'Gone through life together': How a rural N.S. book club became a support network

When Dan and Jacinta william harvey moved to the rural Nova Scotia community of interests of Berwick in 1996, they often talked most starting a rule book bludgeon.

The Harveys chatted with friends about the books on their nightstands, but the club never got off the ground. Then the couple was struck by tragedy.

“Our eldest son passed away from a heart attack,” Dan told Information Morning Nova Scotia in a recent interview.

"That kind of obviously jolted us and said, you know, life is short and it's time to get on with it and do things now while you can.”

After their son's death in 2005, the Harveys opened their doors to friends and casual acquaintances alike. The club members meet over drinks and snacks to discuss books and life.

And while the group has gone from meeting ten times a year to a more relaxed five or six, the connection between members has only deepened.

When the couple's middle son, Andrew, also died of a heart attack five years ago, the Harveys said it was the book club that gave them comfort and support. 

Other members have gone through personal lows and highs of their own, like losing spouses and being diagnosed with illnesses. The Harveys say the club has helped them through those times.

“Over the years... We've all kind of gone through life together, both the joys and in the sufferings that is life,” said Dan.

The club selects from a broad variety of books, normally presented by other members.

The Berwick Book Club also sometimes does themes – like happy books or local authors. The Harveys say that encourages them to read books that are outside of their radar.

“We have learned a lot about books that I would never read. Some of them I hate, some of them I love. But it certainly broadened our horizons,” said Jacinta Harvey.

One time, when the club read Right Ho, Jeeves, by P. G. Wodehouse, club members went all out with costumes. 

“The guys were in tuxedos and the women were in long gowns and we had fake cigarettes and things and we met in a nice older home and that was hilarious. It was fun,” she said.

Another time, when they read the 1952 novel East of Eden by John Steinbeck, they made matching cocktails, also named East of Eden.

Dan and Jacinta are both happy to have made friends along the way who share their love for books, and also a support network.

The club will have their next meeting at the Harvey home on Saturday.

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