Book Discussion in a Furniture Store as Comfy As You’d Expect—And Then Some

From the moment visitors wound their way to the back room at Toms Price Furniture Store in Wheaton Thursday night, they could smell it: A warm, crusty loaf baking in a bread maker. It was heavenly.   

As each guest arrived at around 7 p.m., Sandy Koropp greeted them, offered them a drink, some cheese and bread, and made them feel right at home.  

All of that—and the big comfy seats provided by Toms Price—set the tone for a relaxed but thought-provoking evening. 

The event, a discussion about the book, Masterminds and Wingmen by Rosalind Wiseman, provided an opportunity for parents of teen boys to learn and share just what makes their sons tick. There were some laughs, some serious moments, but all felt comfortable enough to open up and relate their personal experiences with their own boys. 

Koropp is the co-owner of Prairie Path Books, which is on the map in Wheaton as a purveyor of events and activities. The little enclave soon will be known for even more, as it becomes a small bookstore within Toms Price, at 303 E. Front St., this summer. For about three months, Prairie Path Books was a traveling bookstore, a sure sign of its owners' dedication and passion for books and for sharing them. 

On this dreary February evening, even rain and wind couldn't keep participants away. They settled into their overstuffed chairs and began to share stories and opinions. 

There was plenty to talk about. The book’s central theme is how to stay connected to our sons once they move into “boy world,” with all its rules and limits on how to act like a man. Wiseman delves into ways to get boys to open up, the reasons they lie, dealing with conflict and anger management, the roles boys take on, what to do when they drop a "bad news bomb" and more. 

The dads in the group related their own experiences as teens. Evidently, things really haven't changed all that much since the '70s.  

Karen Laveen and her husband shared in the discussion. After it was over, she said she felt like the setting at Toms Price was conducive to a more deep and engaging conversation. 

"I think the setting here brought out a much more comfortable tone that wouldn’t have existed in any other setting, except maybe in someone's home," she said. 

Beyond that, the group provided comfort in knowing her concerns are shared by others, she said. They know their sons are going to be OK, but "we want to make sure we have that foundation to get them there."  

These topics are so thought-provoking, Koropp said she is thinking about continuing the discussion at a future time or adding another group. There's really too much to fit into an hour and a half, she said.  

“For her book, Wiseman collected candid opinions of what 160 boys thought about all the issues of their world, including video games, girls, body types and social media," she said. "Reading it is like being a fly on the wall of your son’s mind and what he’s thinking. She helps you make fewer mistakes in trying to connect with your son with her sections called 'Landmines' (things never to say, ever). Many in our group disagreed with things she said were true about boys, so that was terrific in adding nuance to thinking about the book’s messages."

So, what's next for Prairie Path Books? 

On Friday, Feb. 28, it's WhoDunnit? For $25 per couple, attendees will be an active part of solving a mystery. Then, mystery book publisher Jim Huang and two of his authors will explain how they draw you into their stories with characters and clues. Cost of admission can be used to purchase books. 

“Our events are not presentations, though we often have presenters. They are interactive because we want not only to sell books, but to create a relaxed salon setting for exchanging ideas," Koropp said. 

Get more information about WhoDunnit? and other events here, and be sure to like the shop on Facebook.