Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex
BOOK NOTES
Compiled by Shar Peters
Name of your Book Club: The Catch-All Book Club
Where does the name originate? It was originally designed for co-ed, post-college and pre-baby 20-somethings, but it has evolved to include both older and younger participants. We have mostly women, but guys are always welcome too.
Where do most of your members live? Decatur and East Atlanta
Spokesperson's name: Krista Gilliam, manager of Little Shop of Stories, 133A E. Court Square, Decatur. This is where the Catch-All Book Group meets.
How long have you been an organized Book Club? We celebrated our two-year anniversary in June.
When do you meet? The second Monday of the month at 7 p.m.
Most recent selection: Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex, by Mary Roach
What did your club have to say about it? It is nonfiction and definitely different from what we usually read. A few people (who mostly read fiction) didn't finish it, but for the most part, people liked it and appreciated that it was a history of the research of sex and full of interesting facts and history.
Next book you are reading: Valeria's Last Stand by Marc Fitten
How do you select your books? I try to pick books that people haven't read before and that will lend themselves to a good discussion. If everyone loves a book, the discussion may suffer. I also try to throw in some kids' books or young adult, and we even read a graphic novel this year. But mostly we read fiction.
Is membership open? Yes. Contact Krista Gilliam, 404.373.6300, or littleshopofstories@gmail.com
Is there anything unique about your Book Club? Twice a year we have a party (once at Christmas and once at our anniversary). We have food, beer and wine (sometimes homemade since we have some talented members) and celebrate. We also have a White Elephant gift exchange with books, which is always fun.
What books have been the Club's favorites? Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates, Bel Canto by Ann Patchett, The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid by Bill Bryson and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer.