Book Talk

Writers are often advised to read.  Read voraciously.  Read all genres.  Read.  I have always been a reader for as far back as I can remember.  Reading on your own is fine but another dimension and depth is added if you participate in an organized reading group.  Our group resumes meeting next week and I can’t wait.

For about 10 years I have been a member of the Tuesday Book Talk group.  The class is made available through the UW Madison Department of Continuing Education.  The class meets in 6-10 week sessions in the winter and fall.  A recent six part series is only $60.00.  Most of the classes are lead by Dr. Emily Auerbach a full professor at the University of Wisconsin English Department and a recognized Jane Austen scholar.  Some classes are led by her colleague Marshall Cook, a retired Journalism instructor with over 30 published books to his credit both fiction and non-fiction.

Each session has a theme, this winter it’s ‘Unhappily Ever After” and we’re reading Henry James, Portrait of a Lady; Dorothy West, the Living is Easy; and, John Updike, Rabbit Run.    The theme of the next session is ‘200 Years of Pride and Prejudice’ and we’re reading Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice; and P.D. James, Death Comes to Pemberley.

As you might imagine I am an enthusiastic and frequent contributor to class discussion.  I find that I learn a great deal at each class.  I am always amazed at the insight and perspective others in our group share.  It is a joy.