Event place:
Redlands, CA
Reading
Discoveries book discussion at the County Museum
The San Bernardino County Museum is about to round out the second year of its
monthly book discussion program, Reading Discoveries. Held every second
Wednesday of the month at 7:30pm, this discussion is open to public free of
charge.
Since its inception in 2009, the group has read about early fossil
explorations, changing global weather patterns, evolution, how the domestication
of plants and animals has influenced human societies, the science and social
impacts of earthquakes, Latino history, the history and science of salt, the
wisdom of crowds, and the glory days of citrus in the inland area.
“I started this program because I like to read and discuss books with
other people,” said Curator of Education Jolene Redvale, discussion facilitator
for the program. “We read books in natural and cultural history that are
relevant to understanding our place in the world. That gives us a really wide
scope of titles we can enjoy.”
Many participants feel the same way as Redvale. “We talk about many
things in our discussions besides the book of the month. People’s different
backgrounds really add to the discussion,” said Valerie Mitchell, a teacher in
San
Bernardino.
“Members of the group bring different perspectives to current ideas,” described
Drew
Feldmann, of
San
Bernardino.
“
“We also talk about other things besides the book,” said participant Ed
Reyes of Redlands. “Sometimes I come to the discussion even though
I didn’t read the book. Afterwards, I have felt like reading it and have enjoyed
it.” Teacher Mary Pettitt also enjoys the conversation with adults.
On January 12, the group will discuss “The Fate of the Mammoth: Fossils,
Myth and History,” by Claudine Cohen. This book details the history of the
paleontology through the lens of mammoths. To enhance the January discussion,
Redvale suggests that readers attend a lecture by Curator of Paleontology Eric
Scott titled “Dinosaurs in Our Backyard,” on Sunday, January 9 at
2pm. The book discussion and the lecture blend well
to build an understanding of this popular subject matter.
On February 9, two books have been selected; “Seashore Life of Southern
California,” New and Revised Edition by Sam Hinton, and “Under the Sea Wind” by
Rachel L. Carson. Participants will plan to informally journey to the coast to
observe tide pools in March.
“Many people ask, ‘Do I have to read the book to be able to come?’”
Redvale said. “Absolutely No! Everyone is welcome at the discussion. People have
come without having read the book, and leave saying they will. Often, those who
attend have a particular interest in the book’s subject, and they only attend
once or twice. It’s nice to have people who bring lots of previous knowledge to
the discussion, because it’s one more way of learning more about it. The
discussions generally last two hours but we have stayed later a few times.
Sometimes the conversation is so compelling, we just can’t
quit.”
On March 9, the group will read and discuss “Ecology of Fear” by Mike
Davis. He will also be at the museum for a book signing on Sunday, March 6 at
2pm, where visitors will get a chance to chat with
him. “Ecology of Fear” will be available for sale at the Museum Store beginning
of January, 2011.
The group will be inviting more authors to participate with presentations
and book signings. “In 2009, we invited a number of authors whose work is
represented in the book Inlandia, which we read over the summer. We had several
authors attend each of the two discussions we had, and their input really
enhanced the discussion,” continued Redvale.
Beginning in 2011, the Museum Store will be stocking the books the group
reads. Redvale plans to have a corner in the Museum Store with previous and
upcoming titles, and a summary of the group’s discussion. She hopes that this
will help visitors’ decision to participate in the
discussion.
Participant Dale Mitchell agrees: “Come to the discussion, and pick up
the next month’s book.” Kim Clinton of Redlands added, “We all enjoy bouncing ideas off of each
other. It’s a group of people discussing things outside of work.”
The group also enjoyed having Dr. David Hayes-Bautista participate in the
discussion of his book, “La Nueva California,” earlier this year. “As with most of our book
titles, Dr. Hayes-Bautista’s book drew many new participants to the program,”
Redvale said. “We feel that discussing the book with its author present provides
unique opportunities to express our views and get questions
answered.”
Author Jeffrey Moussaieff Mason participated via e-mail from his home in
New
Zealand when the group discussed his book, “When
Elephants Weep.” “An e-mail discussion across the globe and multiple time zones
was challenging at first, but we got the hang of it and had a great, rich
discussion with him,” said Redvale. “Mason expressed his appreciation of our
perspectives on his work.”
“I ask for input on the books we read,” explained Redvale. “Sometimes I
bring in a stack of books, and let the participants vote for the ones that sound
compelling. I aim for a diverse range of topics and authors.” Redvale makes the
final choices and sends them to participants, as well as producing flyers to
hand out to visitors.
Participants also enjoy reading in new topic areas. Many agree that they
read books for the group they would never read otherwise. The conversations
often draw in subjects from previous books, further enhancing the exploration of
our world. Occasionally, participants don’t favor a particular book, but that
still didn’t deter an enjoyable discussion.
Redvale has added a Friday afternoon discussion, beginning February 11 at
2pm. “This event is for those folks who are not
available on the usual Wednesday evening, or who may not like to be out driving
after dark. I want to make the program available to everyone. The Friday groups
will initially meet every other month, and discuss the current and previous
month’s books,” said Redvale.
The Reading Discoveries book discussion is on every second Wednesday of
the month at 7:30pm, and on second Friday on even-numbered month at 2pm. This
program is open to public free of charge. For more information of the group and
book titles through June 2011, contact Jolene Redvale at (909) 307-2669 ext. 252
or visit www.sbcountymuseum.org.
The San Bernardino County Museum is at the California
Street
exit from Interstate 10 in Redlands. The museum is open Tuesdays through Sundays and
holiday Mondays from 9am to 5pm. The museum is accessible to persons with
disabilities. If assistive listening devices or other auxiliary aids are needed
in order to participate in museum exhibits or programs, requests should be made
through Museum Visitor Services at least three business days prior to your
visit. Visitor Services’ telephone number is 909-307-2669 ext. 229 or (TDD)
909-792-1462.