If you’re like most people, the last time you read a book that was assigned to you and then discussed it with a large group was when you were in school. For most, not the fondest memories.

For a growing number of people, though, doing just that is the definition of a good time.

For those who join book clubs, reading books they wouldn’t necessarily have chosen for themselves isn’t a chore, but an opportunity to grow while in a social setting. And for at least one energetic local group, to also eat, drink and dress in character.

“Book clubs really broaden your horizons, because you just never know about a book until you read it. It just adds an extra dimension to your life. It keeps your brain active and gives you adult conversations,” said Kathy Lawrence, a Lewiston mother of two.

Lawrence has been a member of the same book club for the last 17 years. The club started in the mid-1990s as an outgrowth of the Friends of the Lewiston Public Library.

Affiliated with the library at first, the group sought new members by advertising the group through the city’s adult education program. Over time, though, a core group solidified.

“No matter how much these folks bent over backward to try to accommodate new people, they had bonded so much that it became difficult for anyone new to feel comfortable in the group,” said Rick Speer, director of the Lewiston Public Library, who was instrumental in starting and promoting the club in its early years.

That group, which is quite possibly the oldest ongoing book club in the area, is still going strong, with about nine members, both male and female. Attendees come from a variety of professions and backgrounds. In addition to Lawrence, who is a stay-at-home mom, there is a doctor, a nurse, a teacher, a therapist, an accountant, a biologist and others.

Lawrence said the variety of perspectives makes discussions richer.

“If there are medical issues in a book, we can ask the doctor: ‘Does this ring true?’” she said.

Judy Gervais, another longtime member of the club, agrees. In particular, she believes that being co-ed is part of the secret to the club’s longevity.

“I like having men in the group because we don’t get stuck on just reading chick books all the time,” said Gervais, who prefers to read murder mysteries, but enjoys trying things outside of her comfort zone.

“There are always going to be books that won’t appeal to you, but that makes the discussion better. If everyone just says ‘I love this book!’ you don’t have anywhere to go from there.”

Discussion, dress-up and drinks

For members of Ladies, Literature, and Libations, a local book club for women in primarily in their 30s and early 40s, though, having a somewhat homogeneous group, at least in terms of age and gender, allows for more openness when discussing aspects of books that resonate on a deeply personal level.

A few months ago, the group read the novel “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn, about a young wife in a difficult marriage who suddenly disappears under apparently violent circumstances. While discussing the book, which raises unsettling questions about how well anyone can really know his or her spouse, attendees were able to open up about thoughts and feelings surrounding their own relationships, something which member Megan Emery said would have been difficult in a co-ed group.

The club isn’t all group therapy all the time, though. As their name suggests, Ladies, Literature and Libations also tries to inject an element of fun into every discussion, with themed costumes, decorations, meals, cupcakes and, yes, cocktails.

When the group read the romantic Victorian fantasy “The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern, that month’s host decorated her home in black and red, like the circus tents described in the book, and guests dressed up in steampunk-inspired garb.

When the group read the wildly popular erotic novel “50 Shades of Grey” by E.L. James, members dressed in suits and ties like the titular character, domineering businessman Christian Grey.

And when they read Suzanne Collins’ dystopian young adult trilogy “The Hunger Games,” in which 24 teenagers are forced to fight to the death . . . well, the details are murky, but everyone did make it home alive that night.

“It’s always cool to see what people come up with. Sometimes we’re up until 2 or 3 in the morning, and going until after midnight is definitely our norm,” said Emery, who works in the children’s room at Lewiston Public Library.

For all of the fun they have together, though, the ladies definitely give due diligence to actually discussing the books.

“I was looking for a book group. I’ve always wanted to join one, and I was definitely looking for people I could really talk about books with. I love reading, so that is central,” said Emery.

Gervais agrees, adding that she has been in book clubs in the past that didn’t work out because members viewed them purely as social clubs.

“It’s hard to have a book club with a bunch of your friends. You don’t focus on the book. I’ve been in book clubs where a lot of people don’t even finish the book and then say things like ‘Don’t give away the ending! I’m still reading it.’ That just doesn’t work, and those clubs don’t last very long,” said Gervais.

Those kinds of dynamics are at the center of an upcoming production at The Public Theatre in Lewiston.

“The Book Club Play,” by playwright Karen Zacarias, runs from Oct. 19 through 28. The action follows members of a book club who become the focus of a documentary.

Though a book club may not sound like a setting that lends itself to high drama, promotional materials for the show describe it as “’Lord of the Flies’ with wine and dip.”

Amusing mental images aside, Public Theatre creative director Janet Mitchko said the play explores some deep human territory.

“The play itself is really about friendship, and about how books can change people’s lives. People have passionate views about books, which makes them a really nice jumping off point to discuss your thoughts and opinions about the whole range of human experience.”

Lawrence thinks so too.

“Everyone should be reading. Being able to step into other people’s experiences just gives you a different perspective in life.”

Want to join a book club?

In addition to starting your own book club, both Lewiston and Auburn libraries have book club events taking place.

On Sunday, Oct. 21, at 2 p.m., Lewiston Public Library will host a special event dedicated to promoting book clubs, in its Callahan Hall. This will be the first time in more than 17 years that the library has worked to actively facilitate the creation of new book discussion groups in the Lewiston-Auburn area.

“We get inquiries all the time from people wanting to know ‘Are there any book clubs in the area? How can I join one?’ And the trouble is, we are aware of some book clubs, but most aren’t open to new people, so we weren’t able to help these people,” said Speer, with the Lewiston Public Library.

Book Club Day will be a time for anyone who has ever thought about joining a book club to make it happen.

The library has created a survey to gauge interest in book clubs in the area, and will use the data it collects to create as many book clubs as needed to match up area people with clubs custom made to meet their interests and availability.

Speer said each club will be made up of between 7 and 12 people and can be as general or specialized as participants desire them to be.

“We may find that there’s enough interest to create a club for people who only want to read science fiction and meet in the early mornings before work,” he said.

Professional book reviewer William Bushnell, who writes regular columns for two national magazines and three Maine newspapers, will be on hand to talk about contemporary publishing, Maine books and books that are particularly good for book discussion groups. Bushnell is a long-time member of the National Book Critics Circle.

“Bill will provide a lot of helpful information for anyone looking for a good read,” said Speer.

The event will also feature a variety of Web and print resources for individuals and groups looking for good books to read and discuss.

If you plan to attend Book Club Day, or even just want more information on joining a book discussion group, be sure to fill out the brief survey at www.lplonline.org/book-club-survey/. For more information call 513-3135 or email [email protected].

Also, at the Auburn Public Library, teenagers who want to join a book club can do so there, where staff launched their new book club initiative, the Teen Space Takeover, this past Friday, Oct. 12. For more information about the teen book club, call 333-6640.

Join the club

Book club-related events coming up:

— “The Book Club Play,” by playwright Karen Zacarias, runs from Oct. 19 through 28 at The Public Theatre, 31 Maple St., Lewiston, 782-3200

— Book Club Day will take place on Sunday, Oct. 21, at 2 p.m., at Lewiston Public Library, Callahan Hall, dedicated to organizing and promoting new book clubs. Professional national book reviewer William Bushnell will talk. Those interested are encouraged to first fill out a brief survey at www.lplonline.org/book-club-survey/. FMI: 513-3135 or email [email protected].

— The Auburn Public Library just launched a new book club for teenagers called Teen Space Takeover. FMI: 333-6640.