"It is such a happiness when good people get together -- and they always do.” —Jane Austen, Emma

Since 1917, The Women's National Book Association (WNBA) has promoted reading and supporting the role of women in the community of the book — good people getting together! WNBA is pleased to announce the launch of National Reading Group Month (NRGM) in October 2007 to mark the 90th anniversary of the association’s founding. Yee Haa!!

“Part of WNBA’s mission is to promote reading and the value of books, so we are proud to organize the first-ever National Reading Group Month. Reading groups inspire, transform and educate. They foster community and instill an appreciation for the written word,” says Laurie Beckelman, president of the Women’s National Book Association.

“The launch of National Reading Group Month is a perfect way to celebrate our 90th anniversary, one that will create a legacy that grows richer year by year, as more and more friends of the book step up with new and creative ways to support reading groups."

The mission of National Reading Group Month is four-fold:

* To bring about public awareness of the joy of shared reading.
* To provide a time for existing groups to celebrate their accomplishments and make plans for the future.
* To encourage libraries, bookstores, and various organizations to host special events for reading groups.
* To provide opportunities for individuals to get involved in an existing reading group or start one of their own.

WNBA has chapters in Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. All the chapters will mark the month with special festivities, but the celebration will be nationwide and open to all. Booklovers of all stripes — readers, publishers, librarians, authors, booksellers, and more — will join in.

A chief organizer of NRGM for WNBA is April Judge of the New Jersey ALA and West Caldwell Public Library. NRGM is originally the novel idea of Martha Burns and Alice Dillon, authors of Reading Group Journal: Notes in the Margin published by Abbeville Press (1999).

Here Ye All Reading Groups – let October ring with good books, good cheer, and good friends!

Look here for more details in the months to come. Please let me know what your group is planning for National Reading Group Month.

And, as always, thank you for keeping the joy of reading alive.

Barbara
bmead@readinggroupchoices.com