A science fiction book club associated with the Middletown Public Library has amassed over 6,500 members, gaining nearly 150 a week even as the library was closed due to COVID-19.
The Facebook group was started in 2010 by the library director, John Grayshaw, as an opportunity for sci-fi fans to discuss their favorite works by authors such as Douglas Adams, Philip K. Dick and Ursula K. Le Guin. Today, SFBC has members from countries all over the world, spanning from Brazil to Russia to Japan and many more, according to a release from Grayshaw.
“It is incredibly encouraging to see people from so many cultures sharing ideas, arguing points politely, and getting along with each other. It gives me hope for the future,” Grayshaw said.
SFBC has only gotten more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. It hit the 6,000-member mark in April and now has over 6,500 members, which Grayshaw attributed to the extra time people have to read while social distancing.
Each month SFBC votes on two books to read and discuss; a classic and a modern — written after 2000 — work of sci-fi. The July group-reads are “City” by Clifford Simak and “Children of Ruin” by Adrian Tchaikovsky.
The book club began interviewing sci-fi authors and biographers, historians, and other sci-fi experts in 2017, starting with David Brin.
“I feel so lucky that we’ve gotten to talk to so many fantastic Science Fiction authors because unfortunately, the reality is that no one lives forever,” Grayshaw said in the release. “And too many of the greats have already passed.”
Some authors who the book club interviews even become members.
“It’s like being able to chat with your heroes on a daily basis,” he said.
This month the book club is interviewing Greg Bear and Alastair Reynolds, who will be the 50th interview the book club has conducted. Past interviews are available on the library’s website.
READ MORE
Coronavirus in Pa.: 849 new cases reported, second biggest one-day number since late May
Students, adults in schools must wear masks, Pa. Department of Education says
Two disinfectants will kill COVID-19 on surfaces in 2 minutes, EPA finds
"book" - Google News
July 09, 2020 at 05:01AM
https://ift.tt/2Dj6Iyl
Middletown Library sci-fi book club gaining international popularity during COVID-19 pandemic - PennLive
"book" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2Yv0xQn
https://ift.tt/2zJxCxA
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Middletown Library sci-fi book club gaining international popularity during COVID-19 pandemic - PennLive"
Post a Comment