ESO is an honorary reading sorority sponsored by the General Federation of Women's Clubs.  Membership is open to every GFWC clubwoman who chooses to participate in a guided reading program or other prescribed avenues of self-improvement and personal growth. 

Membership in ESO is achieved by earning 20 points from the booklists. Advanced levels of achievement are gained by earning additional points from reading and reporting books or engaging in other educational activities as described below.

PLEDGE status is awarded for 5 books read from the ESO list, or from any list of previous years. (You can download the list below)

MEMBER status is awarded for 20 books read (4 from each of 4 different categories, and 4 "free choice" from any of the categories) chosen from this list, or any previous list. (eligible for ESO member pin)

STAR status is awarded after 50 points from booklists or other activities. (eligible for Star certificate)

TORCH status is awarded after 80 points from booklists or other activities. (eligible for Torch pin)

CENTURY status is awarded after 100 points from booklists or other activities. (eligible for Century certificate)

Once the Century level is achieved, book points are not limited to the booklists; any book read and reported qualifies for a point.  Each additional 100 points earns the Century member another Century award.

Other ways to earn ESO points:

Complete an extension, correspondence, online, educational TV, DVD or software course - 1 point
Complete a full term, continuing education  course - 5 points
Complete a course in Parliamentary Law - 5 points
             ( e.g. www.parliamentaryprocedure.org/education.htm)
Attend an Elderhostel  Program (www.elderhostel.org) -  5 points
Take part in a regular book discussion group (start one in your club!) - 5 points
Take part in a Great Decisions Discussions Group - 10 points
            (www.fpa.org/info-url_nocat4705/info-url_nocat_list.htm)
Tutor a non-reader as part of a literacy program  (www.lvm.org) - 5 points

Current and previous lists can be obtained by contacting the ESO Chairman.  Help in locating other improvement opportunities, such as literacy volunteer programs or in starting a Great Decisions Group is also offered by the chairman.

The club reporting the greatest number of participants in ESO in General and Junior Clubs is given an award.  Recognition will also be awarded to the club with the highest percent participation in ESO.

All reports of reading and other activity must be received by March 1, 2007 in order to be eligible for proper recognition.  Please look for a link to report forms on the GFWC of Massachusetts website soon.  Reports will be accepted by hard copy, email or online. 

Ladies, we know you all are readers and learners!  Please participate and report so that we can show the world in our national report what great women readers live in Massachusetts!            ENJOY!

Many books fit more than one category.  If you feel the need to use a book in a different category than that to which it was assigned, I will accept a reasonable request to do so.  Many books by local authors, or on local topics are not in the "Local" category, but I have made a note in their listing so that you know they can be used in "Local" instead, if you wish.

I hope you all will explore the many categories in this list.  There are an incredible number of interesting books out there!  Hopefully the descriptions will make you want to try something a little bit different, and maybe even challenging!