?
In October 2005, four ladies that enjoyed reading books by African American authors decided to change their causal conversation about the latest book into a formal monthly meeting. They named themselves The Sweet Soul Sisters Book Club. Over time, they opened these discussions to other friends and family and now The Sweet Soul Sisters Book Club has 9 members.
The primary mission of the book club is to broaden our literary experience by reading books written by authors of African American descent. Keeping abreast of the latest books and meeting the author that wrote them all while building life long relationships.
Ella: Ultimately, what do you want members to gain from your union?
First, we want our members to gain the desire to expand their literary choices. Since each member has a choice of a monthly selection it allows for a good variety. Second, we want our members to gain a connection. The Sweet Soul Sisters are more than just a book club, we are a family and we treat each other with sisterly love and respect.
Ella: Shana, what do you define as Quality Literature?
Quality Literature is piece of written work that has the ability to withstand time and be passed down through generations. This is a book that you would want to pass on to your children and your grandchildren. Quality Literature also has the ability to evoke emotion. It can provide you with a feeling of joy because of a happy ending or a tear because of sadness or sympathy. It draws you in and holds a place in your heart and memory.
I am Shabrika Mitchell, The Secretary/Treasurer of The BookWorm Diva's Book Club. We are The BookWorm Diva's which consists of Val Hinton as The President, Tamika Cloud as The Vice President, and I, myself, as The Secretary/Treasurer. The BookWorm Diva's Book Club is located in Newnan, Georgia. In March, 2010, Val, Tamika and I started the club because we all had an interest in reading. We now consist of 9 members.
Our name has its own special meaning each letter stands for something different. BOOKWORM DIVAS means Brilliant. Obedient. Observant. Kind. Women. Outstanding. Reliable. Mindful. Dedicated. Intelligent. Vibrant. Awesome. Sisterhood.
BPM: When accepting members into the group, what are you looking for in the person?
We are looking for a commitment and passion for reading and helping others. We have an Cyrus probation period before you become a member. Basically a trial period to see if your heart is really in it. We have a Facebook page which is open to the public.
BPM: How do you feel about attending book signings, literary festivals and events?
We love attending book signings, literary festivals, and author meet & greets. We enjoy hearing the authors reading from their books.
BPM: Do you host special events during the year or do you work for any charities?
Yes, we host several events yearly such as an Easter Egg Hunt, Family and Friends Day, Thanksgiving Dinner, and a Christmas Toy Drive. We sometimes do a girls night out or just hang out.
BPM: Do you have any words of wisdom for other readers starting a book club?
Yes, make sure everyone has love and passion for reading and set goals and achieve them. Also set rules for everyone to follow and it should help the club last a long time. We are 5 years and counting and we love it!!
U.S.G.I.R.L.S. Interview conducted by Founding Members: Karen Lewis, Jennie Blue, Valerie Jefferson and Ardee Harris. Unique, Sophisticated, Girlfriends Inspirational Reading and Literary Society, located in Jacksonville, Florida formed in October 2004.
It all began with an email from founding member, Karen Lewis, in September 2004 entitled: “Calling All Bookworms.” With the new phenomena of book clubs forming throughout the city, Karen visited several, with intentions of joining, but was not impressed with any of them. She called upon her friend, Jennie who was in another book club and her sister-in-law Ardee “Dee” to consider forming a book club. Jennie then called her friend, Valerie who was also in a book club at the time.
Karen hosted our first meeting in October of 2004. During this meeting, the four of us formed by-laws for our book club and gave suggestions for a name. We were nameless and simply referred to ourselves as “the book club” until 2007, when Karen came up with our clever name and acronym “U.S. G.I.R.L.S.” During the formation meeting we also agreed that we would not elect officers, and preferred to have the "Founding Members" designated as the governing body. We currently have nine active members.
We are all professional women of color; our youngest member in her early 40s. We have various undergraduate and graduate degrees, and possess strong, diverse personalities which always make for an interesting meeting. We enjoy debating and agreeing to disagree on various book discussion topics.
BPM: What legacy will your club or blog leave for those watching in the community?
Founding Members: As our mission statement says, our main focus is to bring attention to issues of interest to women of color, while encouraging and increasing an appreciation for literature. Over the years we have become more than a book club. We are not only “black women who read” but we are have also extended our involvement through book drives and other community outreach ventures. We feel that those watching in the community see us an active group of black women operating with a spirit of excellence in our endeavor to uplift, inspire, promote and encourage women both young and old, while building lifelong friendships and relationships. Website: http://usgirls04.wix.com/usgirls
Michelle Chavis is a native of Brooklyn, New York and now lives in Creedmoor, North Carolina. Michelle Chavis is the President of Victorious Ladies Reading Book Club. When she started reading novels it gave her a peace of mind and helped her relax. She has encouraged and helped others to also fall in love with reading. Recently Michelle has become a Total Life Changes (TLC) Representative. Her genuine, honest spirit allows people to feel comfortable talking her about anything. She has also been called a “Life Coach”. She is very passionate about helping people find their true purpose and becoming their best.
Victorious Ladies Reading is located in the Raleigh/Durham North Carolina area. God gave Lacha Mitchell the vision to start the book club, through that vision we started the Victorious Ladies Reading Book Club. We currently have 10 members. We are group of beautiful women, of all personalities, that mesh well together.
BPM: How do you make your book selections for the month?
When I first joined the group the President and Vice President alternated months and picked the books, we now take suggestions from the members. Yes we have read other books that was not the book of the month and had a call to discuss the book. We may post book covers and suggestions on our own Facebook post and share them.
BPM: Do you prefer to read books by authors of color? Do you borrow books from the library?
Yes, I prefer to read books by authors of color, but I will read others also. Yes, I support self published authors and I also borrow books from the library. To add to that, I give the library a list of AA authors and their books every quarter for them to add to their selection.
BPM: Do you have any words of wisdom for other readers starting a book club?
Communication is the key to every relationship, when you have that you will have a successful book club. Be passionate about your membership, participate as much as you can.