Obama book clubs start

The Barack Obama campaign said that 85 people showed up last night to the first round of book groups at twelve New Hampshire locations, coinciding with one online discussion.

Campaign volunteers in New Hampshire helped organize the book clubs to read Obama's book "Dreams From My Father." Obama's New Hampshire press secretary, Reid Cherlin, said supporters loaned books to the campaign. Then undecided voters the campaign has been targeting were offered the book to read and attend two book club meetings in their communities. The first meeting focuses on the first part of the book. The second meeting focuses on the last part.

The book clubs are an unconventional way to get the story of Obama out at a time when many Democrats at his events say they are interested in him, but have concerns about his experience.

After the two book clubs, readers will turn in their books to loan to a new group. The clubs are scheduled to continue through the summer, Cherlin said.