Irmo Branch Library - Monday Evening Book Club discussion

I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life
This topic is about I'd Rather Be Reading
16 views
Past Discussions > I'd Rather Be Reading

Comments Showing 1-30 of 30 (30 new)    post a comment »
dateUp arrow    newest »

message 1: by Rachel (last edited Apr 21, 2020 03:25PM) (new) - added it

Rachel Renz I'm particularly interested to know how and why you joined this book club, and how long you've been a member.

Also, what have been some of your favorite book club reads? If you haven't read many book club books yet, in your opinion, what makes a good book club pick?

Feel free to branch out from these questions and ask your own!


message 2: by Rachel (new) - added it

Rachel Renz I'm also curious how you feel about e-reading. Do you read eBooks and listen to audiobooks, or do you read strictly print books?

I'm excited about the opportunity to use Hoopla for book club, even though I usually prefer print books. We have such a broad range of books to choose from on Hoopla.
What do you think?


message 3: by Shelly (new)

Shelly Langston | 10 comments 1. I joined because of my friend Leann and it was on a night that I had free. I have been attending for at least 3 years.

I liked the book on Van Gogh Lust for life. Also I liked the book about the Atomic City Girls ... I think that was the name of the book we read. There have been others, but I can't recall the titles

2. I don't really like reading e-books, but I have read all my print books. So I now read e-books and I am very thankful that we have that available to us.


message 4: by Lynn (new)

Lynn | 10 comments Hi Shelly. I loved the Van Gogh Lust for Life book too.


message 5: by Lynn (new)

Lynn | 10 comments So glad you told me about the meeting tonight


message 6: by Mary (new)

Mary (mpgwyn) | 18 comments I prefer print books if I'm going to sit down and read, but digital books are so much handier! If I'm at athletic events, traveling, or wanting to read after my husband's asleep, then I love them. And I'm very thankful for them right now. Also love the fact that I don't have to worry about overdue fines with digital.
I really enjoy audio books when I"m driving or doing housework or getting dressed in the morning. The reader can make a huge difference in how much I enjoy the book.


message 7: by Rachel (new) - added it

Rachel Renz Mary wrote: "I prefer print books if I'm going to sit down and read, but digital books are so much handier! If I'm at athletic events, traveling, or wanting to read after my husband's asleep, then I love them. ..."

I agree, the reader in an audiobook makes all the difference! I especially enjoy a nonfiction memoir when the author is the reader because it's like they're sitting down and telling you their own story.


message 8: by Rachel (new) - added it

Rachel Renz Shelly wrote: "1. I joined because of my friend Leann and it was on a night that I had free. I have been attending for at least 3 years.

I liked the book on Van Gogh Lust for life. Also I liked the book about th..."


Shelly, e-reading isn't my go to either, but it has been so convenient in this season.


message 9: by Rachel (new) - added it

Rachel Renz Do you have books you feel like you “should” have read? Do you ever feel guilty about your taste in reading?


message 10: by Mary (new)

Mary (mpgwyn) | 18 comments Yes! I like that too. And sometime when the author reads the book when i'ts fiction. Sometimes. Amy Tan reads her own books and she has such a pleasant voice and is an amazing reader.

Hi Lynn! I hope your move went well!


message 11: by Rachel (new) - added it

Rachel Renz Drawing inspiration from Madeleine L’Engle, Bogel says, “Just as I’m all the ages I have been, I’m all the readers I have been” (74). Do you agree with this assessment?

What readers have you been? What are genres you loved as a kid? What are genres you still love?


message 12: by Lynn (new)

Lynn | 10 comments Mary wrote: "Yes! I like that too. And sometime when the author reads the book when i'ts fiction. Sometimes. Amy Tan reads her own books and she has such a pleasant voice and is an amazing reader.

Hi Lynn! I h..."


Mary wrote: "Yes! I like that too. And sometime when the author reads the book when i'ts fiction. Sometimes. Amy Tan reads her own books and she has such a pleasant voice and is an amazing reader.

Hi Lynn! I h..."


Hi Mary. Yes, everything went great and then before I could even get settled in this Covid-19 stuff happened. So I haven't found a book club here yet.


message 13: by Rachel (new) - added it

Rachel Renz While I was reading, I remembered that "The Great Gatsby" was the first classic in high school that I read all the way through. I have loved to read for as long as I can remember, but I always struggled with completing assigned school reading. Then I read "TGG," and I loved the language and the symbolism. That set me on a trajectory to be a much better high school English student and then an English major in college.
But I hadn't thought back to that in a while, until I was reading Bogel's book.


message 14: by Lynn (new)

Lynn | 10 comments How is your new job going?


message 15: by Martha (new)

Martha Draffin | 2 comments I have been in this book club for many years there were only 3 people attending when I started. I like most of the books we have read and it has allowed me to read books that I would have never picked for myself. The discussions are interesting and you never know where they will go and what you will learn from the group. I like e-books but i have a kindle and I can't use hoopla with it and i don't like reading on a laptop or computer.


message 16: by Rachel (new) - added it

Rachel Renz Martha wrote: "I have been in this book club for many years there were only 3 people attending when I started. I like most of the books we have read and it has allowed me to read books that I would have never pic..."

Hi Martha!
Wow, you are a faithful member! I'm glad the book club has stretched you as a reader.


message 17: by Mary (new)

Mary (mpgwyn) | 18 comments Lynn, it's fun and challenging. Never a dull moment. I was only there for two months before all this hit....

As far as the question about readers goes, I'm not sure I"ve changed much as a reader, unless I"m just too old to remember my younger days. I like characters that I can relate to/empathize with/feel curious about and about any genre except romance.

I guess one difference is that in younger years I preferred British and American novels, and now I have more interest in the rest of the world.


message 18: by Lynn (new)

Lynn | 10 comments Martha wrote: "I have been in this book club for many years there were only 3 people attending when I started. I like most of the books we have read and it has allowed me to read books that I would have never pic..."

I feel the same way Martha. I like the books we have read because I would never have chosen them either.


message 19: by Shelly (new)

Shelly Langston | 10 comments The book I rather be Reading really open my eye up to the books I read and books that people recommend. I told Rachel about a book I read that my sister recommended and I told her not to recommend me any more books. The main character was named Shelly and she was a psycho that tortured her kids. True story. I used to feel awful because I never read many of the classics required for college English. I always reading though. I have read more of the classics since being in a couple of book clubs though.


message 20: by Rachel (new) - added it

Rachel Renz Shelly wrote: "The book I rather be Reading really open my eye up to the books I read and books that people recommend. I told Rachel about a book I read that my sister recommended and I told her not to recommend ..."

Having the accountability of a book club helps me push through classics or tougher reads that I might put down if I was just reading on my own.


message 21: by Mary (new)

Mary (mpgwyn) | 18 comments I always really enjoy the discussion at book club, and I really enjoyed the Blue Sky book and would probably not have discovered it on my own.


message 22: by Shelly (new)

Shelly Langston | 10 comments I have had some books that were picked out that I just couldn't finish. I think the Grapes of Wrath was a book that I didn't read all the way through. I did read the last few chapters and the ones in the first of the book. But if a book is really hard or does not get my attention, I will say, I am not in school and I don't have to read this. I have other books I would rather be reading! I read what I want to read. I do think the book club meetings go better if we have questions to answer about the book.


message 23: by Rachel (new) - added it

Rachel Renz Shelly wrote: "I have had some books that were picked out that I just couldn't finish. I think the Grapes of Wrath was a book that I didn't read all the way through. I did read the last few chapters and the ones ..."

I am definitely on board with quitting a book when it just isn't happening. There are so many books we'll never have time to read, so why push through one that isn't worth it?


message 24: by Shelly (new)

Shelly Langston | 10 comments I agree with Mary. The book club has suggested books that I would not have discovered on my own either. That is one of the best things about the book club and then discussing it afterwards.


message 25: by Mary (new)

Mary (mpgwyn) | 18 comments Absolutely! I think I had to force myself to read Grapes of Wrath bc I was moderating, but otherwise would not have stuck with it. I think we had a really good discussion about it, though.


message 26: by Shelly (new)

Shelly Langston | 10 comments I hope if we have to do book club this way in May we will be able to get more people involved. What will our new book be? I can't wait for the library to open!!!!!


message 27: by Clotile (new)

Clotile Hunt | 1 comments Rachel wrote: "I'm also curious how you feel about e-reading. Do you read eBooks and listen to audiobooks, or do you read strictly print books?

I'm excited about the opportunity to use Hoopla for book club, even..."


Hey Shelley, Leanne also got me involved in the Book Club. I like meeting face to face, but this is good too. I am reading Alisha Keys new book. I finally finished with preparing taxes for this year, I didn't agree to work longer because I was wanting to stay safe.


message 28: by Rachel (new) - added it

Rachel Renz Clotile wrote: "Rachel wrote: "I'm also curious how you feel about e-reading. Do you read eBooks and listen to audiobooks, or do you read strictly print books?

I'm excited about the opportunity to use Hoopla for ..."


Hi there! I'd like to know what you think of that book. She seems like such a talented and strong person.


message 29: by Vickie (new)

Vickie | 18 comments Somehow I missed the email and am just getting on the goodreads app. I loved both these books. I just joined this book club last fall. Favorite book was Lust for life.
I am excited to read next month’s selection.We lived downtown until last Sunday and now live at the lake. I retired from being a nurse for 37 years, the last 24 were in ICU. I truly empathize with my former coworkers during this terrible time. I miss our library being open.
I prefer print books but have read Ebooks. I do most of my reading in the evening and print books are better than computer light on my eyes and sleep pattern.


message 30: by Rachel (new) - added it

Rachel Renz Vickie wrote: "Somehow I missed the email and am just getting on the goodreads app. I loved both these books. I just joined this book club last fall. Favorite book was Lust for life.
I am excited to read next mon..."


Hi Vickie! Thank you for sharing. I knew you were a nurse, but I didn't realize how many years of experience you had. That is really cool.
I miss our library being open too!


back to top