we have a problem in our book club

[hermykne]

to kinda sum up, one member is not as literary as the rest of us, i am trying to explain this without sounding snobby but certain words are needed to explain this proble,

she always arrives late and so misses the "book" review.
she has read maybe 2/3 books out of the 16/18 we have done. she hasnt even read the awful ones she picks.

she is very confrontational, when points are raised or opinions about the "book" or general chit chat.

its really annoying, it changes the whole ambiance to the evening, last one 3 of us went home furious with her.

i would say she is naive and this doesnt help and shes protecting her ability to be considered a book reader by being so defensive.

anyway one member W sent a txt to another (Z) asking if the problem re her (U) attendance had been solved - text to all nxt event is on X and one must have read the book to attend-

receiver of txt (Z) replied and sent it to our problem member instead (U), stating yes and maybe she'll read the book.

so Z and U had a talk and she was defensive as usual

what to do
we are having a summer recess as some of the other memebrs just cant listen to her silliness for much longer, and these are older members, she is our youngest.
so

recruit more mebers to dilute her

appoiunt different people each time to talk more than she does

Could you just drop hints? Like in nice, not confrontational way?

Like saying 'Have you read the book this month U?' and then give her a big smile, maybe tap her on the knee or something, in a friendly way and say ' I wonder why you bother coming when you never read the book.'

You need the questionnaire.

I've been a member of a few different book clubs over the years and it is difficult when there's an odd one out, whichever way round it is tbh e.g. one member constantly pulling discussion back to the book when everyone was really there for a chinwag over a glass of wine/one member not attempting any of the books because she "didn't fancy them" (and being pretty vocal in her dislike) in a group where we took it turns to choose and waded through everyone's choice whether we enjoyed it or not. Both scenarios weren't great tbh so you have my sympathy. As you can see from this thread, there are many different types of book club, so possibly your friend would enjoy a more relaxed club where the books are more incidental, rather than yours where the books are the main focus.

pass round an inanimate object like a hairbrush to denote who can speak

i shall have my dinner and come back with any more ideas

dalek appreciate your comments, two members really love the club and would hate for it to stop. i get the feeling what happened to yours could be our route too. but hopefully we'll get upfront on the matter now.
there are 2 new rules anyway, you must read to atttend and you must be on time.

hermykne have read all your posts and you make some nasty acerbic comments about the poor lady.sheesh the group sound like a right nasty ole coven do you get any reading done in between bitching/bellyaching/texting about said lady?

and since you are so fond of your literature as has been already noted Bronte wrote wuthering heights not Austen how

deargod i hope the lady in qustion runs, fast away from this nit picking navel gazing fault finding little ole book group

zog i agree. we are not pushing her out but trying to get her to see the point of the club and partake, challenge herself. direct questions as suggested by confederate get ignored or some excuse is given. and we are just fed up with that

scottishmummy cheerio, i dont need your comments. would you say them to my face at the school gates....

did u read my comment after sophie re bronte?

tell her the club has moved to sunday and it is now going to be run the same way as your sunday night lush piss ups have always been

but you are starting a new seriois book club with strict rules on the old book club night

unclench its a bloody book group not harvard literary appreciation and discourse of modern literature.

all members please submit 5000 word narrative to accompany each book

YAWN

zippi
we had it on fridays and a vote was taken to change it to thurs as there was too much drink consumed, the vote was 6 to change day.

anyway my sundays are much more fun than to sacrifice them to a book club.

hermykne - your replies are a bit brusque and are winding people up I think,which is why we are being a bit sharp

no you dont understand no book on sundays

she doesnt read books

no SM but we do hope to attend the hay festival next year.
cheerio

margaret i aint got time to be more forthcoming

zippi exactly just newspapers & gin

actually is the idea of the book club fun or self flagellation improvement

ypu talk about self sacrifice being involved

does anyone actually like reading and talking about books

maybe you need some different reads?

cheerio then

do you like what we've read zippi?

Oh LOL are you throwing your rattle out of the pram?having a big ole hisy fit!now you are even chunterring about straw, ah do you do digress wildly.

hope you don't do that in book club

put them all right off you

vote to have minutes kept a t each meeting and vote for her to be minute secretary

Message withdrawn

thats much too strict zippi