Mill Creek Beacon - Your Hometown News Source

Novel Women of Mill Creek, a book club that has been around for 10-plus years, developed a new meeting strategy last fall that didn’t involve Zoom, but still maintained social distancing and allowed its members to socialize in person. Novel Women found this to be more enjoyable than Zoom meetings.

Meetings were held outside, under a member’s deck or in their garage (doors open), using masks and socially-distanced chairs. Instead of sitting down together for dessert, to-go snacks were provided.

As the weather got colder, a heater was introduced and Novel Women were donning jackets and gloves. After this, Zoom may be their best alternative.

Novel Women have also adopted a new strategy for book selection. During its 10-year history, members made selections in late summer and each meeting was hosted by the member who recommended the book. Beginning in 2020, the club has chosen from the Sno-Isle Library’s list of “book kits.” Book kits consist of 10 copies of the selected book. Not only does this save money, but it offers them an opportunity to read books they had not considered before. January’s book selection is "The Orchardist," by Amanda Coplin. Coplin was born in Wenatchee, Washington, received her bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota, and is the recipient of residencies from the Fine Arts Work Center and the Omi International Arts Center. She currently lives in Portland, Oregon.

Novel Women are enjoying the variety of titles offered by the Sno-Isle Library’s book kits and recommend this choice to other book clubs in Mill Creek.