Lustful, enticing tales of sex was the discussion for the first meeting of the Exotic, Erotic Summer Reading Club for Women.
The three friends, who jokingly created the club, said despite what the name implies, the club is evolving from exotic tales to more off-beat books.
“This is not a dirty book club,” mass communications senior Monique Thomas said.
Thomas collaborated with Marta Bell, visual merchandise coordinator for the University’s bookstore, and biological science senior Cassie Thibodeaux to create the Exotic, Erotic Summer Reading club for Women.
The club, which started in May 2003, began as a joke when Thomas suggested that Bell and Thibodeaux read “The Sexual Life of Catherine M”- a novel about the serial sexual escapades of French art critic Catherine Millet.
Thomas said when she started the book, she thought she could live vicariously through the author.
She also said she was repulsed after she began reading the novel.
“I felt bad [for recommending it], because it was such a horrible book,” Thomas said. “I was repulsed.”
The three women agreed they hated the book.
Despite their hate for their first book, Bell said the bookstore sold nine copies of it after their first meeting.
Bell said the club was a joint effort of all three women.
They all read the book, Bell said. She called the Women’s Center to see if it would serve as a meeting spot for the club.
Amber Vlasnik said the center does not sponsor the club.
Thomas said even though she suggested the club’s first book, she felt Bell was the leader because she “had everything mapped out.”
Despite everything Bell did, the women said Thibodeaux was responsible for naming their group.
Thibodeaux said the name popped into her head while she was standing in the Union’s Starbucks’ Cafe.
The three women said the name was simply a joke, and they laughed when they heard it.
Thomas said the name can be a bit misleading.
People tend to think the club is about women reading dirty books, Thomas said. The name also has contributed to negative responses the club receives.
Thomas said some people tear up the club’s fliers and make distrubing remarks.
She said many people fail to realize the club is really about women getting together and sharing what they enjoy.
She also said the club is for women of all ages to discuss a wide variety of topics.
Both Bell and Thibodeaux said open-mindedness is necessary, because open discussion is a huge part of their club.
“There are no boundaries to what we will discuss,” Bell said.
Bell also said the club is in the process of evolving, and incorporating other genres of literature.
The club is not restricted to erotic novels, she said. People can suggest different types of books to read.
Bell said some of the members of the club have suggested science fiction books and they plan to read “The Rabbit Howling”-a book about the author’s struggle with split personalities.
Thibodeaux said the first meeting of the club provided a comofortable setting for their discussions.
“[The club] is fun. I am married and closed up at home with a guy,” Thibodeaux said. “It’s good to be with a lot of women.”
Initially the club was started only for women, Bell said. Males might find it to be too titillating.
Yet, Bell said they will discuss the possibility of allowing males to join their club.
Bell said the club will be discussing Anne Rice’s novel “The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty”- a novel about the erotic, passionate aftermath of the classic Disney tale- at their next meeting.
According to the Women’s Center Website, the club will meet at 5:15 p.m. on Thursday.