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Rainier book club members share joy of reading

The Daily News

by Christy Caballero

Dec 18, 2006

RAINIER --- Gathering to discuss their 100th book, Rainier book club members also honored the

memory of their founding member, Ruth Kellar, who recently died.

"I think there are at least three people that have been part of this the whole time but of course seniority doesn't really count for anything because we only discuss one book at a time," her son, Marvin Kellar, 68, said with a smile. "I didn't get involved until about half way through --- No. 42, "The Professor and the Madman."

"My mother didn't want to drive after dark and I figured if I needed to take her, I might as well read along with them," he said. "She was the moderator and I took over that spot after she passed away Oct. 29 of this year."

Ruth Kellar spent many years as a teacher in Rainier schools and drew former students into the reading group.

"I've enjoyed the book club since the first time I came," said Linda Werth, 51, of Longview. "Ruth has been a big part of my life, ever since I moved to Rainer in the ninth grade. Ruth always could make people think."

Floy Witham, 85, is one of the original book group members and Ruth Kellar's sister.

"This is our 100th book since we began in September 1998," she said. "It's such a nice mix of people, I just really look forward to it every month."

The 100th book was "The Memory Keeper's Daughter" by Kim Edwards.

The book deals with events in a family when twins are separated at birth, and the one with Downs syndrome is sent away.

"It makes you appreciate the abilities we take for granted and squander," Kellar said. "I was intrigued that this was based on a true story."

Kellar said he recalls his mother helping with a door-to-door census to bring kids with mental challenges into school when programs were just beginning.

"1964 is the setting for this book. It sounds fictional, but that's the way they used to do it."

All 12 members had thoughts to share about the story line or message.

"I like books that have two generations ... because you can see why people have acted the way they did," said Dorothy Churchill, 88. "This book left you wondering what was going to happen to these people after you didn't get to know any more about them --- they became real."

For Joan Mason, 71, of Rainier, the group has expanded her horizons.

"It's made me a much more diverse reader," she said. "It introduced me to books I would never have read otherwise. And just as much as discussing a plot, we discuss the topic we've been reading about."

Opinions get expressed --- and don't always match up. But it sparks good discussion.

"I remember the first time I had picked a book, and someone didn't like it; it surprised me," Mason said.

But Kellar tries to keep a balanced view. "They have as much right to be wrong as I do to be right," he said, laughing.

Anyone is welcome to participate; the group meets on the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Rainier Methodist Church. The next pick is "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston.

Before the 100th book meeting wrapped up, Kellar tattled --- Floy never finished one of the books, "Don Quixote," his mother's personal favorite.

"So, of the 100 books she's supposed to have read, it's actually 99 and a half, because she never got through 'Don Quixote.' "

Witham just shook her head, and said "every year Ruth read it to her eighth-grade class. I'm still trying to figure out why."