First published in the Dec. 10 print issue of the Glendale News-Press.
Cover to cover, one page at a time, the Booked Solid Book Group recently finished reading 228 books — a feat that marked its 20th anniversary.
With festive party hats, the bookworms assembled to celebrate their group’s history of providing a space to meet with others who cherish reading, friendly dialogue and all the public library has to offer.
Booked Solid formed in 2002 as a local response to a statewide call to read of John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath,” which allowed Glendale Library, Arts and Culture patrons to take part in the shared experience of reading and communal reflection.
Led by its founders, retired librarians Mary Alice Wollam and Patricia Zeider, Booked Solid has fostered decades worth of community-building, with a strong love for literature as its constant heartbeat.
“By reading the same book at the same time and then talking about it together, we automatically establish a connection through the book, as well as through the conversation,” Wollam said. “As a librarian and as a reader, it’s rewarding to share those wonderful books with people and then talk about them.
“Everyone brings their own ideas to the conversation,” she added. “It’s an entire package — to be with a group of people that look forward to reading.”
Some of the titles read this year include “Finding Dorothy” by Elizabeth Letts, “The Night Watchman” by Louise Erdrich, “Cloud Cuckoo Land” by Anthony Doerr, “The Paris Library” by Janet Skeslien Charles, “Driving While Black” by Gretchen Sorin and “How Beautiful We Were” by Imbolo Mbue.
Booked Solid, which meets on the second Tuesday of every month from 7-8 p.m., originally began at the Glendale Central Library before moving to the Casa Verdugo Branch, and since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has been meeting virtually on Zoom. Despite the change in proximity to one another, Wollam said the book group is still going strong. They have been picking up and returning their monthly assigned book on a member’s front porch.
The group’s literary selection comes from the library’s book kit collection, which contains sets of books that have enough copies to ensure all members can participate. Wollam and Zeider pick titles ranging in genre and interest; however, not all books are received by members with mutual gratification.
“Pat and I have chosen books that we thought were so great and everyone ended up hating them. Though, I would say that some of the worst books have the best conversations,” Wollam said.
“I know the kind of books I like to read, but by facilitating this group, I’m reading books that I would never read otherwise,” she added. “I would not normally pick up a book in the fantasy section, yet I read fantasy. I think members would agree that this group is an opportunity to experience every kind of book.”
Over the years, the group has embraced people of all walks of life — reflective of the Glendale community — priding itself on creating a space for discourse that welcomes personal insights and thoughts. Though, Wollam said half-jokingly that the group’s motto is “Everyone talks, but not too much” — words of encouragement that remind members to give all readers an opportunity to contribute to the conversation.
Prior to Booked Solid, Zeider had never participated in a reading group. For the avid reader, by helping to form this close-knit community, she cultivated a haven for book lovers like herself who can relish in an activity that also includes a sense of fellowship.
“I’ve always wanted to belong to a book group and then we put this one together, and there it was,” Zeider said. “I like having assigned readings, setting a goal of finishing a book and then discussing it with other people — you can talk to your friends about it, but they might not have the same interest.
“This is a group you know is safe and you can feel comfortable talking about what you’ve been reading,” she added.
Wollam agreed with her longtime colleague and friend.
“I loved being a librarian, and before I retired, I knew I was going to miss the public,” she said. “I spent a lot of my career talking about books to people, so this allows me to continue my love of sharing books with others. This group has been a gift to me, personally.”
Beyond member’s affection for reading and bonding, Wollam attributes the longevity of the group to consistency and simplicity.
“It’s a simple process in an age where there’s extra aggravation with everything — we make it easy for people to participate,” she said. “Every Tuesday of the month, our members have gotten to know each other and engage in thoughtful, spirited conversation rooted in civility, friendship and good humor, and I think it’s a huge cliche of the moment, but people are so divided, and books bring people together. … There’s nothing divisive about this book group at all. Reading is a joyful experience, it’s a great escape and it’s a pleasure.”
