Page Turners: Book 'Em discusses mysteries at Brookfield Library

According to the official Web site, www.agathachristie.com, today is the last day of Agatha Christie Week, so it seems appropriate to wrap up the mystery of where readers might go to discuss their favorite mystery novels or true-crime stories.

While last week we learned about the Friday Forum in New Milford, I have since heard of a book discussion group in Brookfield that goes by the name Book 'Em.

Katherine Van Leeuwen, the adult services librarian, leads the Book 'Em discussions at Brookfield Library. She originally thought mysteries wouldn't lend themselves to a discussion group, but after a couple of people mentioned they'd like to have one, Van Leeuwen decided to give it a try.

"I didn't see that they would lend themselves to real discussion, but I was wrong," she said with a chuckle.

Book Em has been meeting for more than two years and has a core group of eight to 10 regulars. Others attend discussions occasionally, and some are regular participants during the school year, but take the summer off. The group meets year-round.

"The group is really dedicated, and mysteries are a quick read," Van Leeuwen said.

Books are selected on a month-to-month basis. Van Leeuwen announces the next book at each meeting. She makes selections from her own research, using book lists from other libraries and groups, lists of books that have won awards, suggestions from Book 'Em participants and the book "Read 'Em Their Writes: A Handbook for Mystery and Crime Fiction Book Discussions," by Gary Warren Niebuhr.

She tries to alternate between male and female authors and to find selections from other countries. Generally, the mysteries discussed are contemporary, but the group also has discussed some Christie books.

Each meeting begins with Van Leeuwen sharing information about the author's background. She usually only needs to ask one question and the discussion takes off.

Meetings generally last about an hour to an hour and a half. Most of the participants are women, although men are welcome and do attend meetings.

"One gentleman attends most of the time, and when he doesn't come to the meeting, he still reads the book and always gives feedback on it," Van Leeuwen said.

She finds the group members to be diverse in their reading, some being true crime lovers and others preferring "cozies," mysteries that are sometimes more lighthearted in their approach to murder and mayhem than a true-crime story. But "all are willing to cross over and read something that maybe isn't their favorite."

New people are welcome to join the Book 'Em discussions. It is preferred that you sign up in advance, so library staff can plan the room set-up, refreshments and the number of books to have on hand.

"When someone new comes in, they all are very excited and welcoming," Van Leeuwen remarked. "The group is not clique-y."

Book 'Em meets Monday, and again on Oct. 26. Van Leeuwen will have a cart by the library desk with copies of the next book and the sign-up sheet for the Oct. 26 meeting. If you're drawn to mysteries and/or true crime, stop by Brookfield Library and join the discussion.

To have your book club featured in "Page Turners," send an e-mail to cmueller@newstimes.com with the subject line "Book club." Please include a daytime phone number.