Minnetonka Book Club Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Long before Oprah jumped on the book club bandwagon, Minnetonka resident Dorothy Buckman started a neighborhood book club. The year was 1986.

While Buckman’s club may not have followers across the nation like the talk-show phenom’s, since its beginning Buckman’s club has grown to include nearly 50 women, all from this Minnetonka neighborhood just off County Road 101 – all neighborhood newcomers receive a flier in their mailbox inviting them to attend.

A diverse crew of new and old members, young and "older," the women of “book club” make up an intelligent and jovial group, obviously fond of each other’s company, knowledgeable of each other’s stories, and eager to maintain strong friendships with one another.

The group convenes weekly to enjoy good books, good conversation, and good food. In late June, the club celebrated its 25th anniversary with flowers, balloons, cake, chocolate-covered strawberries, and toasts of champagne.

The club, which doesn’t actually have an official title but which is instead known as simply “book club,’ has been central to the neighborhood, and not just for good reads. It’s also served as a primary means for community bonding. 

That’s not to say the club hasn’t enjoyed a variety of genres all the same. They’ve indulged in novels, in Norton Anthologies, in nonfictions, and in biographies. Their latest read was Jonathan Franzen’s modern fiction, “Freedom.” It didn’t get high marks in the readers’ circle.

“I like Jonathan Franzen!” said member Stephanie Bordani, defending the choice. 

But her fellow readers remarked that they weren’t fond of his crude writing style. Bordani said that’s what she loves about him, and stated that her favorite was Franzen’s “The Corrections.”

Some members read half of each book and come for the company; others read everything diligently. But it doesn’t matter. The women say the best part about reading books with the group is hearing what others have to say. They benefit from each other’s different, or sometimes clashing, opinions. 

On top of page turning, the book club’s social calendar is always filled.

A couple of weeks ago the neighborhood held its annual pig roast. There is always a driveway party or two in the fall, an annual Halloween Party, the aforementioned Christmas Party, occasionally a New Year’s Eve party, and a yearly "Think Spring" party in March.

“…with a few more tucked in between, and of course, graduation parties as all of our children reach that milestone!” said Zechmann.   

Holiday traditions are never missed. Christmas, for example, is a big ordeal for the club, and not just for its superabundance of cookies.  

“December is special, as we sing Christmas Carols and eat appetizers and visit the entire evening.  We have a couple of talented pianists who accompany us. We even have enough songbooks for each member. It is really a FUN evening! Very well attended!” said member Kim Zechmann, who hosted the anniversary party, of one of the club’s favorite holiday extravaganzas.

That said, “book club” is as much if not more for socializing as it is for reading. The women have been through a lot together, from divorces to cancer to career changes. 

Their book club has been the perfect way for them to stay connected to each other and each other’s families, which is why they celebrated 25 years of good books, great neighbors and dear friends.