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Original poster

Book club dilemma. WWYD?

22 replies

chocolateavocado99 · 16/09/2018 13:56

Just joined a book club for the first time ever. 9 of us joined and we all brought a book so the host could create a list. 8 fab sounding novels. But, the first book on the list is a non fiction book that is dry and dull. I can't bring myself to read it. It's awful. I want to read it as i feel I made a commitment, but on the other hand, reading is supposed to be enjoyable. This is not.
So, do I
a. Admit it was awful and I couldn't get through it.
b. Pretend I did - maybe focus on one chapter so I have something to contribute?
c. pretend a dc is sick and stay home?
Open to other suggestions. Please help. Grin

OP posts:
Sitranced · 16/09/2018 13:58

Tell them what you thought of it, isn't that the point of a book club?

amymel2016 · 16/09/2018 13:58

Read it! You might enjoy it! I’ve read loads of things in our book club that I thought I’d hate, some I have but others have surprised me. Surely the whole point of being in a book club is reading stuff you wouldn’t normally?!

NoSquirrels · 16/09/2018 13:59

Go along, say you tried but couldn’t get into it. Don’t be rude about it, though. Listen to everyone else. Drink wine! Wine

Or if you can read a few bits, enough to fake it (I’m pretty good at this Blush) then you don’t even need to fess up!

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sleepismysuperpower1 · 16/09/2018 13:59

i would go with option a, but just say that it wasn't your sort of book and you couldn't quite get into it.

SwedishEdith · 16/09/2018 14:02

a). This is why I've left 2 book clubs. Resenting spending time reading rubbish books and then having to talk about it without sounding overly- critical. Grin

Original poster
chocolateavocado99 · 16/09/2018 14:04

Thanks for the quick responses. OK. I think I may try to read at least some if it and hope I can follow along with the conversation. And yes to drinking wine!

OP posts:
AnythingButMagnolia · 16/09/2018 14:04

Just be honest and say you thought the book was shit.

Original poster
chocolateavocado99 · 16/09/2018 14:07

I don't want to be negative / rude about it. One of the woman brought her husband and it was his book. I don't want him to feel bad especially as I know several others are struggling to read it too.

OP posts:
sunshinesupermum · 16/09/2018 14:08

As other PPs have said be honest but nice about it. If it wasn't for you that's fine.

Foxyloxy1plus1 · 16/09/2018 14:11

Say that it was good to try a different genre from the ones you’re used to, but you couldn’t really connect with it just yet.

I got to the point at book club where I would just say ‘Sorry, no, not for me.’ When you know people better, you can do that without offending.

BakedBeans47 · 16/09/2018 14:13

Maybe suggest 2 books next time, that is what we do at our book club. That way you can read either or both depending on time and whether you like/fancy it.

ScreamingValenta · 16/09/2018 14:13

When you say 'it was his book' do you mean he is its author, or just that he chose it?

MadMaryBoddington · 16/09/2018 14:19

I’m in a book club, and people regularly dislike the books and are honest about it. Nobody takes offence. Where’s the fun in the discussion if everyone has to be ‘positive’ about everything? Some of our most fun evenings have been when we’ve all hated a book and not held back on our opinions! I’d give it a fair shot though - a couple of chapters at least, before you admit defeat.

GileadWivesAreFashionIcons · 16/09/2018 14:21

As PPs have said, I would be honest about not having been able to get into it. What I would probably also do though is the ask the person who recommended it what it was about the book that they enjoyed so much. Getting them to talk about the book would surely soften any unintended offence they felt and also hearing from them directly might give you another spin on it and motivate you to try again.

iMatter · 16/09/2018 14:22

By "his book" do you mean he chose it or he was the author?

Original poster
chocolateavocado99 · 16/09/2018 14:22

He chose it. We all brought a book title and drew names out of a hat so we know the books we will be reading for the next 9 months.
I like the idea of saying I was open to reading a different genre but I couldn't really connect with it. Thanks

OP posts:
ScreamingValenta · 16/09/2018 14:41

If he merely chose it, then say what you think but in a constructive way that will stimulate debate. Perhaps a good approach would be to compare it to a similar book which you did enjoy, and talk about the differences in style and content which made this one seem dull to you.

AnythingButMagnolia · 16/09/2018 14:49

Well don't use the exact words 'it's shit' (I was being rather flippant, sorry). Just be honest and say what you said in the OP. That didn't sound offensive or rude.

actualpuffins · 16/09/2018 14:55

I think book clubs work better when people pick a book to read that they want to read, rather than on the basis that it's their favourite book they have already read. That way people can be more honest in their opinion of the book without feeling like you are levelling personal criticism at the chooser of the book.

iMatter · 16/09/2018 15:09

Yes, just say it was good to challenge yourself with a different genre but you didn't enjoy it.

I was glad when my old book club died. I love reading but really didn't like being told what to read!

FaFoutis · 16/09/2018 15:14

Is it about Hitler? or tanks?

Clawdy · 16/09/2018 15:44

My book group decided to leave out non-fiction, as many of us felt it needed to be about a topic we personally liked, or not worth reading.We read the occasional memoir, but stick to fiction really.

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