when i started this group, i envisioned some sort of book-clubby-type-deal, with interesting conversation and deep couches and stimulants (caffeine) and/or depressants (alcohol). how does that sound to you all?

we can all talk about whatever it is that we happen to be reading at the time, or maybe we could all read the same thing and discuss it. i noticed that All Souls was added to our bookshelf; should we try that one, do you think?

and in terms of where to meet, i have a coffee suggestion and an alcohol suggestion: coffee: diesel cafe in davis square; alcohol: middlesex lounge in central square. i am open to all kinds of suggestions. let's aim for some date in maybe mid-september, shall we?

I think that'd be really great, though I must admit I tend to over-commit myself so we'll have to see how things are at that point. But I really love reading books and discussing them; it's one of my favorite past times really. I think it's the main thing that kept me thinking I'd be an English teacher for so long...built in book chats.

I also like your meeting place suggestions. As for the book, I've already read it but I do love it so I'd probably come to a chat.

How would we choose which books to read/discuss?

I would be willing to meet up. I like the suggestion for locations since they are close to the T.

I have already read All Souls and really enjoyed it. It is a great discussion book.

I'd be up for some book discussion.

Ok, then - let's do it. Shall we aim for the weekend of September 13th-17th? (I'm including Thursday & Monday in my definition of 'weekend,' here.)

People are going to have to chime in on 3 things:
1. when exactly we get together
2. where that will be
3. what we read

As for #3, if we decide just to come to hang out & discuss whatever it is that we're reading at the time, that point becomes rather moot. If we all want to read the same book, let's make suggestions in a separate thread - we can always refer to it should things go well & we want to do this again. Personally, for our first meeting, I think we might as well just talk about our book(s) of the moment - I imagine there will be a certain amount of overlap that will get discussions started nicely.

Cat, I think it would be good for the first meetup if people just talked about what they are currently reading and then maybe we can pick a book to read as a group.

I will be in NH Friday Sept. 14 thru Sunday the 16th. So for me Thursday the 13th or Monday the 17th work best.

I think I could meet up on the 17th (I need to check one thing) but the 14th wouldn't work for me...Others? Who knows what I'll be reading then, but it'd be fun to talk about whatever.

hi! I just found you guys and I would love to meet up and be part of a book-group type thing. I would be available the 17th. I live in Watertown, so Harvard, Davis etc would be fine with me. I am currently reading The Corrections.

If I know in advance and it's during the weekend and by the T I'm up for a meet for sure. I run a book club at a college--currently we are on hiatus until the semester kicks in. I think I'll be starting WATER FOR ELEPHANTS soon--right now reading a political book, FIASCO. I'm a librarian, so talking about a group of books and ideas would be fabulous--as well as meeting fellow readers!

That sounds great. Thursday or Monday would work best for me. I'm in Waltham, so I'm pretty flexible on a meeting place too.

OK, then, kids - let's block off Monday, September 17th, as that seems to be the day that works best for most people. I want to be sure that everyone has enough notice.

Since it's a weeknight, it's probably wiser to go with the non-alcoholic version of events, so why don't we meet up around 7:30pm at Diesel Cafe in Davis Square. That's on Elm St, very close to the T (exit toward Hollis St, then turn right, toward Mike's Pizza; Diesel will be on your left in about a block).

I agree with Jessica that it would be best to talk about whatever we happen to be reading at the moment, and then decide whether we'd like to choose a book to read all together.

How does all this sound to everyone?

Sounds good to me. I live near Davis so that's actual ideal! see you then.

Sounds fun and right near home and work, which is always lovely. Unfortunately, I'm actually getting some cavities filled that afternoon, so whether or not I show will depend on my ability to talk by 7:30 :oP

Tremendous. I'll see you all at 730 tomorrow night. I'll be the one in the "reading is sexy" t-shirt.

I am going to try my best to be there. I am wearing jeans and a pink shirt.

Did you all meet up?
I am way behind and just reading this post now. I'd be interested in doing another book group/gathering centered around coffee or beer.

Hey, I wanted to say I'm sorry I missed our book talk. I was sick. Did you get together? How was it? Did you plan to get together again?

oh, kids - I am sorry I've let this go so long. It's been busy busy busy lately, and looks to continue on in the same fashion until after the New Year. I love the holidays, I do. Truly.

We did end up getting together in September, all that long while ago, though attendance was rather light. Still, we tossed around a few ideas, like having a pool of books to choose from all about the same topic.

The theme thing might work, I think, if we wanted to try to get together again. Maybe we could start with something general, like Boston, and choose from books like Man Gone Down or The Brothers Bulger or Easter Rising or The Bostonians, just to name a few.

I know that I'm not the only busy one this time of year - I'll wait to hear from you whether you thought our last meet up was successful and whether it's something you might like to do again. If anyone has suggestions, now's the time.

I wasn't in on things when the last meeting happened, but I think it sounds like a fantastic idea. Outside of Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year's, I'm pretty free. And I love the Boston theme idea.