Fiction_L Archives Senior Citizen Book Discussion Group Dates: 4/17/01,3:58 PM  through  4/19/01,8:49 AM  (9 postings) Search for: Select one or more indexes to search: 2011-current     2009-2010     2004-2008    1995-2003    (Matches from each index will be displayed separately in the results page.) Return to April 2001 thread menu   |   Fiction_L Archives Menu

FROM: Jane Genzel <[removed]@ci.muskego.wi.us>
REC'D: 4/17/01, 3:58 PM

We have two book discussion groups for senior citizens at our
library. The seniors are very adamant that they want to read "new" fiction
but, when we can get enough large print copies of newer fiction, they
strongly disapprove of the language, sex, violence and adult situations
found in much of today's fiction. In any event, my question to the list is
to ask if anyone will please share their experience with senior book groups.
I'm having a terrible time getting discussions going about the books we read
(most are not offensive to most members). I ask questions to invite
discussion, often with little success. It appears that many of the readers
either just want to listen, don't understand or care about the questions or
comments, or ? Please help with your ideas so that I can better serve these
groups. What sort of questions have worked for you? Is there a way to
encourage participation and response from the group? Thank you in advance.
Any help you may offer would be most gratefully received.

Jane Genzel, Librarian
[removed]@ci.muskego.wi.us

FROM: "Beth Albertini" <[removed]@mclinc.org>
REC'D: 4/17/01, 4:21 PM

Jane,

I run a book group (sponsored by the library) at our senior center. My group
is very willing to talk (but not necessarily about the book!) and staying on
topic is often difficult. Something in the book will lead to a vacation
story, or something about a grandchild, or just about anything! I pass out a
reading guide (if I can find one) with the books. Most of them will look at
the questions before coming to the group, or they'll bring it with them to
the meeting. Once we've gotten past the "Did you like the book or not? Why?"
stage, if the talk seems to lag, I'll refer to the guide. Usually, at least
one of them will have made notes, and that's usually enough to keep the
conversation going. I've had several of them tell me that I'm too nice and
let the conversation drift too much, so I'm working on being more forceful
with them.

Hope this helps! I'll be interested to read other responses on this thread.

--------------------------------------------
Beth Albertini
Upper Dublin Public Library
[removed]@mclinc.org

FROM: "Virginia S. Humphrey" <[removed]@sals.edu>
REC'D: 4/17/01, 7:23 PM

Jane-
Maybe you're expecting them to be too intellectual. They certainly
seem able to articulate whether they dislike something. You could just
ask them what they liked or disliked about a book. Forget all the
English class talk like what the main theme is, what symbolizes what,
etc. Maybe they're a bit intimidated by a too formal, too academic
atmosphere? Va. Humphrey

FROM: JCURTIN <[removed]@cuyahoga.lib.oh.us>
REC'D: 4/18/01, 11:21 AM

Hi Jane,

Maybe we have the same patrons? <G>

I have noticed those problems with Senior Groups, as well. They want to be
current, but they don't care to read books dealing with social issues, or
with the younger generation. And they are very sensitive to language, sex,
and violence.

I try to choose books that keep those issues to a minimum; avoiding them
altogether is nearly impossible. Historical fiction, non-fiction, and
mysteries tend to be less explicit and more palateable than literary
fiction.

When discussing the books, it helps if you can bring out points that relate
to the members own lives, rather than questions about themes, symbolism,
etc. Books that highlight local history and geography also seem to be things
that seniors relate to well.

Hope this helps,

Joan Curtin

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: Senior Citizen Book Discussion Group
From: "Jane Genzel" <[removed]@ci.muskego.wi.us>
Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 13:57:41 -0500

We have two book discussion groups for senior citizens at our
library. The seniors are very adamant that they want to read "new" fiction
but, when we can get enough large print copies of newer fiction, they
strongly disapprove of the language, sex, violence and adult situations
found in much of today's fiction. In any event, my question to the list is
to ask if anyone will please share their experience with senior book groups.
I'm having a terrible time getting discussions going about the books we read
(most are not offensive to most members). I ask questions to invite
discussion, often with little success. It appears that many of the readers
either just want to listen, don't understand or care about the questions or
comments, or ? Please help with your ideas so that I can better serve these
groups. What sort of questions have worked for you? Is there a way to
encourage participation and response from the group? Thank you in advance.
Any help you may offer would be most gratefully received.

Jane Genzel, Librarian
[removed]@ci.muskego.wi.us


-

FROM: "Mary Rindfleisch" <[removed]@biblio.org>
REC'D: 4/18/01, 2:34 PM

I facilitate one of our book groups (I hesitate to say "lead" because it is
really more like herding cats sometimes than being an authority figure),
which is not officially a senior group. However, because it meets on a
weekday morning, the attendees tend to all be retirees (average age is
probably 65). Granted, this is an overwhelmingly well-educated, generally
upper middle class, still very active group, which may make them different
from some other gatherings of senior citizens. These folks don't seem to
have any problem finding something to talk about, but I can see the
generational differences in what they like and how they respond. They tend
quite definitely to not want to discuss any gay themes at all (difficult in
a book like _Memoirs of Hadrian_) and to have a resistance to some of the
politically correct preconceptions I imbued in school (they thought the idea
that _Heart of Darkness_ might be objected to on grounds of racism
absolutely preposterous). We had a very interesting discussion just this
morning on _Catcher in the Rye_. This was actually suggested by one of the
group and received the largest number of votes of any book on our ballot for
this half-year. The discussion was extremely lively, but what was most
interesting to me was how much of the response came from the perspective of
parents (we are all so used to Holden Caulfield as a cult figure for
alienated teens). While some of them objected to some of the language, they
almost all felt immense sympathy for Holden, almost as if he were their own
child. The discussion was much more about family dynamics than about
rebellion, with some concern about whether the book presented an inspiring
model for teens or was more likely to do harm. _Catcher_ is so often billed
as a YA classic and an inevitable part of the high school curriculum, it was
really a refreshing change to see it dealt with more as a parenting case
study!

By the way, the group wondered if there were any one more recent book which
could be considered the equivalent for later generations of teens. I
couldn't come up with any one title off the top of my head which really had
the same impact. Any suggestions?

Mary Rindfleisch
Adult Services/Readers' Advisory Librarian
Ridgefield Library
472 Main St.
Ridgefield, CT 06877
Phone: 203-438-2282
e-mail: [removed]@biblio.org

-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
[[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]On Behalf Of JCURTIN
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2001 12:17 PM
To: Fiction_L
Subject: RE: Senior Book Discussion Groups


Hi Jane,

Maybe we have the same patrons? <G>

I have noticed those problems with Senior Groups, as well. They want to be
current, but they don't care to read books dealing with social issues, or
with the younger generation. And they are very sensitive to language, sex,
and violence.

I try to choose books that keep those issues to a minimum; avoiding them
altogether is nearly impossible. Historical fiction, non-fiction, and
mysteries tend to be less explicit and more palateable than literary
fiction.

When discussing the books, it helps if you can bring out points that relate
to the members own lives, rather than questions about themes, symbolism,
etc. Books that highlight local history and geography also seem to be things
that seniors relate to well.

Hope this helps,

Joan Curtin

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: Senior Citizen Book Discussion Group
From: "Jane Genzel" <[removed]@ci.muskego.wi.us>
Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 13:57:41 -0500

We have two book discussion groups for senior citizens at our
library. The seniors are very adamant that they want to read "new" fiction
but, when we can get enough large print copies of newer fiction, they
strongly disapprove of the language, sex, violence and adult situations
found in much of today's fiction. In any event, my question to the list is
to ask if anyone will please share their experience with senior book groups.
I'm having a terrible time getting discussions going about the books we read
(most are not offensive to most members). I ask questions to invite
discussion, often with little success. It appears that many of the readers
either just want to listen, don't understand or care about the questions or
comments, or ? Please help with your ideas so that I can better serve these
groups. What sort of questions have worked for you? Is there a way to
encourage participation and response from the group? Thank you in advance.
Any help you may offer would be most gratefully received.

Jane Genzel, Librarian
[removed]@ci.muskego.wi.us


-

FROM: "Ann Harris" <[removed]@midyork.lib.ny.us>
REC'D: 4/18/01, 2:55 PM

Jane,
This may be a case where you want to do a little "group bonding" at the
beginning of each discussion. One suggestion is to pass out small candies
that they hold in their hands. Then have each member tell as many things
about themselves or about the book as candies they took. Let them be a
little silly. Feeling comfortable and safe in the group is important.
Also, this may be a group where you may want to use more structure, as in
prepared questions that you distribute ahead of time. That way, when the
conversation goes off topic, you can always say something like "Let's see,
which question were we on?"
Do you think they might be interested in a biography, followed by a
fiction book the next time? Maybe a series of books around a time in
history in which they are interested. Start with the biography and then the
next month branch out into a novel about that time period. Maybe then they
would be able to put the books and characters in context.
There is a book discussion group on the AARP web site. Perhaps you could
ask members of your group to look with you to see what they have read and
see if it interests them.
Just some ideas...good luck with your groups!

Ann Harris
Outreach Consultant
Mid-York Library System
Utica, NY 13502
(315) 735-8331, ext. 233


We have two book discussion groups for senior citizens at our
library. The seniors are very adamant that they want to read "new" fiction
but, when we can get enough large print copies of newer fiction, they
strongly disapprove of the language, sex, violence and adult situations
found in much of today's fiction. In any event, my question to the list is
to ask if anyone will please share their experience with senior book groups.
I'm having a terrible time getting discussions going about the books we read
(most are not offensive to most members). I ask questions to invite
discussion, often with little success. It appears that many of the readers
either just want to listen, don't understand or care about the questions or
comments, or ? Please help with your ideas so that I can better serve these
groups. What sort of questions have worked for you? Is there a way to
encourage participation and response from the group? Thank you in advance.
Any help you may offer would be most gratefully received.

Jane Genzel, Librarian
[removed]@ci.muskego.wi.us

FROM: Carol Elmore <[removed]@westga.edu>
REC'D: 4/18/01, 3:48 PM

This is a little off the subject, but I wanted to share something that has
worked well with our senior groups.
We have a series of books entitled "This Fabulous Century" each book deals
with one decade. I have built a series of once a month programs using
these books.
I start with 1900-1909 and work though the century. I use photographs on
poster board that can be passed around for the important events of the
decade and I usually have something fun for them to look at or keep - for
the 70s I gave them all pet rocks!
The thing most amazing about the programs is the participation in the
discussion. They all have memories or stories and I enjoy hearing what
they have to say.
I do involve books, such as authors of the period...one month I read a
poem by Frost and one by Sandburg to constrast the styles.
I now do the programs at three different senior sites and it truly is the
most enjoyable thing I do as part of my job! They call me "The Library
Lady!"
Carole Elmore
Newnan-Coweta Public Library

FROM: Hedy Hustedde <[removed]@libby.rbls.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 4/18/01, 5:43 PM

Mary, my German American Heritage Center book discussion group discussed
CRAZY by Benjamin Lebert last night and that author was influenced by
CATCHER IN THE RYE. It's been SUCH a long time since I read CATCHER that
I can't really compare. It must be taken into consideration, however,
that Lebert was 16 when CRAZY was published and Salinger was 32 when
CATCHER was published. Lebert's life experiences and writing skill have a
way to go, but what an auspicious start, I'd say! His book's being
translated into more than 20 languages and is being made into a movie in
Germany this summer.

If you read it, take into account the author's age
and that he's German not American. He does make many references to
American authors (from Ernest Hemingway to Stephen King) and English
language singers (from ABBA to The Rolling Stones to Michael Jackson).

I admired the protagonist's sensitivity to others which made him
vulnerable and somewhat heroic at the same time. It seems like a simple
book, but when a bunch of adults start discussing it, it becomes as
complex as any teenager coming-of-age.

There's a sex scene and the f-word, so probably most senior groups would
be turned off right then and there from what many of you have described.
But for other adventurous souls, it's a fast and unusual read. You just
need to take it in context.

*************************************************************************
Hedy N.R. Hustedde (daisy) tel: 319-344-4175
Information Librarian fax: 319-344-4185
Bettendorf Public Library email: [removed]@libby.rbls.lib.il.us
2950 Learning Campus Drive website:http://www.rbls.lib.il.us/bpl
Bettendorf, IA 52722 Alles Gute!

On Wed, 18 Apr 2001, Mary Rindfleisch wrote:

> I facilitate one of our book groups (I hesitate to say "lead" because it is
> really more like herding cats sometimes than being an authority figure),
> which is not officially a senior group. However, because it meets on a
> weekday morning, the attendees tend to all be retirees (average age is
> probably 65). Granted, this is an overwhelmingly well-educated, generally
> upper middle class, still very active group, which may make them different
> from some other gatherings of senior citizens. These folks don't seem to
> have any problem finding something to talk about, but I can see the
> generational differences in what they like and how they respond. They tend
> quite definitely to not want to discuss any gay themes at all (difficult in
> a book like _Memoirs of Hadrian_) and to have a resistance to some of the
> politically correct preconceptions I imbued in school (they thought the idea
> that _Heart of Darkness_ might be objected to on grounds of racism
> absolutely preposterous). We had a very interesting discussion just this
> morning on _Catcher in the Rye_. This was actually suggested by one of the
> group and received the largest number of votes of any book on our ballot for
> this half-year. The discussion was extremely lively, but what was most
> interesting to me was how much of the response came from the perspective of
> parents (we are all so used to Holden Caulfield as a cult figure for
> alienated teens). While some of them objected to some of the language, they
> almost all felt immense sympathy for Holden, almost as if he were their own
> child. The discussion was much more about family dynamics than about
> rebellion, with some concern about whether the book presented an inspiring
> model for teens or was more likely to do harm. _Catcher_ is so often billed
> as a YA classic and an inevitable part of the high school curriculum, it was
> really a refreshing change to see it dealt with more as a parenting case
> study!
>
> By the way, the group wondered if there were any one more recent book which
> could be considered the equivalent for later generations of teens. I
> couldn't come up with any one title off the top of my head which really had
> the same impact. Any suggestions?
>
> Mary Rindfleisch
> Adult Services/Readers' Advisory Librarian
> Ridgefield Library
> 472 Main St.
> Ridgefield, CT 06877
> Phone: 203-438-2282
> e-mail: [removed]@biblio.org
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [removed]@maillist.webrary.org
> [[removed]@maillist.webrary.org]On Behalf Of JCURTIN
> Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2001 12:17 PM
> To: Fiction_L
> Subject: RE: Senior Book Discussion Groups
>
>
> Hi Jane,
>
> Maybe we have the same patrons? <G>
>
> I have noticed those problems with Senior Groups, as well. They want to be
> current, but they don't care to read books dealing with social issues, or
> with the younger generation. And they are very sensitive to language, sex,
> and violence.
>
> I try to choose books that keep those issues to a minimum; avoiding them
> altogether is nearly impossible. Historical fiction, non-fiction, and
> mysteries tend to be less explicit and more palateable than literary
> fiction.
>
> When discussing the books, it helps if you can bring out points that relate
> to the members own lives, rather than questions about themes, symbolism,
> etc. Books that highlight local history and geography also seem to be things
> that seniors relate to well.
>
> Hope this helps,
>
> Joan Curtin
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: Senior Citizen Book Discussion Group
> From: "Jane Genzel" <[removed]@ci.muskego.wi.us>
> Date: Tue, 17 Apr 2001 13:57:41 -0500
>
> We have two book discussion groups for senior citizens at our
> library. The seniors are very adamant that they want to read "new" fiction
> but, when we can get enough large print copies of newer fiction, they
> strongly disapprove of the language, sex, violence and adult situations
> found in much of today's fiction. In any event, my question to the list is
> to ask if anyone will please share their experience with senior book groups.
> I'm having a terrible time getting discussions going about the books we read
> (most are not offensive to most members). I ask questions to invite
> discussion, often with little success. It appears that many of the readers
> either just want to listen, don't understand or care about the questions or
> comments, or ? Please help with your ideas so that I can better serve these
> groups. What sort of questions have worked for you? Is there a way to
> encourage participation and response from the group? Thank you in advance.
> Any help you may offer would be most gratefully received.
>
> Jane Genzel, Librarian
> [removed]@ci.muskego.wi.us
>
>
> -
>
> ......................................................................
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FROM: [removed]@co.wake.nc.us
REC'D: 4/19/01, 8:49 AM

I work with a Seniors' Book Club that has been meeting for almost 4 years.
It has been a real evolution as I have learned what they enjoy about books
and what types of books are the best match for their reading interests. We
alternate where one of the members selects a good read and where I make a
title selection. We meet once a month. We generally select titles that have
been in print for at least six months in order to manage a copy for
everyone through the library. It is one of my favorite activities each
month. We start with a 15-20 minute coffee and cookies break to catch up
with news and greetings. While I did a lot of the talking at first, now
they are more trusting of the group and can't wait to talk about our book.
It is definitely not an academic discussion. We have fun with character
development and plot. I do work to introduce them to authors they may not
know, to point out the different types of writing style we experience and
how that influences our reading but this is a small part of the discussion.
Remains of the Day was the most difficult book we read this year and while
most of them came in saying they really didn't like it, after discussing
the why nots and talking about satire, we all agreed at the end of the
meeting that "we got it". - They are getting braver and trying new books -
at first all they wanted was mysteries so mysteries it was. Hang in there,
- they will grow with you, for now read just what they want as they learn
to trust you and each other.

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