WESTFIELD-Staying active can be a challenge for many during this pandemic as city residents are asked to “stay home” by public officials, but one group in the city is finding the perfect escape for their mental health – through reading.
“Here’s hoping you are all doing OK during this self-isolation and feeling well under the circumstances,” wrote Liz Boucher in a recent blog email. She has been the facilitator of the Novel Ideas Book Club of the Westfield Senior Center since the fall of 2011.
Liz Boucher, facilitator of the Novel Ideas Book Club at the Westfield Senior Center, has found extra time during the pandemic to start reading “This Is Happiness,” one of the books to be discussed in May if activities resume. (BILL BOUCHER PHOTO)
“At that time, I had just finished full-time babysitting for my second granddaughter as she started kindergarten,” said Boucher. “Between her and her older sister, I had been babysitting full-time since January 2003, when I retired from the Westfield Public Schools as payroll supervisor.”
Boucher said she suddenly felt “lost” and all of a sudden “had no purpose.”
“My husband Bill came up with the idea of me asking Tina Gorman, executive director, Westfield Council on Aging, if I could start a book club at the senior center since I love reading and I love sharing my thoughts,” said Boucher. “Tina was very receptive and it was her idea to come up with the name ‘Novel Ideas.’”
Each month prior to each meeting, Boucher sheds light on what books will be discussed in a blog email – as well as what is happening at home with her husband Bill – much to the delight of the members.
During her recent blog email, she is mostly binge watching television shows and enjoying “experimental cooking” but did not elaborate on any particular recipes.
“We are also enjoying the antics of Sammy the cat but I’m finding that training her to not scratch furniture or my carpets or jump up on the kitchen counter a lot is quite a task,” she added.
Those glimpses into her personal life have enlivened her blog emails and make for interesting banter when the members meet each month.
“We usually have 14 to 18 members at most meetings,” said Boucher. “Back in 2011, we started with six members and that was pretty constant until we moved into the new senior center. At the first meeting in the new building, the membership exploded and we had 20 people there.”
Boucher noted that new members are always joining the “thought-provoking” discussions and “a lot of people” have been attending gatherings for several years.
“Throughout my working life I always found reading was a way to decompress,” said Marti Ochs, who has been a member for four years. “Also when was I working, I had the pleasure of being part of a book club and that was a lot of fun.”
Ochs said since her previous book club experience was positive, she decided to join the Novel Ideas group.
“It’s been a lot of fun, it’s only one hour and we adhere to the schedule,” said Ochs, adding, “I feel very attached to everyone in the book club.”
Ochs noted that reading and book club discussions also help her to “get out of my head while making me feel connected to others.”
What makes this group special is the communication between Boucher and the members.
“When I was sending emails to members about the next monthly meeting and the next book to read, I didn’t want it to be just so cut and dried so I just started telling people something about my home life and have received wonderful feedback that members really enjoy reading some funny (usually) stories about Bill or me or both of us,” said Boucher.
Boucher noted that her husband has been an integral part of the book club since its inception.
“Bill is always a hit with the people as he can be pretty witty and he’s very helpful to me,” she said.
The group meets on the second Friday of each month at 10:30 a.m. at the senior center.
“We do not meet in July and August and sometimes, we also take one month in winter due to bad weather,” said Boucher.
Boucher describes a “typical” meeting starts with a discussion of the book that members read and about half of the participants give their input.
“Some people stay quiet and just want to hear what others think of the book,” said Boucher. “Oftentimes, our discussion leads to discussion of personal experiences which might relate back to this book or to members’ knowledge of the topics because of personal histories.”
Before each meeting ends, Boucher asks members for ideas on future book selections.
“Our selections are so varied,” said Boucher. “Our group loves to delve deeply into stories which are thought-provoking.”
Boucher noted that the group reads biographies, fiction and nonfiction, as well as different genres. On occasion, area authors also are featured at meetings.
“Every single author has been absolutely fascinating,” said Boucher. “Our members love this and it was a great surprise to Bill and me that authors would be so willing to come to our senior center. A couple of them have offered to return as they write new books and we already have one author returning in the fall.”
Seniors are welcome to attend the meetings – once the senior center reopens to activities – and there is no need to sign up ahead of time.
“Some of our members have been great about recommending books to read during this crisis,” said Boucher, noting selections include “American Dirt,” by Jeanine Cummins, “The Island of Sea Women,” by Lisa See, “The Ships of Brides,” by Jo Jo Moyes, and “Molokai” by Alan Brennert.
“Let’s hope this virus scare will go away as the weather gets warmer and nicer and that we can all get together again,” she said in her closing blog, adding, “have a safe week and stay ‘sane.’”
