Dunbar Library | Photo by Monica Brutt | Wright State Guardian
Wright State University’s Dunbar Library continues to host book club discussions throughout the spring semester, honoring the work of local authors and award winners.
books and content
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the WSU Library Book Club has been part of the community since 2014 (2017-2018, partly on a two-year hiatus), according to the library’s official blog.
The book club, which has been back in full force since 2019, offers books like Blackout: A Thriller by WSU professor Erin Flanagan and We Germans: A Novel by Alexander Starritt, winner of the Dayton Literary Peace Prize for fiction is featured.
This March, the Book Club will discuss “Webb Dubois’s Love Song” by Honoré Fannon Jeffers, winner of the 2022 Dayton Literature Prize for Fiction. The novel depicts the slave trade and the horrors of life in modern America.
A discussion of this work will follow on March 9th, following Elif Shafak’s discussion of “The Island of Missing Trees: A Novel” on January 12th.
discussion
Assistant librarian Mandy Shannon provided insight into the discussion at the book club.
“It’s a great mix of different perspectives and really fuels the discussion,” said Shannon.
Shannon also explained that the members of the Book Club are dedicated individuals from diverse backgrounds in the Dayton community.
“Since our first session in 2014, we have had several community members who have been involved. It varies,” Shannon explained.
Shannon also noted promising prospects for certain participant groups.
“We had more students than usual this year, which I think is very exciting,” exclaimed Shannon.
What to Expect with a Sponsor
Book Club sponsors for 2022-2023 are Friends of the Libraries, WSU Alumni Association, and WSU Retirees Association.
Friends of Library member Catherine Queener provided some insight into a typical book club discussion.
“Expect the moderator to come prepared with thought-provoking questions, but the discussion often touches on other aspects of the book that attendees find maddening, amusing, or inexplicable.” said Queener.
Different voices are welcomed and encouraged in the discussion. Queener described the environment of the discussion space.
“Multiple perspectives are welcome, and you don’t have to agree on every aspect of the book. The discussion is only an hour long and goes pretty quickly. Everyone is encouraged to have a say.” Queener said.
Student Opinions and Applications
Student Ashley Carter expressed interest in attending book club meetings, but found it difficult to make time due to family, work and school obligations. However, all students are welcome to participate in club online meetings and discussions.
The WSU community can borrow books from the WSU Library collection. For more information, visit the WSU Library Book Club blog or visit this registration link.
