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Home > Archive > Feb 21, 2008

Invitation Extended to St. George Book-Lovers
By Elizabeth Brown
A new kind of book club is taking shape in downtown St. George. Called an “Open Book Talk,” the monthly event is hosted by The Book Cellar at 130 N. Main St.
“We wanted to do something a little bit different,” said Margi La Porte, of The Book Cellar. “The whole idea is, rather than one book that everybody is reading together, we invite people to come and talk about any book they want.”
The Open Book Talk is open to everyone, of all ages and interests, the only requirement being a love of reading and a desire to share that enjoyment with others.
“It’s kind of a free flow of information,” La Porte said. “If you read something, or you have questions about something, you can share whatever’s on your mind.”
“There is a wide range of themes and possibilities related to a series of book talks,” discussion leader Cindy Everitt said. “I am looking forward to meeting a segment of Southern Utah’s population with like interests and shared ideas.”
Everitt, a retired librarian, has a master’s degree in library science from BYU and years of professional experience as an elementary school teacher and a librarian at universities in New Mexico, Texas, Arizona and Utah. She has also led various other literary discussion groups.
“Cindy has vast experience,” La Porte said, “and her knowledge about every kind of book, literature, whatever, is amazing. She’s qualified to lead a discussion on almost any topic that someone could bring up.
“It will be fun to have someone with her knowledge and enthusiasm guide an open book discussion and mold our Open Book Talk.”
The first Open Book Talk was in January, and La Porte said the group had a lively discussion on a number of topics, including local authors, classic literature, and various books that the participants were currently reading.
“The meeting lasted two hours,” La Porte said. “It went longer than we had planned because they got so excited about what they were talking about! I was pleasantly surprised at the enthusiasm and excitement level of the people who came.”
The enthusiastic group also hatched ideas for future Open Book Talks, such as discussing movies that are based on books, visiting historic locations around St. George, and learning about resources available to the community at the Dixie State College library.
“It kind of evolved into a little bit more than just talking,” La Porte said with a laugh.
That ability to evolve due to lack of restrictions is one aspect of the Open Book Talk that La Porte seems to value highly.
“It’s free-flow,” she said. “It’s not a class where you sign up. You don’t have to register. You can come in the middle or leave in the middle. If you want to participate and bring up topics, that’s great.
“If you just want to sit back and observe, and hopefully walk away with some knowledge, or make new friends – that works too. Experience it at your own level.”
The Open Book Talk is just one of many community events sponsored by The Book Cellar. Others include free Tai Chi classes, monthly women’s seminars presented by a local therapist, weekly book signings by local authors, and special events such as a Zion Canyon Flute concert by Jesse Kalu on Valentine’s Day.
“All of these events are open to the community, and they’re all diverse,” La Porte said.
Another community effort The Book Cellar is involved in is Buy Local First, a grassroots non-profit organization that encourages Utah consumers to shop at locally owned stores. As the St. George contact for Buy Local First, La Porte encourages small business owners to register at localfirst.org and become part of a directory of locally owned businesses.
The Book Cellar, which has been in business a little more than a year, specializes in hardcover used books and books by local authors, and offers a paperback book exchange. The store also sells antiques, which are part of its décor and help create its unique atmosphere.
“It is an experience to come here because there is so much to look at,” La Porte said. “I think our selection is a little more diverse than what you’ll find at other used bookstores. Our goal is to have something for everybody.”
La Porte calls St. George “a great little downtown area,” and is excited about the Open Book Talk as another excellent way for The Book Cellar to contribute to the community.
Open Book Talk is the last Wednesday of every month, at 4 p.m., at The Book Cellar, 130 N. Main St., Suite C., in St. George. The next Open Book Talk will be Feb. 27. For more information call 652-0227.

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