BOOK discussion groups were trialled during the pandemic to help overcome loneliness, and after proving successful, will continue on the Bellarine. When the lockdown prevented people meeting in groups and getting multiple copies of titles to discuss, retired teacher librarian Dr Anne Whisken approached Portarlington Neighbourhood House to host a fortnightly Zoom reading discussion group with a difference. \u201cThe idea was to focus on a different topic each session, with participants sharing their reflections about books fitting that topic and their impacts,\u201d Dr Whisken said. \u201cI wanted people to feel that they didn\u2019t have to be \u2018expert\u2019 book readers to be able to talk about the role of reading and books in their lives.\u201d Dr Whisken trialled the idea with a Geelong book group via Zoom before starting the Portarlington group. \u201cIt proved to be very successful, with the Zoom platform giving people an opportunity to overcome the loneliness of lockdown,\u201d she said. \u201cThe topic focus enabled participants to reflect about books that have been important to them over time and why. \u201cThey brought their life experiences into the discussion, enabling a rich sharing of backgrounds and viewpoints.\u201d Dr Whisken said books which brought greatest insight included Cry the Beloved Country, Buckley\u2019s Chance, No Friend But the Mountain, Rebecca, The Map That Changed the World, Flatland, Zorba the Greek, 1984, Until the End of Time and The Women\u2019s Room.
\nShe said important books in childhood or as teenagers included The Magic Faraway Tree, Secret Seven and Famous Five series, The Wind in the Willows, Biggles, A Little Bush Maid, The Secret Garden, Across the Nightingale Floor, I Heard the Owl Call My Name, and To Kill a Mockingbird. The Reading Discussion Group has continued in person this year at Portarlington Neighbourhood House. The group continues in Term Two, with the first meeting today, Thursday April 29 at 1.30pm. To book your spot, contact Portarlington Neighbourhood House 52592299.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BOOK discussion groups were trialled during the pandemic to help overcome loneliness, and after proving successful, will continue on the Bellarine. When the lockdown prevented people meeting in groups and getting multiple copies of titles to discuss, retired teacher librarian Dr Anne Whisken approached Portarlington Neighbourhood House to host a fortnightly Zoom reading discussion group […]<\/p>\n