Book Club Ideas
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Book Clubs Introduce you to New Books and New Ideas
Book clubs are wonderful places to challenge you to read different books and discuss them with others. For me it is also a great social evening out.
I had never realized how differently two people could view the same book till I joined book club and discovered if twelve people read the same book we could get twelve different points of view. Now when I read a book for book club, I'm always anxious to see how my friends in book club will see the book and what the discussion will uncover.
Book clubs are also a great way to widen your reading horizons. I have read many books in book club that I most likely would not have read on my own. Sometimes I am delightfully surprised, other times a bit disappointed, but I always learn a bit of something new from each book and from each book discussion.
In this lens I will tell you a bit about how the book club I belong to works and share with you some of the books we have read over the years.
photo is book club at our annual holiday meeting
I had never realized how differently two people could view the same book till I joined book club and discovered if twelve people read the same book we could get twelve different points of view. Now when I read a book for book club, I'm always anxious to see how my friends in book club will see the book and what the discussion will uncover.
Book clubs are also a great way to widen your reading horizons. I have read many books in book club that I most likely would not have read on my own. Sometimes I am delightfully surprised, other times a bit disappointed, but I always learn a bit of something new from each book and from each book discussion.
In this lens I will tell you a bit about how the book club I belong to works and share with you some of the books we have read over the years.
photo is book club at our annual holiday meeting
Starting a Book Club
my experience with book clubs
This book club is rather informal. We meet once a month and take turns hosting the book club. The month before it is your turn to host you let everyone know what book you will be reading the next month. When it is time to host the club at your house you provide light snacks, drinks and dessert.
The discussions are either led by our leader Judy (who started the book club) or by the person hosting this months book club. The discussions might follow a set of questions that the discussion leader has put together or we might just start discussing the book and see where the discussion leads.
Depending on the type of book, sometimes we just discuss the characters in the book and other times we take more time discussing the plot. Everybody has an opinion and it is really fascinating to see the different views people have on various books. Some people like to second guess the author and suggest alternative ways the author could have taken the book. Usually some people really like the book and others don't...that is what makes it interesting. When there is a wide variety of opinions we might discuss why you liked or didn't like a particular book. Occasionally everyone likes the same book!
photo is of author Raymond Scott Edge talking at one of our meetings
2012 Book Club Selections
2012 Book Club Choices
June through December
These are the books that our book club is reading in 2012. The hostess of the book club picks the book each month. As you see we read a wide variety of books. Sometimes we pick the books several months ahead of time and sometimes it is just picked the month before.
May Book Club Choice
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The
Amazon Price: $4.87 (as of 05/29/2012)
The Glass Castle: a Memoir
April Book Club Choice
This was a very different book than others we have read. The author goes into great detail about her very troubled childhood and very dysfunctional family. You follow them as they travel around from place to place all over the country and see how the parents in many cases leave the small children to fend for themselves. You also hear of the many adventures that they have brought on by the very eccentric father. This is the authors very own story.
This book provided some really good discussions in our book club. We talked about the personalities of both parents, their idea of love for their children and the survival of the children. Excellent discussion.
This book provided some really good discussions in our book club. We talked about the personalities of both parents, their idea of love for their children and the survival of the children. Excellent discussion.
The Glass Castle: A Memoir
Amazon Price: $3.48 (as of 05/29/2012)
March Book Club
Tess Gerritson
In March we are reading a book by one of the authors of the book we read in January.
The Mephisto Club (Jane Rizzoli, Book 6)
Amazon Price: $3.23 (as of 05/29/2012)
February Book Club
Sarah's Key
This book was a wonderful story of a woman in the present day who discovers a family secret that took place during the German occupation of Paris. The book goes between present day Paris and Paris in the 1940's. A very compelling read. The book produced one of our best discussions ever at book club.
Sarah's Key
Amazon Price: $14.00 (as of 05/29/2012)
January 2012 Selection
We have selected this mystery written by 26 different mystery writers for our January meeting. This book was very interesting and provided a great deal of discussion. Everyone at the meeting agreed they really liked the book and felt the authors did a good job of writing their chapters so they flowed seamlessly. It was very hard to tell that it was all different authors writing the book. Nobody guessed the ending ahead of time.
For fun and an additional challenge the members of the bookclub are writing a book themselves. Each will write one chapter and we hope to be finished by the end of 2012! Wish us luck!
For fun and an additional challenge the members of the bookclub are writing a book themselves. Each will write one chapter and we hope to be finished by the end of 2012! Wish us luck!
No Rest for the Dead
Amazon Price: $2.24 (as of 05/29/2012)
2011 Selections
December Choices
Debbie Macomber
Debbie Macomber writes some delightful Christmas books. One particular series is about three angels(Goodness, Shirley and Mercy) who come down to earth during the Christmas season. They each have an assignment to help someone, but this group of misfit angels get into all kinds of hilarious situations in the process.
For our December Christmas party meeting we usually keep it light. This year we will do a cookie exchange and talk about Debbie Maccombers angels!
For our December Christmas party meeting we usually keep it light. This year we will do a cookie exchange and talk about Debbie Maccombers angels!
The life and times of the Thunderbolt Kid a memoir
November Book club selection
This is the book we read for our November meeting. It stirred up a lively discussion of life in the 1950's.
The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir
Amazon Price: (as of 05/29/2012)
Water for Elephants
October Book Club Selection
We will be reading Water for Elephants for our next meeting.
Water for Elephants: A Novel
Amazon Price: $3.49 (as of 05/29/2012)
September Book Club Discussion
Swimming Solo
Our September book club was a bit different. We read a true story about a woman who deals with Alzheimers as it effects both of her parents and both of her inlaws. The author, Susan Rava,came to our book club to lead the discussion. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. Susan has a wonderful writing style and she really brings the reader into her story. In person, Susan was delightful. It was very interesting to hear her talk about how she wrote the book and the process of getting it published. She also gave us more insight into Alzheimer's and how it effects the families of those who have the disease.
Swimming Solo
Amazon Price: $11.80 (as of 05/29/2012)
The Help
Kathryn Stockett
The August selection for our book club is The Help. It is an excellent novel that talks about maids in Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960's. It is a very compelling book that has now been made into a movie. I thoroughly enjoyed both the book and the movie.
At our book club several of the ladies had also seen the movie so we talked about both the book and the movie. We had a very lively discussion. This is one of the best book club meetings we have had, everyone enjoyed the book and had lots to say about it. We started off the meeting by everyone telling their favorite part in the book. It was a good discussion starter.
At our book club several of the ladies had also seen the movie so we talked about both the book and the movie. We had a very lively discussion. This is one of the best book club meetings we have had, everyone enjoyed the book and had lots to say about it. We started off the meeting by everyone telling their favorite part in the book. It was a good discussion starter.
The Help
Amazon Price: (as of 05/29/2012)
The Good Sister
July Book Club Selection
This book is a mystery about two very competitive sisters. Is one sister trying to kill the other or is it somebody else? Which sister is the killer and which is the good sister? The answer to these questions will keep you guessing until the very end.
The Good Sister
Amazon Price: $0.01 (as of 05/29/2012)
Heat Wave
Richard Castle
Our June book club selection was Heat Wave by Richard Castle. This book sparked one of the best discussions we have had in our book club history. The discussion actually started prior to the book club when everyone was emailing back and forth speculating on the real author of the book. You see the book Heat Wave is connected with the TV program Castle. Richard Castle is the main character in the TV program and in the TV show he is an author writing the book Heat Wave.
When we got to book club the discussion continued its lively format. Everyone seemed to enjoy the book. Some had seen the TV show and some had not , but all agreed the book was very interesting. Heat Wave is the first book in a series and many of us are looking forward to reading the next book. I believe we will also have some of our members who rarely watch TV looking for the Castle series when it starts again this fall!
When we got to book club the discussion continued its lively format. Everyone seemed to enjoy the book. Some had seen the TV show and some had not , but all agreed the book was very interesting. Heat Wave is the first book in a series and many of us are looking forward to reading the next book. I believe we will also have some of our members who rarely watch TV looking for the Castle series when it starts again this fall!
Heat Wave
Amazon Price: $6.89 (as of 05/29/2012)
Elizabeth Street by Laurie Fabiano
May Selection
Our selection this month is a wonderful book about a family of Italian immigrants who settle in New York city. It is told by the great granddaughter of the main character. The author tells her families story through this wonderful work of historical fiction. Laurie Fabiano spends years of research both in America and in Italy uncovering the details of her families struggle to make a life in America.
I find the book very compelling. A wonderful tale, based on true events, of the struggles, hopes, disappointments and joys of life in the new world.
During our book club discussion everyone agreed that Giovanna, the main character, was a very strong woman. Everyone said they really enjoyed reading the book and got very caught up in Giovanna's story.
I find the book very compelling. A wonderful tale, based on true events, of the struggles, hopes, disappointments and joys of life in the new world.
During our book club discussion everyone agreed that Giovanna, the main character, was a very strong woman. Everyone said they really enjoyed reading the book and got very caught up in Giovanna's story.
Elizabeth Street
Amazon Price: $9.99 (as of 05/29/2012)
April Book Club Pick
Joy Fielding
This book by Joy Fielding is our book for April 2011. It is an intriguing book about a woman in a coma that can hear what is going on around her.
Still Life: A Novel
Amazon Price: $1.88 (as of 05/29/2012)
Alex Cross's Trial
James Patterson
James Patterson has a whole series of books with the character Alex Cross. Our book club chose this one for our February meeting. I love the twist and turns in this mystery series.
Alex Cross's TRIAL
Amazon Price: $1.50 (as of 05/29/2012)
The Dive from Clausen's Pier
Anne Packer
This book is our selection for our January book club meeting. I enjoyed reading this story of relationships and how they interact during tragic times.
The Dive From Clausen's Pier: A Novel
Amazon Price: $1.44 (as of 05/29/2012)
2010 Books
2010 Book Club Selections
Here are the books we read in the first half of 2010.
Flight of the Piasa
Raymond Scott Edge
Our July 2010 book club meeting was really special. At this meeting author, Raymond Scott Edge came and spent the evening with us. It was a wonderful time listening to Dr. Edge talk about his two books Flight of the Piasa and Witches of Cahokia and hearing about how he writes and the things that give him inspiration.
I had read his first novel Flight of the Piasa over a year ago and when I found he would be available to come to our meeting I was delighted. His book is based on a famous cliff painting overlooking the Mississippi river in Alton, Illinois. This painting called the Piasa was first described by the French explorer Marquette in the 1600's. Dr. Edge weaves a wonderful story based on this painting and details from events in Chinese and American history.
I won't tell more and give away the plot...but I will tell you this book is a must read! I am looking forward to reading the next book with the same characters Witches of Cahokia.
I had read his first novel Flight of the Piasa over a year ago and when I found he would be available to come to our meeting I was delighted. His book is based on a famous cliff painting overlooking the Mississippi river in Alton, Illinois. This painting called the Piasa was first described by the French explorer Marquette in the 1600's. Dr. Edge weaves a wonderful story based on this painting and details from events in Chinese and American history.
I won't tell more and give away the plot...but I will tell you this book is a must read! I am looking forward to reading the next book with the same characters Witches of Cahokia.
Flight of the Piasa
Amazon Price: $12.08 (as of 05/29/2012)
November and December Books for 2010
Do you belong to a book club?
stop by and leave me a note
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jjdanca18
May 10, 2012 @ 4:00 pm | delete
- I have never been in a book club. I love reading but thought a book club would be too restrictive with what I have to read and by what date. But now I realize it can also stretch your reading comfort level and you can discover lots of new books you wouldn't have otherwise read. Maybe I'll join one if I can find a good one nearby!
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forestplay
Apr 5, 2012 @ 1:32 am | delete
- Interesting reading list. I enjoy the photos too! Wish I lived nearby.
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JaguarJulie Jan 31, 2012 @ 2:24 pm | delete
- Hmmm ... you have given me an idea! I'm a single gal now, you know? Perhaps that's where I meet an intelligent and desirable man ... who can read too!
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ErnestBoehm Jan 20, 2012 @ 9:47 pm | delete
- I run my own book club I just wrote a page about our club and how we run it.
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UtopianDreamer
Oct 21, 2011 @ 8:46 am | delete
- Hi mbgphoto, I like your lens. Our book club enjoyed 'The Help' very much. From the cover, it's a book I'd never pick off the shelf (can't say why, it just didn't appeal to me) and I began it with a heavy heart. But what a wonderful book, right from the first page. I'm looking forward to seeing the film (not yet out in the UK). I've added your lens as a related lens on mine http://www.squidoo.com/unusual-and-interesting-books-for-a-book-club as they seemed like a good match.
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by mbgphoto
Reading has always been one of my favorite pastimes, so when a friend invited me to join a book club I was eager to participate.
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