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Sincerely,
Russell Keppner
TJEd.org Administrator
book discussion
I haven't found other TJED people in my community, so I've been hosting book discussions in my home. Now, I've been reading a lot for many years, so I already have a list of books I think are worth discussing. When I decided to have people read and discuss with me, I decided on the books, the location, the snacks, everything. This book discussion belongs to me.
I discovered that when I asked others if they were interested, many people were, but only a couple people were willing to do the work to read first and then come and discuss it. Which turned out to be a good thing: we only had three adults for the first discussions, myself and two others. We learned a lot about each other and about the readings we were doing.
I tried to interest other people outside my immediate community (I'm in a small branch or congregation--about 30 people total). But I found that the ones who were interested in reading and discussing books weren't looking for the same things I was looking for in books. Some wanted to read only New York Times bestsellers; some wanted to read romances or political books or new books or whatever their current hobbies are. I wanted classics and I wanted to read them with an eye to learning more about how the world works, how it should work, and what I can do about it. It seemed that I was reading for constructive purposes and most people I talked to were reading for entertainment or to further their own agendas. Now, I have an agenda. I have my own intentions in learning; my current focus is on communities and how to improve their function. I needed to keep ownership of the group so that it would further my education and by extension, the educations of those who joined.
Now I've been discussing for about three and a half years. The group has changed; we have a total of six people involved counting myself. It has been very good for me, a real learning experience. I've had to allow for illness or other interruption at least twice a year (once each semester), and I don't try to hold discussions in the summer. I suggest you start small, with a secure location that you can count on getting access to (I use my own living room), choose the books in advance and stick to your choices unless someone who is committed to attending can give you solid reasons for changing. Don't try to meet too often; we started with once a month for a couple years, then went to once a week after I got into the habit of making this reading my "homework", consistently read in advance. Right now I have two discussions going, one for youth and adults and one just for adults; one meets three weeks a month and the adult session meets once a month.
Don't get hung up on whether it's selfish to insist on these books. If someone else wants to read another book and discuss it, they're welcome to set up their own discussions. You stick to what you've decided on and prayed about. And hold yourself to it, even when you can't get anyone to discuss with you. In that case it will help you to journal about what you read, or create art that expresses your feelings about it.
There are online discussions that have helped me a lot. I first started going to discussions of general TJED topics, and then after several years I felt committed and ready to attend an online classics discussion that has lasted three years. Start from where you are, and don't try to run before you can walk.
As far as what to discuss, truthfully that's never been a problem for me. If you've taught Relief Society or Sunday School you've heard how the experiences and insights of other people add to the lesson. Consider the book you're discussing as the text, and talk about what it meant to you. Ask others what it gave them. Listen and comment. Try to keep the discussion open, without condemning anyone's ideas. You lead the discussion or you assign someone to lead who will allow all to speak. Don't stress over touching on everything in the book or the excerpt you're discussing. The point of a classic is that there's more in there than you could learn in one reading...
I suppose it could happen that you might have more people committed to reading and discussing than can conveniently discuss in one group. In that case you may have to limit to what you personally can attend, or you may need to find someone to lead another discussion. I don't know how well that would work, because you would need another leader who is firmly committed to reading and discussing.
Reading list
You mentioned that you had list of books that are worthy of discussing. The only lists that I have are the classics mentioned in the Thomas Jefferson Education book. Do you have any suggestions for books that would be an easy start- or easy to discuss, and worthy? Also, when you 'host' a discussion, do you have questions or topics in the book that you touch on or do you just 'wing it'?
start with what you've read
I know the books in the back of _A Thomas Jefferson Education_ are good books, and many people find them classic. Some of them I've read, I own and love. Some of them I haven't read and some of them I don't consider classic enough to own, but as a list to start with, they're good. The thing is, you decide what is classic to you. I can't make that determination.
As an example, my 18yo son thinks the movie, Avatar, the one with blue people, is classic. I've seen it, and while I think it's very good, very well done, it's not as classic to me because I've already read about that scenario or others very much like it in other books and movies. It doesn't move me as much as it does him. I've already learned it.
For this reason I can't recommend what you should read next; I don't know you well enough and I don't know what your mission in life is. I do know how to find out; pray about it, be open to possibilities, and start reading what's available now. Decide for yourself what's classic. Your standards will change over time; that's normal. Your needs will change, too. I'm currently weeding out many of my books, because owning them and reading them (in some cases reading only a few pages in each) has served its purpose.
I do encourage you to read and discuss _A Thomas Jefferson Education_ itself, with your husband, with a friend, with someone online. The whole notion of training ourselves and our children takes getting used to. But, you know, no one else can do it. I'm responsible for my own learning.
about hosting a discussion
What moved you in the book? Did it teach you something? What did you learn? What do you disagree with in the book? How does this book affect how you live your life?
There's no set list of questions, just as there are no set answers. You discuss the meaning the book has to you, you listen to what meaning it has for others, and you discuss how it applies in your lives. If you find that it doesn't apply to your life, why doesn't it and what would you change about it?
The important thing is Not to "get the right answer". The important thing is to get the book into you.
It helps me to discuss
It helps me to discuss what I'm reading with another person. In the case of Pride and Prejudice, there is a lot to discuss, starting with the relationships just within their family. I found the first chapter hilariously funny because I could feel Mr. Bennet's teasing his wife and she taking him seriously, which was even more funny. But it does not continue to be so wry on every page, and I can see how you might bog down in it.
Do you know people like the characters in the book? Can you think of examples of social behavior in your own life that are similar to those in the book?
I was horrified at how shallow and snooty the Bingley sisters were; I would not stay with them if I had a choice.
If after considering, the book does not flow for you, try something else. It may be that you will come back to it later.
You mentioned reading the books recommended in the back of _A Thomas Jefferson Education_. Those are good books and reading them and seriously considering what's in them is commendable. But they aren't the only classics you could start with. Your own core classic has a prior claim (my core is scriptures), and the writings of sages in your lines of thought (mine would be called prophets, but still the writings I mean would be inspired and inspiring). I have felt for many years that God has led me to those yardsales that had books I needed to read, particularly when I couldn't afford to buy new and couldn't get to a library.
One thing I haven't done
Discussing the books I read with others is something I haven't done yet. I am trying to get a book club started in my church, and have one sister who is interested. I read my scriptures on a daily basis, and also read talks in the Ensign and General Conferences- which always make you want to be a better person and try a little harder. I guess the next step for me would be to read the book along with someone else and discuss it- which is going to be totally new to me.
Now how often do we discuss the book? After we have read it? Are there some questions we should keep in mind while we are reading it, and just write down some idea as we go? I have always just read through a book and enjoyed it but never gave it much thought. That is something I will have to work on- so any ideas, I've never been in a book club either. (I have just recently fell in love with reading good books.)
taking notes
I have good recall, and so apart from journaling my feelings about a book, I don't usually take notes. But many people do take notes and eventually write essays about what they learned and felt. You can use a hi-liter, you can write in the margins, you can write on another piece of paper and use it as a bookmark. I keep a spiral notebook because I write large and when I write I write a lot... can you tell I write? :D
Whether you keep your notes or not is up to you. Sometimes I can look at past notes and be reminded of what I learned, but often I never look at them again. The simple act of taking notes helps me remember people's talks better.