Ten minutes to write. Less time to read.

I’m going on record as changing my mind.

I’ve always been a purist where book clubs are concerned. That is, if you join a book club and the assigned book for next month isn’t something you want to read, you should do it anyway. One reason to join a book club is to broaden one’s reading interests.

But yesterday I went to my monthly book club meeting, having purchased the book in question but also having read only 17 pages. According to my former philosophy, I should have not attended, because I hadn’t finished the read in question. According to my current philosophy: well — if others in the group don’t bother to read the book, why should I?

I’ve been a member for only a few short months, but what I’ve learned is that reading the book is not necessary for participating in a viable discussion. Some of the club members read the book cover to cover. But others visit online sites to learn about the book’s reviews or to expand their knowledge by learning about the context in which the book is important.

I don’t know about other book clubs, but the one I’ve joined seems to be comprised of intelligent women who have opinions based on facts that may or may not have come from reading a certain book Many of them are well-traveled; many have had professional careers (although most are now retired); many are open to new ideas.

So I am trying to join them by revising my opinion that one must read the assigned book to participate. Maybe one just has to learn something about the subject involved, be it fiction or non-fiction, to contribute to the whole. I’m not sure, but I’m willing to give it a try.

P.S. Yes, this is the first day that I’ve done a double entry. Since I don’t write every day anymore, I’ve decided that — when the spirit strikes — I’ll write double. Maybe even triple. Who knows?