Sally Vandeberghe is a lifetime reader and book lover. She's been part of the Roughreaders Book Club for over 24 years.A former marketing copywriter, then stay-home mom, Sally currently works for Integrated Windows as a Hunter Douglas window covering designer. She's always got at least a dozen books on her nightstand and a stack of sticky-flags to mark her favorite passages.

My favorite book is Life of Pi by Yann Martel

How she connects through books:

Our mish-mash group of ladies has formed strong friendships through the monthly discussion of books. While the book club started with a group of friends, the Roughreaders quickly added co-workers, neighbors and other book lovers to the mix. You quickly get to know people on a deeper level when you discuss how a book moved your heart or how you identified with a courageous or broken character. We've discussed everything from faith to friendship through the years, by way of books. I also frequently connect with clients through books. While visiting in their home, I'll notice a book on a side table or bookshelf that I've read and it's an instant topic of conversation. Books simply bring people together!

Theodore Wheeler is the author of three novels, including the USA Today bestseller The War Begins in Paris (Little Brown, 2023) and the Amazon bestseller Kings of Broken Things (Little A, 2017). He has won fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, Nebraska Arts Council, and Akademie Schloss Solitude in Stuttgart, Germany. For fourteen years Theodore worked as a journalist who covered law and politics, including the last two presidential elections, and he now teaches creative writing in the English Department at Creighton University. He is also director of Omaha Lit Fest and, with his wife, operates Dundee Book Company, an independent neighborhood bookshop. Learn more about him at theodore-wheeler.com.

My favorite book is Speculations About Jakob by Uwe Johnson.

How he connects through books: For the last three summers my bookshop has hosted readings in the backyard behind our shop. It's a great time to hear other writers in the area read their work, but also has a social function. We started in May 2021, after a big Covid surge. For many people, it was their first time out in public, which gave the series a lot of meaning from the start.

Jacqelle Lane, M. Ed., a certified DEIB specialist, is a dedicated educator with endorsements in English and English as a Second Language. As the author of "From Bully to Bestie" and "Every Child Matters!", she guides students and educators on navigating bullying and fostering resilience. Jacqelle hosts "Education with an Edge," a podcast on youth and suicide prevention. Formerly a fellow at the Nebraska State Education Association, she advocates for diversity and inclusion. Jacqelle currently serves as Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusivity & Continuous Quality Improvement at the Omaha Children's Museum.

What is your favorite book?

One of my favorite books is "To Kill a Mockingbird".

Can you give an example or two of times you've connected with others through books?

Absolutely! When I introduced my sixth-grade students to "The Giver," the story's themes sparked thoughtful conversations and reflections. Exploring the dystopian world of the book together created a shared experience that deepened our classroom connections and allowed us to explore complex ideas and perspectives. Books have this incredible ability to bring people together and foster meaningful discussions.