By Diana Whittle
East Valley residents love to read. If you doubt that assumption, take note of the growing participation in book clubs sponsored by Mesa Community College. For Tempe resident Anna Warner, who was born in Holland, being involved with a book club gives her a group of people to practice speaking English with. “I loved Book Club and I plan to attend again this semester,” said Warner. “I liked the discussions and the club helped me improve my English,” said Warner. “The instructor is very nice, and I found everyone to be very friendly.” Kevin Johanek is another book club member. He’s also from Tempe and an elementary education major, who agrees with Warner by noting that he “had an awesome experience with fellow book lovers.” “I’ve always liked to read,” said Johanek, “but I don’t have a lot of friends who read; so this is a good opportunity to share thoughts with others about the same book. Plus, everyone who was there wanted to be there.” This semester the club at MCC’s Southern and Dobson campus will be reading Jennifer Finney Boylan’s funny and revealing memoir “She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders,” Boylan’s narrative of her own transition process. It’s a book about growing up feeling wrong in your own body, and finding a way to fix it. MCC Book Clubs are comprised of a mix of students, faculty, staff and community members. Kate Mohler, a faculty member of MCC’s English Department, said the clubs are a great community-building activity. “We always have an interesting and very diverse group of people,” said Mohler. “Our members gain insight into current events, social trends and different cultures by engaging in thought-provoking discussions.” MCC’s Southern and Dobson Book Club will meet on Thursday, Feb. 4 to hold a raffle to give away copies of She’s Not There: A Life in Two Genders, and again on Wednesday, March 4 and Wednesday, April 8 to discuss and debate its content. Large-group meetings of the club meet from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m. in the Southwest Reading Room in the Library at MCC’s Southern and Dobson campus, 1833 W. Southern Ave., Mesa.
