Book club bliss

I've wanted to be in a book club for years, but have never been able to find one that reads children's literature. I finally stopped looking and started a book club myself.

We've had a few meetings so far, and it's been pure heaven. The DC Children's Literature Bookclub (DC Kidlit for short) is a terrific mixture of children's librarians, teachers, library school grad students, bloggers, authors and parents. The meetings have been insightful, thought provoking and a lot of fun. It's wonderful to be able to have in-depth conversations about good books with fellow children's book lovers.

If you live in the Washington DC area, (or are in town for a visit) you're welcome to join us. We read a book from a different genre each month. All meetings are on Sunday afternoons at 3 p.m. at the La Madeleine Bakery in Tysons Corner, Virginia.

Here's the upcoming reading list and schedule:

• May 4- Early chapter book: The Talented Clementine by Sara Pennypacker
• June 1- Juvenile fiction: The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
• July 13- Non-fiction: We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson
• September 7- Poetry: This is Just to Say: Poems of Apology and Forgiveness by Joyce Sidman
  

If you'd like to join the bookclub and vote on upcoming selections, e-mail me at: wizardwireless [at] gmail [dot] com, and I'll be happy to add you to the group's listserv.

Book clubs

You may have noticed I have a poll on the sidebar asking if you've ever been if a book club. Why?

I've always wanted to be in a book club. I love talking about books. I'm currently in library school and it's fabulous to discuss children's books with so many intelligent, literary people. I'd love to do it more regularly (and without having to write papers).

But, I've never been able to find a book club that reads books I'm interested in. 99% of them seem to discuss adult books. And, sure, there are lots of wonderful adult books, but currently for work, school and pleasure, and as a parent; my interest is in children's literature. (See my confession about no longer reading books for adults).

What to do? After years of searching, I've finally decided to start my own book club. If you're in the D.C. area (including Maryland, Virgina and Washington D.C.) and you're interested in children's literature, I'd love to have you join. There's a different genre every month (young adult, mystery, picture books, etc.) and the meetings are designed so that you can come to as few or as many as you like. So, if we're discussing a book you want to read, and the time works for you, you can come to just that meeting.

Do you have any book or genre suggestions? Practical advice? Do you live in the DC area and you'd like to join? Leave a note in the comments or e-mail me at wizardwireless [at] gmail [dot] com.