Aveyron Book Group

Books, Books, Books Aveyron Book Group The Aveyron Book Group was set up in 2003 with just 5 members and now with a full house at 14, it meets regularly in the afternoons for tea, visiting each other's homes on a rota basis. The teas, says one of its members, Anne Dyson: "have become an institution almost as important as the books we read. We meet regularly once a month except for August when everyone seems to be too busy and we don't meet in February when the Aveyron weather is at its worst - we all live in fairly isolated villages where roads can be treacherous and well nigh impassable in February. We have a rigorous structure which suits us - and it is interesting to visit other groups and see the way they are organised, as many are very different! We begin with a cup of tea and an informal 'chat' to set the agenda for the next meeting after which the hostess for the afternoon starts us off on a discussion about the book we have read. Everyone in the group has to say what she thought about the book and give it a score out of ten. Anyone who can't make the gathering, emails their views over and these are included in the proceedings. The comments are varied and interesting though it's often difficult if you are one of the last to speak to find something new to say! Often a book thoroughly enjoyed by one member will be dismissed by another. All comments are valued. Some members are critical of style, language, characterisation and plot whilst others are happy to talk about the effect the book had on them - one member put it succinctly 'we are a book group not a literary society' when we were once in danger of taking ourselves too seriously. The scores for the book are usually the subject of much interest - especially by the person who first suggested the book to the group." To contact Anne Dyson of the Aveyron Book Club: annedyson@wanadoo.fr