VIP Bookclub

We started our VIP (Visually Impaired) Bookclub in July 2001. Approximately 12 people meet every month at Newbury Library and chat over a cuppa. The majority of the group are over 50, and need transport to get to the group, so we are helped by Berkshire Blind Society, and Calibre cassette library in providing transport and cassettes of the chosen books, as all member are visually impaired.

The best thing is it provides an opportunity for us VIP’s to get together and take part in a mainstream activity where the common theme is books, as opposed to our disability.

All members of the group are keen and enthusiastic, and as well as discussing the book of the month, we also degenerate into other things we’ve read and enjoyed or issues about sight and other interesting stuff. Some of us didn’t read a lot before or just stuck to a few favourite authors, but now our reading horizons have been well and truly broadened!

We had a real celebration earlier this year, when a storyteller and musician, Bernard Tagliavini visited us. One of our group commented: “The wonderful part of Bernard Tagliavini’s performance was the way it was face-to-face with an audience, unlike radio and television. His performance was excellent and his diction was so clear. I think we ought to work hard to get far more of this type of performance for everyone, not just for blind people. It was a tip-top morning…”

The best thing is that it’s ‘our’ club. We get a real sense of belonging, and community spirit through meeting up every month. We would never miss it for the world. One of our members says “It is lovely to be part of the Visually-Impaired Reader’s Group at Newbury Library. It has made such a difference to my life, especially since I lost my husband last year. I really enjoy the company of all the members and all the lively discussions we have about books and other things. If someone asks me to go out with them on my VIP Reader’s day, I say “No… I’m going to the library and that’s special.”

Recent reading list:
Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire, A. Foreman
Jamaica Inn, Daphne Du Maurier
Culloden, John Prebble
500 Mile Walkies, Mark Wallington
St. Agnes Stand, Thomas Eidson
Cyclops, Clive Cussler