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People really love to discuss books they've read and enjoyed, according to library director Ann Zydek.
"I have a great interest in really discussing the books that are popular," Zydek said.
This is why Zydek decided to organize book discussion groups this fall. The first discussion will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 25 in Meeting Room A/B of the Warsaw Community Public Library.
The discussion will be on the "Left Behind" series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins and will include such aspects of the series as the main characters, the writing style and other facts about the title. According to Zydek, this series is very popular. She said every time she checks the reserve desk, these books are on the list.
Zydek requires that anyone attending the discussion read at least the first book in the series. This is sort of a trial discussion to see what the turnout is. There will even be a door prize at the end of the discussion. Zydek will find a hardcover copy of the latest "Left Behind" book to give away to one member of the discussion.
Zydek also said if enough people show up, they can break into smaller groups so everyone has a chance to share his or her ideas.
"If it goes well I'm going to try to keep on with it," Zydek said of the discussion. She also said if things go well the discussion group has the potential to become a book club.
Zydek first got the idea to start the discussion group when she attended the Public Library Association's preconference workshop on reader's advisory. Zydek said reader's advisory is the art of helping readers find materials that are of interest to them and that may be new to them, but are keeping with their likes.
Zydek said she made a personal goal to become more involved in reader's advisory at WCPL. When she noticed that the "Left Behind" books are always on the reserve list she decided to organize a group for people to discuss why they like the books so much.
The next series to be discussed will be the Harry Potter books. This discussion is scheduled for Oct. 16. After that the next discussion won't be until February.
Zydek is hoping to add different kinds of genres in the discussions. She will know by Nov. 1 what the spring series discussion will be. She thinks Nov. 1 will be enough notice for people to start reading.
For more information, please call the Community Services Department at the library at 267-6011, Ext. 332.
