A Book, a Classroom, and the Gift of Well-Read Mom
Written by Katie Maine
I‘ve had the pleasure of working as a subcontractor for Well-Read Mom for five years now, but it took me a few years to actually join them in reading and meeting every month. Why?
Pure stubbornness.
Well, okay, that was part of it but not the whole reason.
I am a soul who has loved to read since I could hold a book, and I like to read what feels right for the time/season. And as any first-born daughter would probably say, I don’t like to be told what to read and when to read it, thank you very much.
So, as I continued to work with the Well-Read Mom team, and as they continued to invite me, I felt juuuuust fine in declining their offers.
I liked my book freedom, thanks.
Fast forward a few years to when a local homeschool co-op asked if I would teach an American literature class. I hesitated. Just because I loved to read and had a deep affection for the teenage years didn’t necessarily qualify me to be a teacher. Sure, I had been homeschooled myself, attended a co-op growing up, and taken plenty of English classes in college—but a teacher?
Whether it was because God had a plan (He did) or the women that asked were all-together so convincing I couldn’t say no (they were), I accepted. And I can tell you with whole-hearted sincerity that it was one of the most treasured experiences I have had, or will ever have, in my life.
Month by month, these kids taught me as much (if not more) than I taught them. I let them choose their own adventure at first: Tom Sawyer or Huckleberry Finn. Our beginning discussions were like pulling teeth, but we made it. We moved on to Animal Farm and they started to at least answer questions when called on. From there, we read the play A Raisin in the Sun where though I didn’t make them act it out, I did, by golly, tape an imaginary stage to the floor and taught them what “moving down stage left” meant. For December we read Little Women and although every boy complained, the hands went up when I asked a question.
Christmas break happened. We all gathered back, and while I was asking about their holiday, one boy asked “Miss Katie, have you seen the movie “Dead Poets Society?” “Yes,” I answered. “I love that movie.” “I watched it with my dad over break and I told him that you reminded me of the teacher in it. I think we’d stand on desks for you.”
My heart stopped. Never will I receive a better compliment in all my days.
That semester, everything changed. We read The Lord of the Flies. One boy shared that he cried and when I asked, “What is the saddest part about this book to you?” He responded, “That when innocence is lost, it can never be gained again.” Somberly, they all nodded. We moved on to Of Mice and Men and suddenly, I wasn’t asking as many questions as I was making sure everyone got the chance to share their thoughts and insights. To Kill a Mockingbird was next and many of them found their literary hero in Atticus Finch. But the final book was the reason that I finally joined Well-Read Mom.
We ended the year by reading The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton, which has been my favorite book since I first read it when I was twelve. I had no idea that for my entire life, I had been waiting for this moment: the moment to discuss the characters, phrases, and themes I have loved for so long WITH someone. From them, I learned new ways to see the story and characters I thought I knew so well. I watched thirteen different faces find themselves in one character or another. They wanted to ask each other questions, to listen, and to really hear from one another. Suddenly, I knew—I couldn’t hide from my invitation anymore.
I had picked all the books for my class and asked each student to trust me. They did, and you know what? They still talk about those books. They’re still a group of friends. The oldest ones left for college this year and in every thank you card I received was the phrase “Stay Gold” just like Johnny told Ponyboy.
So, I contacted my Well-Read Mom friend and finally joined Well-Read Mom for the Year of the Giver. Would I have chosen every book on that list by myself? Certainly not, but I trust the hands that do because I know how much thought and work goes into choosing each selection.
Did I like every book? Mmm, 50/50.
Did I gain something from every book? Yes.
Did I leave every discussion meeting feeling fulfilled, inspired, thoughtful, and joyous?
Every. Single. Time.
I can’t say that I have finished every book, or attended every meeting, but never once have I regretted dedicating one Saturday morning a month to gather with an incredible group of women to share our thoughts, learn something from one another, and just talk books and life.
Let my stubbornness be the lesson you don’t have to learn for yourself. Join us, and you’ll see there is nothing quite like talking about the same book, read at the same time as thousands of others.
I dare you to tell me it doesn’t change your life.
About Katie Maine
Katie Maine is a working woman by day, a creative by night, and a storyteller always. Her favorite thing to write about is the in-between, messy, ordinary magic moments one finds if they’re curious enough to look for them. She lives in northern Minnesota where she can be found outdoors in every capacity (most often with people she loves), unless she’s baking (most often with people she loves sitting on her kitchen floor talking to her. It’s a thing.).
About Well-Read Mom
In Well-Read Mom, women read more and read well. Our hope is to deepen the awareness of meaning hidden in each woman’s daily life, elevate the cultural conversation, and revitalize reading literature from books. If you would like to have us help you select worthy reading material, we invite you to join and read along with us. We are better together! For information on how to start or join a Well-Read Mom group visit our website wellreadmom.com
