Reading along with Nick DiMartino

About two years ago, University Book Store employee Nick DiMartino started a monthly book club he called Nick's Book Club. The club meets on the last Monday of each month to discuss a book of DiMartino's choosing.

DiMartino's book club was started when he worked on the promotion of one book each month for the bookstore. He said it wasn't much of a leap to discuss the book he chose to promote.

"Hot books come out each month and I try to give them the promotion they deserve," he said.

Books discussed each month are contemporary fiction. DiMartino explained that he tries to pick books with some controversy or in which an alternate opinion is presented.

"Getting people to think is a very high goal," he explained, referring to the book discussions. "I try to discuss books that have some content, relevance, importance."

In addition, many of DiMartino's picks have an international theme because, he said, he tries to keep the topic open to everybody.

The discussions, DiMartino said, are effortless. He starts each discussion by giving everybody a chance to talk about the book at hand, and the conversation continues from there.

"When you love books, it's very easy to talk about them. I try to provoke people to lay their cards on the table," he said.

DiMartino, who graduated from the UW, is no stranger to the world of words; as a student, he began a career of writing with The Daily. He continued with journalism briefly, working for The Seattle Times, until he found his real passion: fiction.

Books are an integral part of DiMartino's life. He has worked for the University Book Store for 30 years, and works as a writer besides.

DiMartino has published three novels. One, titled University Ghost Story, is set on the UW campus. He has also written 20 plays that have been producedon stage.

In the book club, DiMartino has found kindred spirits who share his love of books. He said he has some members come virtually every single month, while others show up only every now and then.

Everyone on campus is welcome to attend a session of Nick's Book Club -- the only requirements are to have read the assigned book and come willing to discuss it with an open mind.

A week before each month's meeting, DiMartino sends an e-mail to club members reminding them of the meeting and highlighting next month's book. Those interested can sign up for the e-mail list at each month's discussion.

DiMartino's monthly book choice is discounted at 20 percent by the University Book Store.

Details about Nick's Book Club came be found on the University Book Store's web site at http://www.bookstore.washington.edu. Additionally, DiMartino encourages all members of the University community to stop by the HUB branch of the bookstore where he works and inquire about the book club.