The book group I’m speaking to tomorrow is a bit different than other groups I’ve visited: the members are blind.
The Skokie Public Library established a Book Club especially for people with visual impairments over 25 years ago — it was part of the library’s commitment to give visually impaired patrons access to reading, and, later on, to technology.
For this month, Skokie’s Talking Books Book Club chose to read Long time, No See. My memoir is available for free in Braille or on audio to those who qualify for the Library of Congress National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and I’m expecting this audience to look, as it were, at my memoir with a different pair of eyes than other readers. Taking care of our son Gus when he was little? Struggling to find employment? Making mistakes like grinding pinto beans to make coffee? These anecdotes might be intriguing to sighted audiences, but I’m afraid they fall into the “been there, done that” category with tomorrow’s group.
Gary Gustin, the group leader, told me that the people who drive book club members to the library have started to participate in the book discussions now, too. “They used to just mill around the library while we were discussing our books, so we invited them to join us.” A number of drivers are married to the visually-impaired participants — maybe I’ll ask what they all think of the way Long time, No See deals with relationships. It’d be a totally selfish move on my part — I’ll learn far more from my audience than they’ll learn from me, and hey, I may gather enough material to write a sequel!
Hey, tomorrow’s discussion will be a “teachable” moment for all involved. You SHOULD write a sequel. You have the most interesting life ever. I love “stalking” your blog.
You were right to put the quotation marks around that word stalking, Kim — I love how you leve so many comments here, you are the most “obvious” stalker I know! THANKS, and keep the fun comments coming–
Yes! The long awaited sequel! Looking forward to your life in the big city and your travels and all your companion dogs. This could be a 500 pager!
You do do interesting things. I’m sure the club will have anecdotes of their own to share. If you are blind, and you have an active life, we all colect them.
Thank goodness for kindls and e-readers, it won’t be so heavy then.
What about a book club like this at Elmhurst Library??
Great idea!
We’re excited that you’re coming to visit us! The Talking Books group always has a great time.
I look forward to it, too –just checking my talking clock, my ride to the library will b here in 8 minutes. As Flo would say, I’d better “get cuttin'”
WOW … We at the Skokie Library books for the blind group were very lucky today. Three long legged blonds walked into our life. As for you Beth I wrote some prose while you were speaking.
Into blindness – like the night.. I follow – you lead. I group – you stride. The day is dark and the night is darker. Please keep me in your site. Who can understand blindness more than my new blind friend.
Beautiful prose to highlight a beautiful day. It was a privilege to be with you all yesterday, kudos to Gary Gustin and Judy Zartman for running such a spunky,energetic and supportive group. Thanks to all of you for having us —
Beth, Always enjoy reading your blogs. I miss your class alot & look forward to being part of the Cultural Center group in the fall. Have a good summer! Joan Miller
Oh, Joan, we miss you, too — am guessing you are in Maine again this summer? Hope the temps are more temperate there than in Chicago today — we’re due to hit 100º. PS: I’m pretty proud of myself for figuring out how to find the degrees symbol, gee, my computer skills are improving!
[…] lot of the conversation during The Q&A after my talk with Skokie Public Library’s Talking Books Book Club last week centered around independence. Jim and Kathy […]
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