Those looking for a little mystery, suspense and even magic can have their wishes granted right on campus because Schoolcraft’s Pageturners Book Club has the solution.

“Pageturners Book Club offers an opportunity for interested individuals to share their thoughts, reactions, and feelings about our monthly book selection in a lively, thoughtful discussion that can be enjoyed by Schoolcraft students, faculty, staff and the community at large,” says co-coordinators Professor Denise Schell of the English department and Reference Librarian Wayne Pricer in a joint statement. “Our selections offer something for everyone – timely, serious topics, light-hearted romantic comedies, even who-done-it mysteries!”

“Barefoot in the Park”

Pageturners kicked off their winter 2022 schedule with “The Magician’s Lie,” by Greer Macallister for the month of January and this week began February’s book selection “Barefoot in the Park” by Neil Simon.

“Barefoot in the Park” is about Paul and Corie Bratter who are newlyweds in every sense of the word. He’s a straight-as-an-arrow lawyer and she’s a free spirit always looking for the latest kick. Their new apartment is her most recent find- too expensive with bad plumbing and in need of a paint job. After a six-day honeymoon, they get a surprise visit from Corie’s loopy mother and decide to play matchmaker during a dinner with their neighbor-in-the-attic Velasco, where everything that can go wrong, does.

Those interested can also catch a screening of the movie based on the book on Feb. 14 in the McDowell Center (MC) room MC100 from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The book discussion will take place Wednesday, Feb. 16, in the Liberal Arts building (LA), room 200 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.. 

Pageturners Book Club is open to all Schoolcraft students, staff, faculty, and administrators. Discussions are hosted and facilitated by students. 

“It is our hope that participants will take the time to savor an occasion where they can take a little ‘me time’ to explore new worlds or see things from someone else’s eyes, see how those experiences connect to their own, and respectfully share their ideas, beliefs, and opinions with fellow readers in a friendly environment,” says Schell and Pricer.

If you still can’t get enough of this book, come watch the live performance of “Barefoot in the Park” performed by the Schoolcraft Theatre Department inside the James R. Hartman Theatre on March 25-27 or April 1-2. Details on tickets and times will be available closer to performance date.

“Nomadland”

March’s book selection is Jessica Bruder’s “Nomadland.”

A movie screening of this book will take place from 1:30 to 4 p.m. in MC 100 followed by a book discussion on March 30 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Liberal Arts 200.

Please note that the club will be adhering to Schoolcraft’s Covid-19 policies, and masks will be mandatory. 

“The goal of Pageturners is to provide interested individuals with the ability to take time for themselves to read a good book and join in a lively, engaging discussion with others who are willing to share their perspectives and connections to that month’s selection,” says Schell and Pricer.

Anyone who needs an excuse to pick up a good book and hear the insights of their peers will be able to do so and freely discuss their own thoughts at the Pageturners Book club. 

Pageturner’s Writing and Art Awards

The Pageturners are also hosting a contest this semester for students interested in writing or art. They will be accepting submissions for pieces based on the selected novels this semester, and are offering a $250 cash prize each for one art contest and one writing contest. Contest deadline is April 4, 2022.

Qualifications are as follows: