What happens when a group of parks and recreation professionals reads the same book? Hopefully, a really good conversation.

That’s the idea behind the new KRPA Book Club, a new opportunity for KRPA professional members to read, connect and share ideas with one another.

Cherie Riffey, Parks Division Assistant Director of Administration with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, is leading this inaugural book club. A few years ago, Cherie participated in the KRPA Relational Leadership program and discovered that some of her favorite parts of the experience happened after the reading.

The books weren’t necessarily books she would have picked up on her own. But that was part of the challenge.

“I enjoyed the mental challenge of focusing on what I could learn from these books and how I could utilize even one thing in my day-to-day.”

What made the experience even more valuable was hearing what other people took away from the same book.

Different people notice different things. They interpret ideas through their own experiences. And sometimes someone else’s perspective makes you look at an idea in a completely different way.

So Cherie approached the KRPA staff with an idea: Why not start a KRPA Book Club?

The First Book

We’re kicking things off with:

The Mental Game: Winning the War Within Your Mind
by Darrin Donnelly

The book explores the mental side of success and challenges readers to think about mindset, challenges and the ways we approach both work and everyday life.

You don’t have to be a lifelong reader or a self-proclaimed book club person to participate. The goal isn't to analyze every chapter or have all the answers.

It’s to read something, find an idea that sticks with you, and talk about it with other people who understand the world of parks and recreation.

First Meeting in January

The first KRPA Book Club discussion will take place during the 2027 KRPA Conference in January.

Those who RSVP will receive more information about the date, time and location of the book club gathering.

And this first meeting isn't just about discussing The Mental Game.

It’s also the beginning of something we’ll build together.

Members will have the opportunity to:

• Vote on the next book.

• Share ideas about what the book club should look like.

• Discuss how often we should meet.

• Help shape future book selections and conversations.

No Cost. No Pressure. Just Come Ready to Talk.

There’s no cost to participate, and there are several ways to get your hands—or ears—on the book.

You can purchase it, check with your local library, or see if it’s available through Hoopla with your library card. And if audiobooks are more your style, listen away. A commute, a walk or a few quiet moments can all count as reading time.

Ready to join us?

RSVP for the first-ever KRPA Book Club and help us get this conversation started- Click here for KRPA Book Club RSVP

And who knows? Maybe we’ll be as cool as the Oprah Book Club before you know it.