Summer Book Swap?

[KeithLeMonde]

Following on from the chat about blind dates with books, speak up here if you fancy doing a book swap.

Keith Thank you for sorting this, I have a new user name especially for this group!

It's so hard trying to choose a book though, feels like a massive responsibility...

@karyatide not too late :) Once I have all the names and books I will close the list - or if we get two groups of 12 which seems big enough!

I will PM you.

I'm just posting because I'm not 100% sure how the book discussion/review part of the thread works. I've had a quick look at the other book swap threads but I'm not sure how the rules work. Not revealing title? Do you reveal who sent the book? Sorry to be dim but I need it clearly spelled out because I don't want to mess it up.

I'll do some instructions once everyone has chosen their books but here's an overview.

Once the swap starts, each person starts a discussion thread for their book. The thread title does not reveal the book title but the posts inside the thread can.

People can choose whether they want to read the posts in advance or not but if you want the books to be a surprise then you don't read the thread relating to a particular book until you've received it and read it. then join the thread and post a review or your thoughts :)

Is anyone else finding it difficult to choose a book? It does seem like a big responsibility!

I think, in another mood, Fizz, I might have felt like that, worrying about my choice. But I've just gone for something I read fairly recently that I enjoyed. It's not going to be possible to choose something you can be sure a dozen strangers on a chat room are all going to definitely like. If people are going to judge my choice I can take it!

Thanks tobee - I think I’m overthinking this one

There are millions of approaches to choosing a book: choose something you love, something funny, something controversial, something a bit weird, something small and easy to post.....

It just needs to be something that's worth reading and talking about, not something that sums you up as a person :)

Thanks to everyone who has PMed me back so far - I have tried to respond to all messages so if you haven't had a response from me, please can you PM again?

Thanks for the PM Keith

Re choosing a book - I have a few favourite books which I've had for years, and read over and over and never get bored with (don't know if that's a bit strange...). Nothing too heavy, but enough to make me think and to stay with me afterwards. So I chose one of them

I know exactly what book to choose, I just can't find my copy of it

I can't find my copy of my choice of book either, I may have already lent it to someone, I don't worry about keeping track of books usually. I plan to get Amazon to deliver a new copy if it doesn't turn up. Only issue then is that chocolate will need to be sent separately but hoping that'll be ok.

I chose a book that's not controversial, a bit different to the everyday kind of book you see in the best sellers lists, but mainly one that I was sad to finish & I felt the characters had been my 'friends' whilst reading it.

@chewbecca that sounds like my kind of book!

I chose mine on the basis that I think it’s an overlooked gem (it got plaudits at the time but everyone seems to have forgotten it now) and I’ve given it to a couple of people to read in the past and they’ve enjoyed it. The book I’ve chosen is quite moving- made me cry but I’m soppy like that.

Argh, I wrote a long and very jolly post and somehow Mumsnet ate it before it posted.

The books sound intriguing, and I am really looking forward to finding out what they are. I thought I might guess from seeing the initials but apparently I am not that clever or well read.

I will do the draw over the weekend and aim to PM everyone on Sunday with details of who they are sending to. That should give everyone the week to buy chocolate and get parcels sent off ready to start reading as we hit July.

Is everyone happy with a budget of £1 a month for chocolate? There's usually something nice available around that budget, hopefully affordable for everyone but as always feel free to say here or by PM if it's an issue.

I haven't yet heard from @falgelednl, @rosehiphoney, @cherryblossom23, @aleysha, @karyatide. If you still want to take part please can you PM me before the end of the week so I can include you?

Everyone else, if you've PM-ed me and I have replied then you are on the list!

To those of you worrying about choosing your book, I've just realised I'm worried about choosing the chocolate. 😬

Haha me too tobee

£1 sounds good though

PMs all sent with details of which group you are in and who to send to :) If you're expecting a PM and haven't had one, please can you let me know asap (probably best to send me a PM as I won't be on here much over the coming days so might miss a message on this thread)

BTW one of you in each group is sending to me but I have talked about myself in the third person in my PM to retain an air of mystery

Thanks for organising this @KeithLeMonde Looking forward to some new reading!

Proud Group 2 book reader here! Looking forward to receiving my 1st book and meeting my book club women (also... y’know the chocolate is pretty exciting too!) xx

Ooooh I'm a group 2 too!

If you look on other book swap threads here not much gets written on individual members books. I wonder what we will be like?

Another group 2 here!

I’m in group 1. Will talking about the books spoil the surprise for everyone or will people just read the particular thread relating to their book? Sorry if I’m being a bit dim.

Anyway getting ready to post my book and chocolate off tomorrow

group 1 here too. I will send mine off tomorrow all being well.

Got my chocolate, got my bag, got my Jiffy bag. Just can't get to post office today!

*got my book not got my bag.