The African American Reading Club was founded by the late Lurine Carter and me in 1992. Prior to our first meeting, we met and discussed the details of our Bookclub: meeting date and time, location, format and the book. We finally worked out the details. At that time, I was able to advertise in our local newspapers and our first bookclub meeting was held at the Redford Branch Library. Our book was “Disappearing Acts” by Terry McMillan. We had a large crowd and a very lively discussion.
The next month we met, our book was “There Eyes Were Watching God” by Zora Neale Hurston. The crowd was smaller. However, as we continue to meet, some of the same people would continue to come and discuss the books.
Since 1992, our Bookclub have met in different places: Chaney Branch Library, Chase Branch Library, and a few times at the Apple Book Center, which has since closed. We now meet the first Tuesday of each month, 6:00 pm, at the Sherwood Forest Branch Library, located on Seven Mile and Livernois. Our Bookclub has 16 members and we have expanded our reading booklist to include African, Caribbean, Latino, and Native American authors. Depending on the book, we have lively discussions, varying opinions, and an overall respect for each other.
The CamaraIfe Maktaba 