2021 Monthly Reads???

[❀ Susan]

Hi all - we didn't manage many monthly reads in 2020 so I am starting a thread to see what reader's thoughts are? do you want to participate in monthly reads? if so, should they be connected with the BINGO? if so, any suggestions for January?

[Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺]

A few months could be tied into Canada Reads and the Gillers. Those are both popular here.

[Lisa]

I like the idea of monthly reads tied to Bingo and keeping a couple of months to the shortlist for Canada Reads and Gillers.

[Alan]

I second Lisa’s idea. I never participate in bingo although each year a new beginning tying it in with these other posts may make it more appealing to people. Plus the ggs. They were supposed to be announced(the noms) this month but now they’re talking about the spring. The whole schedule is confused now.

[Mj]

Monthly Group Reads is what I miss most in this group. I don't think it needs to be tied to Bingo, Canada Reads or Scotiabank Giller. My preference would be that it not be tied in - as many members don't participate in Bingo or follow Canada Reads or Scotiabnak Giller. There's lots of info and discussion put out about this.
A separate Monthly or Bi-Monthly Group Read would provide another option of interest to members.

What I think is mot important for successful participation is:

1) advance notice of reading date and opening selections to members so that people can pariticpate and access the book chosen
2) easy book accessibility and availability preferably from a library
3) good book options that come from input from members.....and a POLL to decide in enough time for members to access the book 4) at least one or maybe two/three members willing to lead.factiliate group discussions and keep people engaged

Not sure how widespread the interest in Monthly or Bi-Monthly Group Reads is......but I for one would partipate.

[Heather(Gibby)]

I enjoy group reading discussions and would love to see more of that in this group.

I agree with everything Mj posted, one of the biggest barriers for me in group discussions is not enough notice to find and read the book. Because I also participate in other groups or challenges, I often have 2 or 3 books in my "must read" cue at a time.

[Rainey]

I found the bingo just too much along with everything else I read. I like the idea of everything MJ and Heather(Gibby) said.

[Bruce]

I guess that my problem is that in all but Bingo ( even there to a limited extent) someone else is choosing the books. My best fiend (ex-wife) belongs to book clubs and is frequently unhappy about what she is reading. I read everything from hard science to literature to what many of you would probably call trash as my mood dictates. I am Canadian, but I don't usually know if the author is Canadian or not; the same goes for gender, race or sexual orientation. I sometimes write reviews in the "main" section of Goodreads. There are few negative reviews. I just quit books I don't like (except some very educating non-fiction). I don't think I'm unique. On the other hand discussion is fun. Having said all that, I don't know how to go forward. Criticism, bad or good, would be welcome. This is the only section of Goodreads that I usually read in its entirety.

[❀ Susan]

Thanks everyone - some mixed feelings on the group reads and great suggestions.

we have done a mix of BINGO reads and theme reads in the past with voting for the chosen book.

My two cents is that I love the stretch of reading books that might be outside my comfort zone as I always learn or take something away from them.

There is such a variance of thoughts that I wonder if we focus on Canada Reads for now and then plan a group read for April. this will give time for book suggestions and a poll.

any book suggestions? please add them and then I will put the most popular 5 into a poll.

[Allison]

I'd participate in a group read for any of the books currently in queue for my attention! These would be:
For Today I Am a Boy
The River
The Spawning Grounds
Greenwood
Once Upon a River (not Canadian).

[Heather(Gibby)]

I would second For Today I am a Boy

[Heather(Gibby)]

Any further developments on this, I am now planning out my April reading.

[❀ Susan]

Hi Heather (Gibby). Unfortunately there does not seem to be too much interest. Since you and Alison both agreed on one book, that could be an April read and we can see who joins in!

[Allison]

Heather, I’d be happy to read For Today I Am A Boy in April! Susan, were you thinking a Monthly Read thread, or a Buddy read?

[❀ Susan]

I am happy to set it up as a group read and see if others will join. :)

[Allison]

Great! Let’s do it. I just pulled it off my shelf and will start closer to the end of March.

[Susan]

I own a copy of For Today I Am a Boy and would join in for April.

[Allison]

Great! Maybe this is the way to do it - just ask for suggestions and see who wants to join in. Works for me!

[Wanda]

I grabbed a copy from Hoopla, count me in too!

[Allison]

Great Wanda!

[Heather(Gibby)]

Great, will definitely plan to read it early April

[Mj]

Hope to join in wrt April's monthly read. Haven't responded sooner because wasn't too sure of my whereabouts and internet access coming up. (still not really solidified,) My comments therefore might be spotty and not too timely.

I did read read the book for a book club choice about 3 1/2 years ago and remember it fairly well. Am going to do a quick re-read in able to fully participate.

[Allison]

Great, MJ! I'm planning to start reading it this week.

[Heather(Gibby)]

I started reading it (its my bedtime read on my tablet-so I will get through it very slowly), but so far it is quite good.

[Allison]

Should we be starting a new thread for this monthly read?

[Mj]

@ Allison - I think a new thread is a great idea.

Also here's a link to Amnesty International BookClub's background and discussion guide you could also post there if you or Susan wish. For Today I Am a Boy was their monthly book club choice in July/Aug 2016.

http://www.amnestybookclub.ca/wp-cont...

If people are interested in joining another book club or just browsing for good book choices - you can browse or join the Amnesty International BookClub on Goodreads. I've joined and noticed that a few other members of Canadian Content have as well. I find it a source of great selection for my own reading as well as in-person book clubs.

[Susan]

I’m planning to start reading sometime this week as well.

[Allison]

Interesting that it was an Amnesty choice!

I'll set up another thread for this book.

[Allison]

As there’s been some chatter about A Town Called Solace, is there any interest in making it a Monthly Read for May?

Anyone else want to put forth other ideas?

[Allison ༻hikes the bookwoods༺]

Allison wrote: "As there’s been some chatter about A Town Called Solace, is there any interest in making it a Monthly Read for May?

Anyone else want to put forth other ideas?"

I am definitely reading this one soon!

[Mj]

I'll give some thought to some other ideas because while I think A Town Called Solace might be a good choice down the road.....right now it looks pretty unavailable at libraries for people just joining in - hold list of 200+ currently at my library, although I got an early hold a while back..

[Heather(Gibby)]

My library hold list is 159 on A Town Called Solace.

Some of the Canadian Books I plan on reading in the next couple months are :

The Saturday Night Ghost Club
The Glass Hotel
Barney's Version

If anyone is interested in any of those as a monthly read/ or Buddy read

[Susan]

My library system doesn’t have A Town Called Solace, so I would have to buy a copy to participate.

I do own a copy of Saturday Night Ghost Club and would read that if there’s interest. Heather, your other planned titles are both great reads!

[❀ Susan]

Hi all - let's collect a list of books and I will put up a survey to see what everyone votes for including:

A Town Called Solace
Saturday Night Ghost Club
The Glass Hotel
Barney's Version....

.... and whatever else is added in the next couple of days. :)

[Wanda]

I'm currently reading Five Wives by Joan Thomas, it was a GG winner and I think it could illicit some good discussion.

[Susan]

I would read Five Wives too! :-)

[Connie]

Five Wives sounds interesting.
Another book though older I am planning on reading is That's My Baby by Francis Itani

[Allison]

I’d vote for Five Wives for sure! It was a Secret Sender book I received last year and haven’t gotten to yet!

[❀ Susan]

me too!!! My wonderful secret send (Allison) sent this one to me as well and when I see it in the library, it makes me feel a bit guilty that I have not read it yet... so many great books and so little time!!

[Wanda]

My copy is a Secret Sender gift too! A popular book to share!

[Kathleen]

I don't have a copy of Five Wives, but it is most likely available at the library. It is on my TBR list, so I would vote for it.

[Allison]

I’m going to start Five Wives this weekend, I think! If it becomes a Monthly Read I’ll be all set!

[❀ Susan]

It seems like Five Wives has the most comments so I think we are safe in setting that up for our May book! :)

[Allison]

Oh great! I'm in!