Ileen Gotteseld’s Unusual Proposals

Ileen Gottesfeld has been leading successful book discussion groups for many years; most recently at the Larchmont Public Library. Beginning Wednesday, April 5 at 10:00am, Ileen returns to the Larchmont Library to lead UNUSUAL PROPOSALS, an in-depth discussion that examines situations causing the characters in the novels to make life-changing decisions when offered unusual proposals. Ms. Gottesfeld has selected three novels that will spark engaging discussion and question what might the reader do if faced with similar circumstances. The selected novels and their respective discussion dates are:

• April 5: OUR SOULS AT NIGHT by Kent Haruf
• April 26: THE CHILDREN ACT by Ian McEwan
• May 17: THE DOOR by Magda Szabo

Born in Brooklyn, NY, Ileen moved to Larchmont, NY, a little over forty years ago. She has had a life-long need to read and by the age of 7 was already a voracious reader. “When I was very young, my dad would bring library books home for me and I would finish them in a day or two”, she said. “After reading most of the books in the children’s section of the library, I moved on to the books in the adult section”. She read all of the books by Pearl S. Buck and many other writers whom she loved. According to Gottesfeld, “books have been my life-long companions”.

Gottesfeld also realized early in life that she wanted to teach. “I always knew I would be a teacher”, she said. “I loved school. Friday’s made me sad because I would have two days without my favorite place: the school classroom”. Her passion for reading and of literature, as well as her love of children, is what propelled her to a thirty-eight year teaching career where she taught English for fourteen years in New York City schools and for another 24 years at Mamaroneck High School. Now retired from the classroom, Ileen continues to teach by sharing her passion for literature with those in the community. She is delighted that quite often her book discussions are attended by people she taught in school.

Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger is Gottesfeld’s favorite book. According to Gottesfled, “This book has turned so many people on to literature. It is a book that makes us look at the world carefully and shows us that the person we might think is odd ‘sees’ better than those that are so-called ‘normal’”. She also believes that the book inspires respect for children and how they view the world. “They sometimes see so much more than adults!” she said.

But it takes more than a passion for people and literature to keep a viable book discussion going. According to Gottesfeld, “A leader must bring background information to the discussion and that requires research. Doing the research and bringing planned questions and topics to the group will inspire and encourage the members to actively participate”. She continues, “I love the interaction of the people who attend my discussion groups. The life experiences they bring spark wonderful exchanges”.

Gottesfeld’s love of reading is constantly in forward motion. While she does have her favorites from years passed, she is always on the lookout for something new. “It astounds me that there is always something new to write about. When you think everything has been said by previously published authors, new books come along that are unique and gripping and that mirror today’s world. That is not to say that new books are better or more relevant than older books. Today’s writers will often write about old stories - the Holocaust, for example - and I applaud them for keeping history alive”.

Copies of the books for the three discussion sessions that comprise UNUSUAL PROPOSALS are available in the library’s Reference Room four weeks prior to each discussion. Gottesfeld’s book discussions draw large crowds, so early arrival is suggested.