Time to Spring Into a Book Club or Two

Unless you set your clocks ahead an hour before you went to bed last night, it’s later than you think.

Now for the good news: Daylight saving time offers more light at the end of the day--time to leave the nest and get out of your literary rut.

We’re talking book clubs.

Not to be confused with those in writers groups, who discuss their own works in progress, book club members choose a book by consensus, read it and prepare to enter into what may be a spirited discussion at their next meeting.

Barnes & Noble and Borders list reading groups in their monthly calendars. They are free and cover a range of interests. And if you don’t find one to suit you, ask about starting one. According to Cynthia Leggett, community relations manager for several Barnes & Nobles stores, some clubs or reading groups have been in existence a long time; new ones form if there is no scheduling conflict and enough interest.

The Monday Afternoon Book Club--which meets the second Monday of the month at 12:30 p.m. at the Thousand Oaks Barnes & Noble--began more than 11 years ago as a group of Agoura newcomers who met in homes.

When Barnes & Noble arrived, members opted to meet there--it saved housecleaning chores, Susan Eddy said with a laugh. She enjoys the club because it forces her out of her niche reading, which would be mysteries. Last month’s selection was “The Poisonwood Bible” by Barbara Kingsolver, and the choice for the April 12 meeting is “Where the Heart Is” by Billie Letts.

“We try to select books that are more topical,” Eddy said. Selection is always a group choice with few rules. Paperbacks are preferred to keep the cost down, and at least one person must have read the book being suggested.

If you are looking for a new group, Barnes & Noble in Thousand Oaks is starting one at 7:30 p.m. April 13. It’s called Great Books of the Century Reading Group and will focus on a different decade each month. At the first meeting, three decades will be discussed, 1900 through the 1920s, with music featured from and refreshments geared to that time.

The Ventura Barnes & Noble will begin a similar group at 7 p.m. April 14, and the Calabasas Barnes & Noble will begin one April 29.

Another new venture is the Shakespeare Reading Group, formed by actors and friends who enjoy reading aloud. At its first meeting, at 7:30 p.m. April 25 at the Calabasas Barnes & Noble, they plan to read “The Taming of the Shrew” aloud, followed by a short discussion. You can find other ongoing groups: Spanish reading; science fiction; Friends of Dorothy, a gay and lesbian group; career connections; history; crafts; and spirituality. Check the various Barnes & Noble stores in the county for details.

At Borders in Thousand Oaks, ongoing groups include two contemporary book clubs that meet every second Tuesday at 7 p.m. Selections for April 13 are Chris Bohjalian’s “Midwives” and James McBride’s “Color of Water.” Every third Tuesday, a short-story group and Partners in Crime meet. A sci-fi/fantasy group meets the last Wednesday, Delta’s Corner focuses on African American literature and meets the last Saturday of every other month at 7 p.m.

Try one of these clubs to expand your literary horizons.

Next week, look for book groups geared to kids.

HAPPENINGS

* Monday, 6 to 10 p.m., chess. Mark Doyle will give an intermediate strategy lesson at 7. Bring your own equipment to Borders, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 497-8159.

* Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., story time and songs at Adventure for Kids, 3457 Telegraph Road, Ventura, 650-9688; 7 p.m., co-authors Rick Foster and Greg Hicks will discuss and sign “How We Choose to Be Happy: The 9 Choices of Extremely Happy People--Their Secrets, Their Stories” (Putnam) at Borders, 125 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., 497-8159.

* Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., story time for toddlers and preschoolers at the Ventura Barnes & Noble, 4360 E. Main St., 339-9170.

* Friday, 7:30 p.m., Hard Hat Theatre Company will perform Best of the Bard, about William Shakespeare, at the Calabasas Barnes & Noble, 4735 Commons Way, (818) 222-0542.

* Saturday, 10 a.m., Rise ‘n’ Shine Storytime at Borders, 25 W. Thousand Oaks Blvd., 497-8159; 11 a.m., mystery author Alan Jacobson will discuss and sign “False Accusations” at Mysteries to Die For, 2940 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 374-0084; 1 to 3 p.m., Scandinavian food at Barnes & Noble, 160 S. Westlake Blvd., Thousand Oaks, 446-2820; 7 p.m., Pajamamania celebrates National Poetry Month with Kristine O’Connell George, author of “The Great Frog Race” and “Old Elm Speaks,” at Borders, 497-8159.

Catch you next week.

Information about book-signings, writers groups or publishing events can be faxed to Ann Shields at 647-5649 or e-mailed to anns40@aol.com.