Cicero’s “A room without books is like a body without a soul” is a quotation that book lovers and literary enthusiasts can fully appreciate. Shelves with perfectly aligned books and wobbly stacks of novels bring character and warmth to any room.

Yet, a lack of time, a lack of motivation, and/or an absence of a reading community often get in the way of pursuing literary goals and enjoying books to their fullest. Is it a room filled with books or a room filled with stories, emotions, and knowledge from the pages within the books to which Cicero makes reference? Alexander Pope cleverly writes in his “An Epistle to the Right Honourable Richard Earl of Burlington” (1731) that book collectors may not know their books are merely blocks of wood covered in beautiful velum, since the books have never been opened or read.

It is a luxury for people to have homes filled with books at the ready. Public libraries, such as the Calgary Public Library’s twenty-two locations, provide a boundless number of books for all who are interested in pursuing literature. Libraries also offer many services, programs, and events. It is not necessary for books to permanently inhabit a room in order for one to be a reader.

The Calgary Women’s Literary Club is an option for those who want to learn more about literature, discuss books with like-minded people, and become motivated to read various authors and genres. Unlike other book clubs, CWLC members are not required to read a new book every month. Instead, at every meeting, one member presents on an author of choice based on a predetermined, yearly theme. This year’s theme has been “Irish Writers”–presentations have been informative, hilarious, sobering, and always thought-provoking.

The CWLC meets every Tuesday afternoon in the months of October/November and March/April at the Memorial Park Library. Our club consists of thirty intelligent, kind, and dedicated women who inspire one another to be curious and confident readers. Members are required to present a paper every other year, regularly attend meetings, and pay a small membership fee. Guests and prospective new members are always welcome. Guests may attend three meetings prior to joining the club.

For more information or to attend the first meeting of the Spring 2025 session on Tuesday, March 4th, please click HERE.

Whether it is dusting off your stacks of books, taking your first steps into a library, or attending a CWLC meeting, the CWLC wishes you the very best with your 2025 literary pursuits.

Posted by Mooréa G.