Book club meets at Scott library Published Sept. 3, 2014 By Airman 1st Class Erica Crossen 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Some people love to read to relieve stress while others want to expand their vocabulary or to provide a sense of escape from a hectic schedule. No matter what the reason, the staff at the base library invites all "book lovers" to attend their monthly discussion group to share what you've learned with others. The group is open to everyone and meets the fourth Wednesday of each month. They just finished reading "The Reason I Jump" by Naoki Higashida, a book recently popularized as an insight into an autistic boy's mind. Upcoming titles include "The Kitchen House" by Kathleen Grissom for September and "The Husband's Secret" by Liane Moriarty in October. Erika Huerta-Garlington, senior library technician said, "We see what other book clubs are reading, and it depends on what people contribute, when we compile the book list. There are always suggestions for good books that we all feel everyone should read. Our previous books discussions have covered a variety from non-fiction, fiction, and biographies." She said their discussion groups have been small--usually six to 10 people--which she says can be "the perfect size" since discussions last about 45 minutes to an hour. "This gives everyone a chance to speak," she said. "Some books, depending on what we pick, are controversial, and with everyone coming from different places, with different opinions, this forum gives everyone a chance to share what it means to them or how it affected them. That in turn helps us all to learn." She explained that the group usually starts off by going through a list of questions, which helps to provoke conversation. For instance, one question acknowledged that language can be a barrier for communication and wondered if "you ever felt the inadequacy of words to describe your own experience?" For some in the most recent discussion group, held Aug. 27, it started a conversation about the relationship people have with technology such as cell phones and how it can cripple some people socially. Michelle Franks said, "What you take from a book is so personal, and your experience is so different from someone else's and that will play into what you're reading." Liz Carpenter added, "I just enjoy getting to discuss the book and getting to see it from somebody else's point of view, and quite often my eyes are opened up when I hear another's perspective." The book discussion groups began in 2007, making it part of an established effort to keep Team Scott reading, said Garlington. The group also has another benefit of socialization and getting other good book recommendations. After all, Susan Fowler, an engineer at Defense Information Systems Agency who has attended the group multiple times, said she didn't read the book itself, but in addition to discussing the topic of the book, she came for a bit a social time. "It is an easy environment to reflect on the thoughts a book may bring and to open up a new way of looking at a topic," she said.