Love Lane Readers Group has been going for six years and for the last four has been facilitated by Library Assistant, Dawn Gilkes. Attendance varies but generally the group has between six and ten members, all men, who read and discuss a broad range of titles. The group tend to favour non-fiction but have also enjoyed classics such as Bleak House, To Kill a Mockingbird and Huckleberry Finn.
The group usually read a book in three weeks but they also enjoy film adaptations, plays and talking books. They like the farces and comedies best of all as they are a group who love to laugh.
The Love Lane Readers wanted to take part in the Mood Boosting Books Campaign because they saw it as an exciting and interesting challenge. They were also motivated by the prospect of helping others.
‘The whole process was interesting and it feels nice to be contributing to helping other people.’ (Carl)
The group understand what it feels like to have their spirits lifted by a book. Some of the members suffer from depression and have discovered that finding a captivating read can really help to boost your mood during the darker moments.
‘As a depressive person if I can find a book that absorbs me and I can lose myself in it I forget my own suffering.’ (James)
The group received a list of books to consider for inclusion in our Mood Boosting promotion. Once they had two copies of several titles, each member of the group read two books. They met again to discuss what they had read and share the good ones with other members of the group.
The group were faced with challenges along the way. Reading books that you wouldn’t normally choose can be difficult but the group were continuously motivated by the fact that the campaign would be helpful to others.
‘If it helps to direct people who need uplifting to books it’s a good thing.’’ (Joe)
There was lots of debating along the way. Members had conflicting opinions about books, but eventually, the group came up with a shortlist. One thing they all agreed on was that the process in itself was definitely a mood-boosting one.
Get involved
Run a reading group that boosts people’s mood? Do add it to Reading Groups for Everyone. You will then be able to take part in all the great offers and giveaways that publishers have for reading groups including free books and author visits. At the moment you can take part in the competitions to win visits with best selling authors for National Reading Group Day.
Read any Mood Boosting Books lately? Check out our Mood Boosting Books promotion and readers’ recommendations and let us know what you think.
