Author Topic: Book club? (Read 7166 times)

mvansand76 · « **on:** September 02, 2007, 04:33:00 pm »

In the Culture Tent there are a lot of interesting discussions going on about books. Maybe we should start a book club, like they have on Dave Cullen, but MUCH, MUCH cooler?

We could choose a book to read and then discuss it?

Kelda · « **Reply #1 on:** September 03, 2007, 04:15:08 pm »

Lee - did this get off the ground?

http://bettermost.net/forum/index.php/topic,6932.20.html

Kd5000 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 03, 2007, 04:26:11 pm »

And how do you have an onliine bookgroup. Do you have on-line msg or something. I heard on National Public Radio that some book groups (that have physical meetings, NOT on-line) have a facilitator to keep ppl on track. For some of these intense career ppl, they claim it's their one evenig of the month when they are not preoccupied with family or work, so they start getting way off topic and they forget that they are there to discuss the book.

The facilitator brings in a bunch of information on the book, offers questions that will generate alot of discussion and cross checks off topic discussions.

One group was paying the facilitator USD 150.00 monthly for this service.

My best friend is in a bookgroup and I told her that the books they read sound like plot outlines they wished happened to them in real life. She got upset. I mentioned THE JANE AUSTEN BOOK CLUB (upcoming movie). It put a smile on her face. I offered to be a facilitator (for USD 150.00

) and she said there not that intense. Oh well, I live in the American South, so they are somewhat laid back.

Front-Ranger · « **Reply #3 on:** September 03, 2007, 04:47:46 pm »

Quote from: Kelda on September 03, 2007, 04:15:08 pm

Lee - did this get off the ground?

http://bettermost.net/forum/index.php/topic,6932.20.html

I didn't find that there was that much interest, frankly. Possibly in the wintertime there might be more interest. Injest had a good discussion going about her Mary Renault books. All the threads are over in the Culture Tent.

notBastet · « **Reply #4 on:** September 03, 2007, 06:09:37 pm »

I would participate if/when I could. I participated in the one at dc for a while and enjoyed it.

(I left dc for reasons unrelated to the book club; if anyone cares to know the particulars of how they ran theirs (at least how they ran it a year ago), I am happy to share, let me know.)

Rogue · « **Reply #5 on:** September 18, 2007, 03:50:58 pm »

i think its a really cool idea but im not really sure how it would work if one was started on this forum i would definatly try to participate.

Scott6373 · « **Reply #6 on:** September 18, 2007, 04:07:33 pm »

I would participate. I need to read more, but never am able to choose anything. I'm sorta like...give me a target and I can aim for that.

Wishes · « **Reply #7 on:** September 18, 2007, 04:31:44 pm »

I don't mean to be totally negative but I find being asked what to read bothersome. Reading is very personal and I have certain areas of interest and basically like to read what I like to read. Also I'm not a fast of avid reader even though I always do have a book going. And I would not want to be on a reading time table.

I have found any book clubs never seem to take off.

Ellemeno · « **Reply #8 on:** September 18, 2007, 05:46:08 pm »

Quote from: Wishes on September 18, 2007, 04:31:44 pm

I don't mean to be totally negative but I find being asked what to read bothersome. Reading is very personal and I have certain areas of interest and basically like to read what I like to read. Also I'm not a fast of avid reader even though I always do have a book going. And I would not want to be on a reading time table.

I have found any book clubs never seem to take off.

Sounds like a book club isn't what you are looking for, Wishes!

When the book club gets started, let me know and I'll banner it!

Brown Eyes · « **Reply #9 on:** September 18, 2007, 09:23:57 pm »

I like the idea of a book club and would definitely participate.

My Mom has had a really unique experience with her book group. She joined a book group when she was in her early 20s (before I was born) and is still in the same group today. They're very organized about the group and they do meet once a month. It rotates around to different people's houses and over the years members have come and gone. But, an amazing number of the original women (it's all women) remain completely active. The neat thing is that it's turned into a big extended family type of thing. And, now the children and grandchildren of the book club members feel a bit like cousins, etc. It's been a great experience for my Mom. Sometimes I feel a little jealous.

notBastet · « **Reply #10 on:** September 18, 2007, 09:55:45 pm »

fwiw, here is how they did it on dc:

someone had to take charge initially, obviously, as the moderator or what have you. they had about one week or so open for nominations of books to read, then a poll was made and open for x number of days. then people had x amount of time to get the book. then they broke it down over the course of a month or so. Read and discuss pages xx-xx week 1, yy-yy week 2 etc. they had someone sort of 'moderate' the discussion - ask questions, etc, but they were trying to get someone different to do each book. you could go back and discuss earlier parts of the book, but no spoilers or jumping ahead in the discussion.

I thought it worked fine, but it's the first and only book club I ever participated in, so I don't have anything to compare it to.

MaineWriter · « **Reply #11 on:** September 19, 2007, 09:59:21 am »

A lot of books have websites that have resources and information for bookclubs, too. I was just looking at the website for a book I read recently and they have questions for discussion, but also pictures, interviews, and a podcast of an interview with the author that you can download. There is also the opportunity to have a phone chat with the author.

I think you could use some of these resources to make a very interesting "virtual" bookclub.

L

mvansand76 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 19, 2007, 10:42:10 am »

Hi guys-

I only just saw all your responses. I would love to take the initiative for setting up a book club, but right now is not the right time due to family circumstances.

BTW- I heard a book recommendation on TV this morning, it was called Call Me By Your Name. Anybody already read this?

Mel

Fran · « **Reply #13 on:** September 19, 2007, 11:40:36 am »

I would in interested in participating in a book club.

Mel, Call Me By Your Name looks interesting. A customer who reviewed it at Amazon.com had this to say about it:

Like all great literature, this novel will remind you of other fine fiction: for example, James Joyce's long short story about tragic lost young love, "The Dead," as well as Annie Proulx's more recent and much praised "Brokeback Mountain."

Kd5000 · « **Reply #14 on:** September 19, 2007, 12:29:12 pm »

Well what sort of books to ppl like to read? I don't read alot of classics. Not for me. And I'm usually not a fan of "Oprah book. Hope I'm not sounding too harsh. I find James Ellroy's prose a big hard to follow as well, though I've like some crime drama books. No Harry Potter either.

I do enjoy historic fiction. I've just finished watching the HBO series titled ROME. I really enjoyed it. Now I've been reading some nonfiction books on Ancient Rome. Any good novels that are stet in this time period?

notBastet · « **Reply #15 on:** September 19, 2007, 10:00:25 pm »

I'm pretty much willing to give anything a shot...

I try not to read things I have "preconceived notions" about... try to wait long enough for my "preconceived notions" too pass, lol...

Kelda · « **Reply #16 on:** September 28, 2007, 11:41:17 am »

I read a great book on holiday I had picked it up a few months before on recommendation as it was about my holiday destination - Crete.

Or more specifically the old leper colony of Crete - Spinalonga. Which I went on a day trip to during my holiday - the guide was great and between that and reading the book i found the trip very emotional.

Its called The Island - by Victoria Hislop

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Island-Victoria-Hislop/dp/0755309510
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinalonga

whether for a book group or just for an individual read I'd recommend this book.

MaineWriter · « **Reply #17 on:** September 28, 2007, 08:59:22 pm »

Sounds interesting, Kelda. Thanks!

When we were in Norway, we visited the Lepramuseet (Leprosy Museum) in Bergen. It was very interesting. A Norwegian physician--Armauer Hansen--did a great deal to further our understanding of this disease and now it is more properly called Hansen's Disease, in recognition of his work.

Just a little bit of medical trivia. Back to our regularly scheduled discussion!

L

Kelda · « **Reply #18 on:** September 29, 2007, 09:40:29 am »

Yes - they told us that on the tour about him. Another interesting fact is that they used Thalidomide in the leprosy treatment.

In the UK, this word has a lot of horrible images as it was given to pregnant women in the 50s and 60s to help with morning sickness and caused sever birth defects. But in this case it gave mildly positive results.

The guide also said she wanted to state that actually Thalidomide is a wonderful drug if used correctly - she said her husband used it when he had terminal cancer and it allowed for weight gain or at least keeping weight on. Used for cancer & aids patients apparently.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thalidomide

mvansand76 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 03, 2007, 09:47:22 am »

I'm reading Atonement by Ian McEwan right now! Hope to watch the movie with my colleague next week!

Anybody read the book?

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Author Topic: Book club? (Read 7166 times)

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