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MANVILLE: Book club turns the page

Beverly Ball thanked for leading Hungry Readers for 10 years

By Mary Ellen Day, Special Writer
   The final chapter of the Hungry Readers Book Club has closed.
   The Manville library honored club leader Beverly Ball on March 11 for her dedication to the group, which is disbanding after 10 years.
   At the reception, Library Director Ed Smith presented Ms. Ball with a plaque of appreciation from the library and a dozen roses. She also received a certificate of appreciation from the mayor and Borough Council, as well as a letter from Brian Auger, director of the Somerset County Library System.
   ”Without a good library, this never would have happened,” said Ms. Ball. “They were wonderful. The books were made available, the room was made available and whatever we needed we got it.”
   She thanked all the book club members all of whom started out as novices.
   ”I could not have done this without the great membership, the great friends, and the great book lovers that I had the privilege to read and discuss books with,” said Ms. Ball.
   Ms. Ball decided that the time had come to retire.
   ”Health issues are my reason for dissolving the book club and eye problems make reading difficult,” she said. “I think all of the members have either health issues or family obligations that prevent them from becoming the monthly moderator.”
   Her favorite thing about book club was the social aspect — “getting together monthly with women who love reading as much as I do, and getting different perspectives on the books we have read.”
   The book club idea 10 years ago came at an exercise program when Jo Brous of the Manville Recreation asked, “What else we might be interested in — crochet, dominoes, book club, etc.”
   Ms. Ball said, “My name was first on the book club list, so Jo appointed me as ‘leader.’”
   The Hungry Readers met once a month to read and discuss a book. In total 120 books were read and discussed.
   ”As avid readers, they also personally read many more books on their own,” Ms. Ball said. “The Secret Life Of Bees was the first book they read together. The last book they read in December 2013 was “Lottery,” the story of a learning-disabled young man who won the lottery. The aftermath — friends who looked out for his interests and family who wanted to take advantage of him — led to a good discussion, according to Ms. Ball.
   Authors came to autograph and discuss their books with the club.
   Ms. Ball said she couldn’t pick a favorite book or author. “I enjoyed reading all of the books, and each author brought their own special talent and personality to the meeting.”
   Ann Palfy, one of the original Hungry Readers Book Club members, summed it up: “It was a good run.”