Dianna Lucas
Friends of the Library (FOL) book discussions are quite popular among Robson residents. They are much more than book reviews where you merely get an overview of the book itself. Over the past several years, many have enjoyed what one reviewer “found to be more like attending an interesting college professor class lecture—with a few minutes of discussion at the end.” Indeed, many of our presenters are past college professors or teachers or hold other advanced degrees.
In our discussions, we often delve into the author’s life story and how the book came to be written. Historical content is explored with background about world events that influenced the author’s view. We’ve had presenters who had specifically studied given authors and even an army general who explained war maneuvers and procedures, complete with actual photos of the war zone.
Now we’re looking for input from our membership and other residents for ideas for books to discuss in the future. For 2023, the book Discussion Group Committee will make four selections. They usually come from a mix of genres, including classic fiction, contemporary fiction, non-fiction, and Texas history.
If you have a favorite title or author you would like to share with the community, we want to hear from you. Send your suggestions for the committee’s consideration to [email protected]. The deadline is Sept. 30.
You will definitely want to attend our next book discussion. On Sept. 15 we will discuss Empire of the Summer Moon, by S. C. Gwynne. The discussion will be held in the Robson Library in the CATC building from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
This book is a work of nonfiction and includes two supporting stories. The first is an account of the end of Comanche control of much of Texas in the 1800s. The second is the epic saga of Quanah Parker, the last chief of the Comanches. It was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize and other awards.
We’re always looking for new members to help support the Robson Library. In the 2021-22 fiscal year, FOL spent $5,700 to enhance and support the library and add to its collections. Membership is only $10 per person per year. Simply download the membership form using the link below. Fill it out and follow the directions on the form.
Use the following link to download the FOL membership form: tinyurl.com/etrxactc.