Lit ladies, please use this space to post any feedback, ideas you have for future book club meetings, or even suggestions for books you'd like to read. Just click on the "Comments" link at the bottom of the page to submit your thoughts.
I am really glad you brought this up Elisa-- I have been feeling, as well, that now at about 6 months into BookClub, its the appropriate time to tweak things here and there. Heather and Caroline and I discussed this past weekend as well...
A lot of bookclubs that I know of choose the book together as a group, as opposed to having one person choose the book. I find this set-up really appealing because we are all extremely busy people, and we are committing a month of our time to reading this one book-- it would be really nice to have a say in what we are committing to. We would still get a wide variety of books since it is still the members of our club proposing/ choosing the books...
Also, personally, I would prefer if the discussion was more free-flowing. I do not feel the need for a formal agenda-- of course its nice to have discussion points to spur conversation-- but we never really have trouble getting started, and its nice to feel the conversation can go where ever we want it to.
And, we can still switch hosts month to month, but if someone doesn't have the room-- I'm always happy to host out of turn.
OK, there's my two cents-- up for discussion...
ELISA SAID:
Hey everyone,
My sister was really interested in our book club format (e.g. blog, discussion questions) and she got really psyched on starting a book club among her friends in Chicago. As I was answering her questions it occurred to me that the one thing I would change is making the host and the book chooser/discussion question leader 2 different people. I think that there is a reason that most book clubs (that I’ve heard about) use this format. It is a lot of pressure on 1 person to not only prepare well thought out discussion questions, but to also attempt to plan and create a meal for an ever increasing number of people AND have everyone to their home. Basically, you are not only trying to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome as a host, but you also have to set the “perfect” scene for every other aspect. This usually means taking a lot of notes, finishing the book early; posting questions on the same day are trying to plan a meal, and then executing the meal at the same time you present your discussion. We are all friends and I thought I’d suggest that maybe we make this a team effort—there is no reason why the book chooser can’t play a part in the rest of the evening’s events, but it might take pressure off to have someone else host.
Obviously, Nikki is well on her way to the usual hosting duties for this month, but it seemed like a good time to bring this up since it looks like nothing is set in stone for April.
Hey everyone...here is my two cents...my favorite part of the bookclub is having people choose their own book for the month! We have not read one bad book yet, and none of them are titles i would have picked up myself. That is what makes it fun! I look at it as an opportunity to read things that are out of my literary comfort zone (haha). If people really hate a book they can opt out for a month, not the end of the world. Also, I think I am march host and have a book picked and plans for a party. Can we make changes if we choose to in April? :)
I think both approaches to choosing the book are valid, however, I think I agree with Shannon on this one not only for her well-stated reasons above, but also, logistically-speaking, if we’re talking about time-commitment here, I think it’s asking too much of the host to research, choose and present three books to the group instead of just one. For that is what they would have to do in order for the group as a whole to be informed enough to vote.
When Becky was hostess, she did present a couple of options for the group to choose and I think that is great if you’re having a hard time deciding. But even in that instance, I think the group deferred to Becky to make the choice in the end, because nobody really had strong enough feelings either way. I would like things to flow organically depending on who’s hosting. I like that each month is completely different for that very reason. And I appreciate being pushed out of my comfort zone. Sometimes it helps me reaffirm previous feelings and opinions and other times it causes me to rethink them.
I also think that this is a conversation that needs to take place in person with the whole group. I doubt that everyone is reading these postings.
I see all sides of this, and agree mostly with Penelope that we need to discuss this in person.
I do have to say that I enjoy the ability to choose a book during your month. I am afraid if we all work together each time to choose a book we'll spend an hour of each book club himming and hawing over what book. Maybe if people have a strong feeling about a book but have a long time until their turn, they can suggest it to the next person?
I do like the idea of the host being seperate from the discussion leader. It is quite a lot to undertake to get the discussion in order, make food, etc.
Let's just devote maybe 20 minutes at the beginning of next book club to discuss all of these things.
Hi all! I decided to use the blog since I'm new to gmail and their inbox format confuses me. I'll just have to get into the habit of checking the blog.
I just wanted to add that I'm fine with any date for the next book (On Beauty). I've got plenty keeping me busy prior to then, and it never hurts to have some extra reading time...
The purpose of this book club is simple: to encourage intellectual stimulation. The members of the book club are women who wish to become more broadly read—to be exposed to multiple authors, issues, and writing styles. Very different from a “girls’ social gathering,” the monthly dinners will be focused on discussion and analysis of the books that we read. Anyone is welcome to join at any time, and here's how it works.
5 comments:
BECKY SAID:
Hi guys,
I am really glad you brought this up Elisa-- I have been feeling, as well, that now at about 6 months into BookClub, its the appropriate time to tweak things here and there. Heather and Caroline and I discussed this past weekend as well...
A lot of bookclubs that I know of choose the book together as a group, as opposed to having one person choose the book. I find this set-up really appealing because we are all extremely busy people, and we are committing a month of our time to reading this one book-- it would be really nice to have a say in what we are committing to. We would still get a wide variety of books since it is still the members of our club proposing/ choosing the books...
Also, personally, I would prefer if the discussion was more free-flowing. I do not feel the need for a formal agenda-- of course its nice to have discussion points to spur conversation-- but we never really have trouble getting started, and its nice to feel the conversation can go where ever we want it to.
And, we can still switch hosts month to month, but if someone doesn't have the room-- I'm always happy to host out of turn.
OK, there's my two cents-- up for discussion...
ELISA SAID:
Hey everyone,
My sister was really interested in our book club format (e.g. blog, discussion questions) and she got really psyched on starting a book club among her friends in Chicago. As I was answering her questions it occurred to me that the one thing I would change is making the host and the book chooser/discussion question leader 2 different people. I think that there is a reason that most book clubs (that I’ve heard about) use this format. It is a lot of pressure on 1 person to not only prepare well thought out discussion questions, but to also attempt to plan and create a meal for an ever increasing number of people AND have everyone to their home. Basically, you are not only trying to make everyone feel comfortable and welcome as a host, but you also have to set the “perfect” scene for every other aspect. This usually means taking a lot of notes, finishing the book early; posting questions on the same day are trying to plan a meal, and then executing the meal at the same time you present your discussion. We are all friends and I thought I’d suggest that maybe we make this a team effort—there is no reason why the book chooser can’t play a part in the rest of the evening’s events, but it might take pressure off to have someone else host.
Obviously, Nikki is well on her way to the usual hosting duties for this month, but it seemed like a good time to bring this up since it looks like nothing is set in stone for April.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
Hey everyone...here is my two cents...my favorite part of the bookclub is having people choose their own book for the month! We have not read one bad book yet, and none of them are titles i would have picked up myself. That is what makes it fun! I look at it as an opportunity to read things that are out of my literary comfort zone (haha). If people really hate a book they can opt out for a month, not the end of the world. Also, I think I am march host and have a book picked and plans for a party. Can we make changes if we choose to in April? :)
I think both approaches to choosing the book are valid, however, I think I agree with Shannon on this one not only for her well-stated reasons above, but also, logistically-speaking, if we’re talking about time-commitment here, I think it’s asking too much of the host to research, choose and present three books to the group instead of just one. For that is what they would have to do in order for the group as a whole to be informed enough to vote.
When Becky was hostess, she did present a couple of options for the group to choose and I think that is great if you’re having a hard time deciding. But even in that instance, I think the group deferred to Becky to make the choice in the end, because nobody really had strong enough feelings either way. I would like things to flow organically depending on who’s hosting. I like that each month is completely different for that very reason. And I appreciate being pushed out of my comfort zone. Sometimes it helps me reaffirm previous feelings and opinions and other times it causes me to rethink them.
I also think that this is a conversation that needs to take place in person with the whole group. I doubt that everyone is reading these postings.
I see all sides of this, and agree mostly with Penelope that we need to discuss this in person.
I do have to say that I enjoy the ability to choose a book during your month. I am afraid if we all work together each time to choose a book we'll spend an hour of each book club himming and hawing over what book. Maybe if people have a strong feeling about a book but have a long time until their turn, they can suggest it to the next person?
I do like the idea of the host being seperate from the discussion leader. It is quite a lot to undertake to get the discussion in order, make food, etc.
Let's just devote maybe 20 minutes at the beginning of next book club to discuss all of these things.
Hi all!
I decided to use the blog since I'm new to gmail and their inbox format confuses me. I'll just have to get into the habit of checking the blog.
I just wanted to add that I'm fine with any date for the next book (On Beauty). I've got plenty keeping me busy prior to then, and it never hurts to have some extra reading time...
Post a Comment