Vernon Area Library marks 20 years of book discussions with Judy Levin
On Thursday, October 13, at 10 a.m., longtime Riverwoods resident Judy Levin will lead a discussion of the novel "Boy, Snow, Bird" by Helen Oyeyemi, at Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Rd., Lincolnshire. While the library's event calendar is dotted with book discussions, this one is of particular note since it marks 20 years of Levin's popular series at the library - making it the 204th discussion.
In 1996, when the current Vernon Area Public Library building was just two years old and the library was adding to its public program offerings, library bookkeeper Nancy Odell recommended that her neighbor could lead a regular book discussion. The neighbor was Levin.
Having moved to the area in the mid-1970s, Levin was involved in the growth of Aptakisic-Tripp School District 102 and active with ORT America, one of the largest non-governmental education and training organizations in the world. She also had a professed love of libraries and reading. Raised in nearby Morton Grove, Levin said she haunted the public library in her youth. When she was newly married and finishing her teaching degree at Northeastern Illinois University, she worked part-time at the Morton Grove Public Library. She considered it a dream job.
The library's fall 1996 newsletter announced the new book discussion series led by Levin. The listing promised a lively literary discussion and a chance for participants to "share ideas and perceptions with fellow book lovers." At the first meeting, on October 10, Levin recalls that eight to 10 readers showed up to talk about David Guterson's novel "Snow Falling on Cedars." Another novel, Richard Ford's "Independence Day," and a memoir, Mary's Karr's "The Liar's Club," followed that year.
In the late 1990s book clubs were proliferating, fueled by Oprah Winfrey's high-profile choices that quickly became best-sellers. But when Levin's discussions at Vernon Area Library swelled to more than 30 patrons no matter the weather, the growth had more to do with the leader than anything else. Longtime participants readily point to two reasons for Levin's popularity: she makes interesting selections and she easily leads thought-provoking discussions.
"I like to find books beyond the best-seller lists," Levin said in an interview. She reads all major publications including The New York Times, keeps tabs on publishers, listens to podcasts like Bookworm and monitors literary awards short lists - always on the lookout for the next good book.
For Levin, making thoughtful selections also involves attending Printer's Row Lit Festival and the Chicago Humanities Festival each year, visiting libraries and book stores and attending author talks. She looks for books that are different in some way - the writing style, subject or perspective. She also looks for authors from other countries to "expand our horizons," with recent selections including "Americanah" by Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and "Nora Webster" by Irish writer Colm Tóibín.
On a Thursday morning this past July, 36 readers (35 of them women) gathered in the Vernon Area Library meeting room. Though the group may seem homogenous, Levin will quickly tell you it isn't. "Everyone brings their own background to the discussion…you never know the personal stories, changed relationships, crises, the places people have lived," Levin said.
Levin began the session with a brief profile of author Paula McLain, especially as it relates to the subject of that month's book discussion, pioneer aviator Beryl Markham in the historical novel "Circling the Sun." Both McLain and Markham were abandoned by their mothers in childhood and both mothers later reentered the women's lives. Before launching the discussion, Levin talked about the historical context for the novel and its related works including Isak Dinesen's "Out of Africa." This is the depth that discussion group member Biv Michaels appreciates.
Michaels, who has been part of Levin's group at Vernon Area Library for at least 18 years, said that Levin "gets to the meat of it…she brings so much information about the book and how the author came up with the idea." She also lauds Levin for her selections, saying "Judy has introduced me to books I otherwise wouldn't have read, opening doors for me in my own reading." Though Levin chooses mostly fiction, she acknowledges that nonfiction writers have become very good storytellers, "the genre has become really interesting."
Another attendee, Barbara Golan, who figures she has been part of the group for at least 12 years, echoes Michael's words, saying "I was never really gung-ho about nonfiction but Judy chooses so many good books, unusual books, that I've found interesting." Golan cited "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot and "The Nine" by Jeffrey Toobin as titles she wasn't initially interested in but that "turned out to be excellent." Michaels credits the latter with piquing her continued interest in that book's subject, the Supreme Court.
Levin, who leads book discussions at four libraries as well as a couple dozen private groups, finds that no two are the same - discussions vary even on the same book. "Book clubs are a safe place to share thoughts and opinions. Part of the appeal is their openness," Levin said. Michaels chimed in on this point, too: "I like hearing from other participants, some of them born outside the United States, who bring their insights to the discussion." She marvels at how easily Levin gets each discussion going.
Twenty years is an impressive run, even for an avid reader like Levin who consumes about 50 books each year. We asked her what keeps her going. "What I get from the Thursday morning group is immeasurable - insights and comments that never cease to excite me and tell me why I do this. There is always a new viewpoint, a new take," said Levin.
Book discussions with Judy Levin are held the second Thursday of the month, 10-11:30 a.m., in the Vernon Area Public Library meeting room. Registration is required. For more information, call 224-543-1485. Levin's book selections through the years are on display and available for checkout now.
About the Vernon Area Public Library
The Vernon Area Public Library District serves a population of 42,900 within a 29-square-mile area that includes Lincolnshire, Prairie View and parts of Buffalo Grove, Long Grove, Riverwoods, Vernon Hills and unincorporated Vernon and Ela townships. For more information about the library and its services, visit http://www.vapld.info.