Squamish Literary Society

Our book club was formed in September 1996. We have attempted to keep our club to twelve members. Some of our original members have moved or left because of other commitments however, one has since re-joined after a two-year hiatus. We presently have six original members in the club. We have discussed having male members but this was voted down.

We meet once a month, on alternating weekdays (not Fridays or weekends!). We rotate hosts and the meeting begins at 8:00 p.m. and usually the discussion lasts until 10:00. We take turns bringing dessert. The host provides wine, tea or coffee.

The discussion is quite informal and we do not have an appointed leader however, one of our members is naturally adept at facilitating discussion and including all members.

Our book list is chosen in September where we each submit a suggested book. We draw the first 9 books and that is our book list for the year. We generally read and discuss fiction but one of our best discussions was Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer (non-fiction). We also discuss two consecutive short stories in The Penguin Anthology of Stories by Canadian Women (selected by Denise Chong) each month.

We have a varied group including teachers, a school trustee, a judge, homemakers and a Starbucks barrista!