BOOK clubs around the Myall Coast are taking advantage of the brand new facilities at Tea Gardens Library, starting with the return of the Sirens Book Club last week.
“It was a real celebration with a mini High Tea so we dragged out our good China teacup sets and brought a lovely assortment of sweet treats,” book club member Jane Collison told News Of The Area.
The group enjoyed the new digs while they discussed their latest book: The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri.
While there are close to a dozen book clubs in town, the Sirens began with 15 ladies back in 2018, many of whom are still reading with the group today.
“We called ourselves the ‘Sirens’ because at the first meeting there was an ambulance zipping past outside the old small room where we used to meet at the library,” Jane explained, warding off any connection to sailor-tempting ancient mythology.
“We originally started because of an article in the NOTA that announced the Library wanted to start a new book club – I was semi-retired, and in my working life I had never really had time to read as much as I wanted to, and always wanted to join a book club.”
“You read different books you would not normally choose – [there are] hundreds of books to choose from – have discussions, laughs, and share life stories.”
Club members choose the books from the library’s very large collection.
They can receive up to 10 copies to share out, get it online via the library’s Borrow Box system, or even listen to the audio version, if available.
“We have read crime mysteries, autobiographies, and quirky dramas set in different countries, like ‘The Temporary Bride’ set in Iran, or ‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’ about an octopus,” Jane said.
“The Beekeeper of Aleppo was quite a graphic story, very eye-opening across its 400 pages.”
The Sirens are very appreciative of the large-yet-private nature of the new room at Tea Gardens library, in which they hold their monthly meetings.
It was funded by a State Government grant and completed only a few weeks ago.
The new room features a large TV for presentations, plenty of chairs and tables, and a handy kitchenette, making the Sirens’ High Tea possible for the first time.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
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