The first day of book club, I remember settling into the couch at the front of the store, tea and a cookie in hand, feeling a surge of excitement but also not being sure of what to expect. Holly quickly set the tone by opening our discussion with a rule, an invitation, and a simple challenge.
THE RULE // Shame has no place here.
Reading books that connect us to the larger context behind made’s mission can uncover some ugly things—in our culture at large and often in our own habits and practices. By showing shame the door, you are given the freedom to wrestle with the information you encounter more authentically. Throughout my book club experience, I was able to admit my shortcomings, my ignorance, my laziness—all without judgment from my peers. I also shared my triumphs, but it’s easier to do that.
The no-shame rule helped me feel safe and welcome to share exactly where I was at. It acknowledges that everyone is on a journey and that everyone has a place at the table.
THE INVITATION // Let’s do better together.
The true magic of book club, for me, came through the community that our weekly meeting fostered. There’s something special about reading through a challenging book with a group. As we worked through the book together, I got to know my fellow book club members. Our differences in age, in background, in interests were starkly apparent, but so too was how connected we are to each other. We learned from each other’s weaknesses and each other’s strengths, and we were able to encourage each other in ways I didn’t expect.
Education pushes us along on the journey; community helps us stay the course.
THE CHALLENGE // Decide on one concrete step you’ll take to live out what you’ve learned.
As someone who considers herself a perpetual student and lover of knowledge, I can often live in the world of the theoretical. This call to action helped me ground the many lessons I learned in book club in reality. At our final meeting, the personal applications we shared were shockingly simple.
It was a beautiful reminder that big changes can happen in the mundane.
Stay tuned for information regarding our fall book clubs!