One more page; Book club keeps members coming back for more

Photo By Master Sgt. Blair Heusdens | The Guantanamo Bay Book Club meets monthly to discuss books on a chosen topic, March 20. The topic for March was 'Cuba' and the group met for dinner and discussion aboard the Gitmo Queen. Joint Task Force Guantanamo conducts safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees, including those convicted by military commission and those ordered released. The JTF conducts intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination for the protection of detainees and personnel working in JTF Guantanamo facilities and in support of the Global War on Terror. JTF Guantanamo provides support to the Office of Military Commissions, to law enforcement and to war crimes investigations. The JTF conducts planning for and, on order, responds to Caribbean mass migration operations.  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

03.27.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Emily McCamy 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba– Each month, members from Joint Task Force Guantanamo and U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay come together to discuss literary works and enjoy a meal with fellow avid readers.

Since the group is small and resources aren't always available on-island, the book club chooses a different topic each month, explained Christopher Creighton, a member of the book club. Members can read any book they choose about that topic. This month, the topic was Cuba.

Members chose a variety of books from "Ghosts of Guantanamo," to "Havana Bay," and then shared what they read with the other participants.

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Clifton Guo joined the book club as a way to spend time during his deployment.

"It turns out I really like it," Guo said. "I enjoy the discussions and can learn about different books in one meeting."

The club, which began meeting late last summer, was initiated by the base librarian who had just arrived at Guantanamo Bay.

"I was new here and wanted to get a book club started," said Lenore Garder, the base librarian. "We combine a meal and talk informally about books."

Subject selection rotates among members. Past genres include humor, the immigrant experience, and mystery and biography novels. Next month, the reading selection is anything from the "Best books of 2008" list published by Amazon.com.

• Date Taken: 03.27.2009
• Date Posted: 04.03.2009 15:00
• Story ID: 31988
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU