MEXICO – In the conference room of the Mexico Public Library on Wednesday night, nine avid readers were discussing “The Five People You Meet in Heaven” by Mitch Albom.

Librarian Valerie Messana led the female-dominated group. The lone male was Norbert Rose.

The short book, which several people had read in one sitting, prompted comments and discussions over its content as well as the philosophy the author was trying to project. Several teachers voiced their feelings of how the book affected them: “No life is a waste.” “All lives intersect.” “Life is based on everything you are doing.” “Everything happens for a reason.”

They agreed there were many life lessons in the book. One said it changed their idea of heaven from floating around on a white cloud in a white gown.

The choice of the book-of-the-month is made by members bringing in something they have read or bought to read. A consensus is taken before ordering the next book for discussion.

Next month the group, organized by former librarian Michelle Boucher-Ladd and Cindy Welch four years ago, will discuss “The Buffalo Soldier” by Chris Bohjalian.

Bohjalian won the New England Booksellers Association fiction award.