Went to a book club for the first time.

[MsAmerica]

I read bigly, but I'm spooked by book clubs, feeling shy, as I just don't feel I'm very articulate talking about books. But there was a meeting in an apartment complex near me, about Stacy Schiff's Cleopatra, which I adored, so I asked if I might come and just sit in a corner, as I was curious to hear their opinions.

They welcomed me very cordially, but the funny part was, no one loved it as much as I did, and several of them hadn't even finished reading it.

But they asked me to come back, though, which was nice.

Whereabouts are you?

Cheltenham. I've been checking out book clubs locally online this morning ,think I will need to join U3e but that's probably not a bad thing.

This is like Caroline Bingley wanting balls where people talk rationally rather than dance 😂.
“But it would not be near so much like a ball book club”

Isn’t talking about any and all books you’ve read recently just having a chat? A book club is about sharing perspectives on a particular book. A general conversation about books is hanging out with your friends who read.

@tobee I’ve been in two main types of book groups. There are open ones organised by libraries or book shops or the WI of whatever where people can join. There tend to be a core of regular attendees and then a large number who drop in and out.

Then there are closed ones that have evolved from a group of friends over the years and they are very hard to join. That’s obviously because the atmosphere is very established and stable; new people would make it different and it’s very nice as it is. That’s when they might invite a mutual if someone moves away. But basically it’s a long term friendship group you can’t really gatecrash. Some have been going 20 years.

The ratio of on topic discussion and wine consumption are inversely proportionate.

“Read bigly”

im out

Part of it for me is reading books and discovering authors you might not normally read.

You see, this is what puts me off book clubs! I don't want to "just chat" with a group that's (probably) all female - that's pretty much my worst nightmare. I would want a mixed group of all types of people, where we actually discussed the book.
So I get that it can be hard for any individual to find a book club to suit them.

I don’t want to read books that other people might like

I started one myself when I couldn't find one local. It's small, just 5 of us. It's been a fantastic experience so far.

My friend went off to Morocco with her book club friends last year! It's a great way of meeting people.

Just found mine by googling "locator plus book club"

And I was added when someone left. So they keep it to 12. We meet in a pub once a month and usually 6-8 come each time. Discuss book for 2 hours then all head off. Perfect!

Right, that seems to be a common pattern.

What if you posted a little notice at the local library? Or do you have MeetUp where you are?

I agree. Meeting to compare or announce books you like is just what most would consider ordinary conversation.

HA! I love that about Caroline Bingley!

I'm ploughing through my Book Club choice for this month Sally Rooney's Intemezzo.
I really dislike it ☹️
I didn't bother going to the last 2 meet ups as the books bored me - I didn't finish one and didn't start the other.

You have a Rossitors books there right? Ask in there, we have one here and I think they do a book club.

I used to be in a book club, but I gave up when I kept not finishing books!

The Rossitors one you have to buy the book ftom them,it's £10 a month. I read on my kindle, haven't got space for more physical books.

Wow, I did not know that, I'd definitely try and find a free one!

Each to their own. I also talk to friends about books but for me it’s not quite the same as meeting specifically for that purpose - or talking to people who aren’t necessarily your friends and might have different perspectives.

I don’t wish to be told what book I have to read. I read a lot, and I read for pleasure, not as a project or an assignment. I get through around 70ish books a year and have a reviews blog and I still don’t have time to read anywhere everything I want to read, so I don’t want a dozen or so of my books each year to be things I feel obliged to read and have to finish even if I dislike them.

MIL goes to a book club where they do their own reading challenge with categories, and pick their own books within that category - so one month it might be ‘a book published before 1900’ or ‘a book translated from another language’ or ‘a book that’s on the current bestseller list’ or ‘a love story’ or ‘a book set in the future’ or ‘non-fiction’ whatever. So there’s a theme to their meetings and discussion but no obligation to read a specific book. She really enjoys that.

Each to their own. I think a guided conversation about reading, that you’ve prepared and thought about, and which is structured for the hour, would (for me) be quite different from the many chats I have with my friends about books. But obviously it’s a personal thing.

I loathe being told what to do, and I’m also a mood reader, so being told I have to read a specific book at certain time isn’t my thing. But of course we’re all different.

Sure, but if the other people are giving me recommendations, I’m discovering books that way. And to be honest I already have very varied reading habits. There’s very little that falls into the category of ‘something I wouldn’t normally read’, if that makes sense?

I’m pretty sure it’s been done in several ‘cosy crime’ novels already.

I tried to join one in my town but everyone was so flaky. Half the time no one turned up or the organiser constantly tried to rearrange. I gave up and joined one at work. It’s a bit more formal but the focus is very much on discussing the book. Plus people actually turn up having read the book!

I work for a large company and after a couple of book related chats with some people I just started one - they even give me a small budget.

It is actually really nice, as the colleagues in book club aren't necessarily people I would come across in my day to day work. Every so often everyone recommends a load of books and we hold an online vote and pick the next 3-6 books.

All very true - except I don't think you can have the equivalent of job interviews for new members!

I read a lot & have often wondered about joining a book club but I'm not sure because I have quite specific reading interests these days.

I've solved it (for now) by signing up to online guided reading groups & so far I've enjoyed a lot of joyce that way.

It's 2 hours a week & very much a discussion of the writing. I adore it.

I've done courses on dubliners, portrait & ulysses (am doing this one a second time)

Some in my group are doing other courses too. Last night I was chatting to a woman who is doing Madam Bovery etc

This approach suits me better right now