The readers and walkers talked about the book on their way to Bluff Lake Nature Center, where they continued the discussion on the trail.

A glass of wine, a comfortable chair, and a spirited conversation about a book. That image might come up when thinking about a book club, but not for a new group in Central Park that takes the story discussion on the trail.

It is fitting the walking book club was started by Central Park resident Carol Fennell, an artist and the author of the biographical book Walk: 12 Months 12 Journeys 1200 Miles.

She had noticed that book clubs or coffee dates often involved lengthy periods of time just sitting.

“I wanted to incorporate movement into those experiences,” she said. “It’s a little bit more than just exercise. When we walk, we get into deeper discussions. We connect better with one another.”

Book walks are a casual experience, and people open up. Fennell said people don’t feel like they’re on the spot to comment. Walkers are divided into small groups for more indepth discussions and switched up along the way.

The club began in May. No appointment is needed to join; readers and walkers can show up for a walk and join the conversation.

Carolyn Kelly said she drove to the meeting spot at the Central Park Recreation Center “to do something that’s healthy while we’re talking about our other favorite thing, books.”

In June, the walking readers read My Pretty Baby: Seeking Truth and Finding Healing, a memoir by Central Park author Wendy B. Correa, who joined the group. “I get to get exercise and see some beautiful nature and spend time with friends and talk about books, so that’s a win, win, win,” Correa said.

The group is also about community and meeting people. That’s what brought Lisa Gienapp there for the first time.

“I’m pretty new to the area,” she said. “We’ve only really been here three years, so I’m just working on meeting people and making connections. This is the perfect way to do it.”

(Left to right) Star Fennell, Carolyn Kelly, Wendy B. Correa, Lisa Gienapp, and Carol Fennell met outside the Central Park Recreation Center before the June walk.

At the start of the June journey, Fennell handed out sheets of questions for the group to discuss while walking the path to Bluff Lake Nature Center, where the discussion was sidelined by turtle and bird sightings and time for curiosity to prevail. The women talked, laughed, and found connection to each other through the book and their conversations.

In July, the book club will discuss The Correspondent, a novel by Virginia Evans. Fennell said 20 people have already shown interest, and anyone is welcome to join. Meet at the rec center at 9651 MLK Jr. Blvd. on July 15th at 8am. Be ready to walk and talk on a summer morning before the heat sets in.

Front Porch photos by Linda Kotsaftis