A selection of books read by the Staff Forum Book Club
Stranded on Mars with little chance of rescue, relentlessly hunted by vampires, caught in the middle of a murder mystery and subsequent cover-up conspiracy; the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) Staff Forum Book Club has been through it all. Each month, the Book Club meets to rehash the adventures they faced throughout the last book, eat themed snacks appropriate to the novel, and get to know fellow staff members from other departments within the School.
The Book Club first met in January of 2014, to discuss the #1 bestselling novel turned motion picture, Gone Girl. Since then, they have met each month and have read a vast array of books—fiction and non-fiction alike—spanning such genres as science fiction, thriller, horror, biographical fiction, history, and even a graphic novel.
“The Staff Forum Book Club has been a pleasure in several ways,” said Assistant Director of Publications and Media Relations Ms. Julia Bookout. “I have enjoyed getting to know colleagues whom I don’t usually have the opportunity to connect with, and it has greatly improved my long commute—I listen to audio versions of the books to alleviate the tedium of the drive. And on top of those benefits, they serve delicious snacks!”
Meetings are typically held on the first Wednesday of each month from 12–1 p.m. At each meeting, Book Club members vote on the next book they will read. Everyone in attendance has a say in what the group will read next.
“The staff forum book club is something I look forward to every month. Not only has it helped me to broaden my literary horizons, but it has enabled me to really engage with my fellow staff members,” said Research Administrative Assistant Ms. Heather Goss, who runs the Book Club. “It is a social platform which facilitates the sharing of ideas, meeting new people, reading new genres… and there are snacks!”
The current book selection is The Farm, by Tom Rob Smith, a psychological thriller brimming with deceit and suspicion where a son must take sides between his father and mother—with deadly serious consequences.
The Staff Forum, which started the Book Club, came about as a recommendation under Goal 6 of the Applied Strategic Plan, is a platform for staff to discuss issues and concerns relevant to staff members, and to establish and maintain a formal system of two way communication with the GSDM Executive Committee. The Staff Forum is responsible for other activities such as staff bowling nights, a walking club, and an annual Halloween party.
All staff members are welcome to join the Book Club meetings. Stay tuned for an announcement on next month’s selection. If you have any questions, contact Heather Goss by email at heatgoss@bu.edu.