Answering the Question at Book Club: Why do you read?

Sitting in a circle doing what we love: read.

Around a new leather sofa, I sit in an inclusive circle with nearly twenty other women. This month’s book is on a tired marriage, and I can’t help but observe the ladies in my arc. Many are familiar faces, some new--but we all seem to get the boredom, disillusionment, and failed expectations of marriage. Regardless of what we thought as we said, ‘I do,’ tedium and disappointment are just part of the package.

We share our thoughts on the fictional couple, with an overall agreement we liked Dan, the husband, who ‘sometimes cooked,’ best. And although I don’t say it, internally I admit it—I’m more like Jane. The restless, anxious, this-is-my-one-and-only-life, who just wants a little more fun before it’s too late, character, Jane. I wait for someone to say the same thing. Many women came close.

Our book.

Someone asks if we like the book or not. “No!” A few women spit out, but most of us nod, “I did like it.” Some critique aspects of it. Some say they’d never read it on their own, but glad they did. One woman shares some of it as outlandish and unrealistic, but it’s just a story.

One comment invites me to think in a new way.

“Why did she have to throw in the bit about the environment at the end?” one woman says. “It’s not like necessary or part of the story, and I care about the environment, but I read for entertainment. I don’t need to think about our crazy world.”

A murmur of affirmation follows and my eyebrows raise. Of course we read for entertainment! That's like saying we eat for fuel or we dress to spare others from our naked bodies. But . . .why else? I can't help it but ask.

I hear 'escape' as a reason, for fun, but yeah. The overwhelming response. For entertainment. I want to press this further, but keep my mouth shut.

My grandson picks up a book and reads, though only can 'read' the pictures.

I think of my grandson, in his bed, sideways on the floor, or perched on the couch with a book. Close to reading words, he learns through the pictures. Why is dirt important? What is the lifecycle of a cloud? Why does Frog put up with crabby Toad, anyway?

A favorite book.

Does my grandson read for entertainment? Yes. Do I? Of course. But I think of other reasons my grandson and I read and recall my own couch days as a young girl and all the joy I received from experiencing other worlds, peoples, and ways of navigating the world. Through a pinhole, I felt the pain of others, fear of failure, and exhilaration of improbable success.

The air conditioner pops on, and in my plastic chair, I dig for my little black coverup. “Gol,” a woman says. “I didn’t even finish the book, but I’m so glad I came. I belong to this book club for the great conversation!”

The time has come, with the ring of women around the new leather couch breaking up. We drag our chairs into the rear of the store. Women gather in two’s and three’s, chatting and bonding over parts of their lives.

One woman, another writer, approaches me. “And why do you read, Brenda?” I smile, able to say to one person that I was too shy to say to the group.

“For escape and entertainment of course," I say, "But also, I read to become a better human.”

Her eyes light up. “I like that.” Then she nods. “Yeah. I think I read for that reason, too.”

And why do you read? Have you ever verbalized it out loud?

Please do, and don't be shy.

And keep on reading