Kimberly Bland is the founder and facilitator of “Reflections” in Columbiana, OH. In this interview, Kimberly talks about the impact that moving the group’s meeting place has had on their discussions and explains how selecting and discussing new titles allow members to gain insight into one another’s thoughts and emotions.

Q: Does your group have a name and/or a theme? How long has your group been in existence?

A: “Reflections” is the name of our women's book discussion group. “Reflections” came into existence in February 2002 when a group of women came together to discuss Anita Diamant's book, The Red Tent. It was a grass roots invitation --- fliers passed along from friend to friend and at the local library. Five women came to discuss the book in four sessions. “Reflections” grew from that initial book discussion.

Q: How many members do you have? How many men, how many women? What age are most of your members?

A: “Reflections” currently has nine members. It is limited to women. The average age of “Reflections” members is 65.

Q: How often do you meet? Where do you meet?

A: “Reflections” meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30PM, except for December. Originally the group met in member homes, now the group meets at the Columbiana Women's Club.

Q: Do you eat at your meetings? What do you eat? Who brings the food?

A: When we met in the homes, we ate. Members wanted to move away from a focus on eating and entertaining to a purer discussion group, so “Reflections” moved to the Women's Club. Members bring their own drinks or snacks if needed.

Q: Who leads the discussion? Do you use reading group guides?

A: “Reflections” is led by facilitator and founder Kimberly Bland. We use reading guides to initiate discussion and stay focused, but not exclusively. Usually, the discussion moves forward on its own.

Q: What kind of books do you read?

A: “Reflections” reads a broad number of books with no particular genre. Our reads are member-driven. Each member recommends a book they have read and loved. In this way, members begin to develop a greater insight into the members’ thoughts, feelings and emotions. Not only do we learn about a book, but we learn more about our members. I have kept the list of reads since 2002. It covers fiction, nonfiction, self-help, mystery... it’s an amazing list.

Q: How do you choose your books? Do you choose one new book at each meeting, or do you choose the books for a number of meetings ahead of time?

A: Once a year the group meets to review the next season reads. Each member brings two book recommendations that they have read. Members discuss and choose between which selections spark an interest. This comprises the list of book reads for the next season.

Q: What were some of the best discussions or favorite books the group read?

A: The Red Tent by Anita Diamant, A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides and Empress Orchid by Anchee Min. There are too many to list!

Q: How do you keep things fun?

A: It just happens.

Q: What advice would you give to other reading groups?

A: Pay attention to the books you select. Consistently selecting books that members don’t like causes them to drop off and lose interest.

Q: Do you have any horror stories, amusing anecdotes, or other special tales to tell?

A: There are a number of stories that we look back on in amusement. They've brought us closer.

Q: Is there anything else unique or noteworthy about your group that you would like to share?

A: I think the most noteworthy thing about “Reflections” is that the members truly love to read and genuinely stay on topic discussing the book. Each comes prepared with thoughts, anecdotes and supplementary educational clippings, and then bring to the discussion the comfort of being able to say what they did and didn’t like about the book. It’s amazing to watch it all develop in an hour and a half.