How do you want the Book Club to work?

[Freddiecat]

Now we've been going with the book club a few months I thought it might be a good time to see how people are finding it.

There are loads of great threads starting up about different books and authors and I know I've been prompted to read more than one book from these so keep it up!

As you know we've been trying to have a more regular discussion thread going centered around a particular book but I get the impression that enthusiasm for this is tailing off a little.

Would you prefer it if we changed the format slightly? Instead of a suggested list of books we could just have a "Book of the Month" and do away with the preamble of choosing. This is more like a regular book club and I think it could work quite well. We can try and get some input from publishers and booksellers as to what is going to be in the shops and hopefully have some advance reviews to spur us on.

Currently we tend to discuss books on the hop throughout the month. There was one attempt at a live discussion but not much interest. Would you prefer if we set a date a month in advance and stuck to it? Obviously there would be nothing to stop you discussing online in the meantime anyway (and here is the big difference to a normal book club).

Let me know your thoughts on how things are going so far!

Don't know how practical this would be but I would like to know the books a few months in advance (perhaps the next three months) then I could time my current reading to coincide with one of the Book Club books. Whenever a new Book Club book is announced I seem to have just started a new book of my own so haven't managed to take part yet. Most of the books I read at the moment come from the paperback chart (available easily and cheaply from ASDA and Tesco), so would be interested in reading something from the chart for a theme one month.

Sounds like a good idea Demented. Maybe we could even approach some of the retailers for advance warning of what they are going to be selling in 3 months time as well.

I know I just bought 3 books from Tesco - but then I am the sad woman who has started buying all her clothes there too as I just don't have the energy to go into town. Hatemyself for it too!

Freddiecat,

I personally quite liked the way you'd originally envisioned the book club. I really enjoyed having a say in choosing the a book when we were doing the Booker prize theme. I enjoyed reading possession, but finished it way after everyone else, . . so by that time discussion had petered out and I only contributed a little on the way. Entirely my own fault, admittedly. But the experience of reading it was still a good one for me, so I viewed that "month" a success.

Speaking for myself, I'd be inclined to get involved in discussions only of literary fiction. Not being snobbish, but I don't have time to read as widely as I once did, so tend to focus on the more serious stuff. So I'd pop in from time to time, when you got back to Booker Prize stuff or classics etc, but wouldn't be a "regular" IYSWIM. Hope that was clear & helpful.

Thanks for checking in with us, Freddie. xo K

I kind of agree with expatkat. I do read my fair share of light (ahem) fiction (i.e. enjoyable rubbish), but when it came to discussing the Rafaella Barker (Green Grass was it?) I didn't feel able to join in because the book was a total non-event. There was nothing to get your teeth into, nothing to say. I'm currently reading The Book Group and that will be the same- quite enjoyable, but not something I desperately want to discuss. Brick Lane, for example, on the other hand, left me longing to discuss it with someone. I do think it's worth choosing the books cvarefully if we're going to have a reasonably lively discussion.

Freddicat, I was enthused at first with the reading but am reading so much at the moment that got lost and left behind. Book of the month sounds good.

I agree it has to be a book of good enough quality (no offence meant, just can't think of a better expression) for a discussion. Brick Lane, even although it didn't blow me away, would have been good for discussion. I am currently reading The Bookseller of Kabul and IMO it would make good discussion material.

I think a book a month is a good idea. I always choose similar types of books ie fantasy (the dragon type not the sex type ), non horrific crime and enjoyable rubbish (ty tamum) so enjoyed the chance to branch out into other types even if I then found out it wasn't not for me.

I also like people posting about favourite books so I can get an idea if they are my cup of tea before I try them.

Richard and Judy (yes I know I'm a bit sad) have just launched a summer reading list, thought I may give some of them a whirl

Give them a whirl as my brother is one of the authors and it has meant a great deal of new sales to a struggling (not any more ) writer!

ooooooh which one and I'll read his first

The mermaids and the drunks by ben richards. feel free I found it abit sad but I am his sister. It will be really funny to see him on Richard and Judy!

OK then. What we will try for the next few months is this:

Starting this Monday - we are going to be having a "Book of the Month". This is a pre-chosen book and this month we are lucky enough to have some sponsorship (i.e. freebies!). The book will be announced Monday evening - at the same time I shall set a date in mid to late July for a discussion. This gives everyone a good chance to read and digest the book. I think sometimes we have got so bogged down in the decision side of things that the reading takes second place.

Hopefully we can continue this on a monthly basis - although I can't promise freebies every time! I shall try and pick something brand new and easily available.

For those who want something different, in about a week or so I shall post some of the original-type lists. We can then spend some time chosing a book from each list to be an alternative for the up coming months. Then with the books chosen, you can make your purchases in advance and we'll try and give each other time to read them.

Hopefully this will be something for everyone.

In the meantime keep nominating your favourite reads on the other threads!