JARRETT GOODMAN
Staff Writer
The Carolyn Stewart Public Library in Jasper recently hosted its first book club, sponsored by the Friends of the Library organization.
Library Director Ann Gray, along with Milly Echeverria of Friends of the Library and several community members, gathered for the club’s first meeting to discuss The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. The novel tells the story of Martha Ballard, a widow and midwife who defies the justice system while investigating a mysterious death linked to a rape case. The book is based on the real-life diary of Ballard, whose historical account is well known for its insight into life in the late 1700s—a time when women were expected to remain silent and submissive under prevailing social norms. She was also well renowned in history not only for her work as a midwife but also for questioning the legal system, in addition to being an advocate for women within her community.
During the meeting, Echeverria posed a series of discussion questions focused on key plot points and themes from the book, encouraging attendees to share their interpretations and reactions to the story. For example, the attendees discussed what surprised them the most regarding the character’s depiction and of the 1789 time period. They also discussed as to the reasoning why Ballard kept a diary detailing her work as a midwife.
At the beginning of the meeting, Echeverria shared that Friends of the Library hopes to expand the initiative by establishing book clubs at Whitwell’s Orena Humphreys Public Library and South Pittsburg’s Beene Pearson Public Library. A preliminary survey was conducted to gauge interest, identify preferred book genres, and determine the best time and day for monthly meetings.
The Carolyn Stewart book club will meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 10 a.m., with the next gathering scheduled for Tuesday, June 17. A sign-up sheet is currently placed at the front desk of the library for those interested in joining the book club, with membership of the program being limited to 12 participants. The upcoming discussion will center on The Huntress by Kate Quinn. Friends of the Library are also continuing their efforts to expand the book club program across all of Marion County’s public libraries.
