A Lexington Reads get-together event?

[[deleted user]]

Since we're a geographic group but don't actually meet, I'd like to eventually have some sort of event just for members of Goodreads. Any ideas? Low-budget ideas are best, but it never hurts to think big.

[[deleted user]]

How about representatives of the local bookstores, the Carnegie Center, the library etc. sharing in an almost speed-dating sort of way about upcoming titles that sound interesting? We could have giveaways and some food, too, so there could be some mingling as well.

[Mary]

I've just recently learned about and joined Lexington Reads. What a great idea! I mean both Lexington Reads and an event. I wouldn't limit an event to just goodreads folks though. There are probably some people that aren't aware of goodreads but would love it and could find out about it through the event.

[[deleted user]]

Mary: Thanks for the suggestion. We're shooting for this summer, as part of the Adult Summer Reading Program, and we'll take your advice and make it a Lexington Reads event open to the public.

[Jim]

They hold a KY Writers convention in Frankfort every year. What about meeting up at that or some other public event?

[Shannon]

I love the idea of a get together. I live right next to the downtown public library and it's a nice place to meet but I'm open to anything! I love talking to other readers.

[Muge]

Hi everybody; I just joined your group. I have 2 kids. My son is 12 and he doesn't like to read. I am hoping these events make him want to read. Meeting is a good idea. Do you have kids? i hope these events would be family friendly events. cause as single mom i would like to attend events with my kids. Thanks all.

[Jim]

I have kids, but they're all in their 20's. It's fine with me if kids show up.

Not all kids like to read, but I kept handing my kids different books & talking them up until they did. They're all hooked, even the youngest who has dyslexia & a learning recall disorder. Harry Potter took her from special ed reading classes in 2d grade to reading above her grade level by 4th.

[Muge]

waw Jim; that's great to hear.

[[deleted user]]

Event with kids. Got it. We might even be able to arrange something simultaneous that is specifically for kids, to help spark their interest in books.

[Kit]

How about a swap meet? We can meet to discuss the books we are reading; but, also, to exchange swap books/and ideas.

[[deleted user]]

Kit: Good idea. Keep 'em coming. We'll try to come up with something this summer that incorporates everything we want to do. Thanks for the great ideas.

[[deleted user]]

The Lexington Reads Book Talk and Book Swap is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, June 4, at the Beaumont Branch. We'll talk about upcoming titles and have a book swap and refreshments afterward. Drop off books before the talk starts and we'll have them ready for afterward. We'll have some simple children's activities at the event for children to young to be on their own out in the library. I'm hoping to have local bookstores and others involved with some giveaways and door prizes. If you've got ideas, feel free to share them!

[Kit]

Yeah! I'm sorting out my books for the swap and marking my calendar.

[[deleted user]]

This sounds great! Will definitely plan on being there & sorting my books for this.

[Kit]

I know the library has "Walk" t-shirts for the staff to wear as promotion for our read; is it possible for the library to purchase t-shirts with Lexington/Goodreads for the event-give some as prizes and sell the rest in the library for a fund raiser (friends), etc.? I would love to have one, two or three for myself and family. (already have book totes, so this would be something new.) :D

[[deleted user]]

Great idea. I'll work on it. The budget is small this year, but I'm hoping things will grow, based on first-time success.

[Kit]

:D

[Danielle]

This sounds fantastic! It's been added to my calendar

[Kayti]

Awesome idea! I just joined this group today, and I'm already guaranteeing that I'll be present! :D

[[deleted user]]

I just had a meeting with Brooke Raby of Joseph-Beth Booksellers and Ashley Runyon of the University Press of Kentucky. They're providing a look at some great books to be on the lookout for in the coming year at our Lexington Reads Book Talk and Book Swap. Brooke has arranged for representatives from Random House and Putnam/Penguin. They're also helping with door prizes. Many thanks to them ... we couldn't do this event without their help. We'll also have refreshments and book swap, so bring a book to swap and join us at 7 p.m. Monday, June 4, at the Beaumont Branch!

[Morgan]

Don't forget to create an event for this. Then we can invite our friends who might not be aware of this group.

[Kit]

Doug wrote: "I just had a meeting with Brooke Raby of Joseph-Beth Booksellers and Ashley Runyon of the University Press of Kentucky. They're providing a look at some great books to be on the lookout for in the ..."

Awesome! Can't wait! :D

[[deleted user]]

Here's what I'm thinking for June 4's book swap:

Bring any books you want to swap to the Book Talk registration table at the front of the Beaumont Branch. We'll take names and your books to swap there.

After the Book Talk, we'll read out names in order (with a little bit of time, maybe just 15 seconds, to give the early arrivals a head start).

Using the honor system, take no larger number of books than the number you dropped off.

Do you all think that will work okay? I'm still open to suggestions!

[Kit]

Doug wrote: "Here's what I'm thinking for June 4's book swap:

Bring any books you want to swap to the Book Talk registration table at the front of the Beaumont Branch. We'll take names and your books to swap t..."

Sounds good...or use paper money to represent number of books. Exchange after browsing as you would real money at the check out. This would allow everyone to browse at the same time. Are we donating the remainders to Friends or taking home books that might be remaining? I vote to donate mine if they don't find a new reader. (or if you want to save for next years swap, either way).

[[deleted user]]

A good point by Kit. We'll donate any leftovers to the Friends Book Cellar, but if you want to reclaim yours afterward, that's fine, too. And I like the play money idea. Hmmm ...

[Koula]

Play Money sounds good to me also, plus donating any leftover books to Book Cellar is good. I will not be reclaiming my books.

[Harley]

I'm new to the Lexington group and would like to support this activity by participating in the book swap.
I have several books (10 or 15) that I would like to "donate" to another reader, and don't necessarily want replacements in trade.(as I've become an e-book reader primarily) Are book donations desirable ?
Thanks....

[Morgan]

I like the paper money and donating the extra books idea. I plan on bringing 6 or 7 books myself, but I don't plan on exchanging that many.

I recently got a Nook and am trying to read through my "actual" books so I can start getting more ebooks.

[[deleted user]]

Play money it is! And donations are always welcome, so we'll be taking anything leftover directly to the Friends. Thanks!

[Kit]

Doug wrote: "Play money it is! And donations are always welcome, so we'll be taking anything leftover directly to the Friends. Thanks!"

Can't wait. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for bringing this together! :D

[[deleted user]]

I will be bringing a whole stack of books as well and am willing to donate those left over also.

[Morgan]

Just realized my stack of books to bring is probably more than my allowed weight to carry. lol.

[Tiffany]

Sorry I won't be able to join you this evening. Will the book swap be a regular event, like the first Monday of each month?

[Tiffany]

Morgan wrote:

I recently got a Nook and am trying to read through my "..."

I have a NOOK as well and am using the NOOK friends option to keep up with what my friends are reading and lending and borrowing that way. And the LPL and other library systems have ebooks that you can borrow with your e-reader. I found that to be convenient and helpful too.

[[deleted user]]

Tiffany wrote: "Sorry I won't be able to join you this evening. Will the book swap be a regular event, like the first Monday of each month?"

I'm thinking it could be something we do annually, for now. Monthly is more than I can take on!

[Kit]

Thanks again, Doug. I really enjoyed the swap.

[Kit]

I wanted to say thank you, thank you, thank you, to the person that brought me Heart and Soul. I'm starting a collections of her works-to date I have 8 of her books.

[[deleted user]]

Thanks to everyone who made it to yesterday's Book Talk and Book Swap a success, and a special thanks to Joseph-Beth Booksellers, University Press of Kentucky, Random House, and Putnam/Penguin for providing speakers and door prizes. We had 47 in attendance and at least a couple hundred books to swap. About a hundred of the books were donated to the Friends of the Library afterward. A few photos have been posted here (and more at www.facebook.com/lexingtonpubliclibrary). People already are talking about the next one!

[[deleted user]]

I really enjoyed the swap as well...and Kit, it was nice to meet you in person! Hope to meet & get a chance to talk to more of our members next time!

[Kit]

Nancy wrote: "I really enjoyed the swap as well...and Kit, it was nice to meet you in person! Hope to meet & get a chance to talk to more of our members next time!"

It was good meeting you :D. Im reading two books you might like,

Missing &Bitter Blood: A True Story of Southern Family Pride, Madness, and Multiple Murder. See you next year, if not sooner. (And on line daily)

Books are about KY.

[[deleted user]]

Thanks for the suggestions! I will keep these two books in mind for possible future reading.

[¤Leila | The Fiction Pixie¤]

Aww I missed it. How time flies :(

[Kit]

¤Leila | The Fiction Pixie¤ wrote: "Aww I missed it. How time flies :("

Next year!! :D

[Shawntaye]

I had so much fun. The book sellers really knew their stuff, and I'm planning to read several of the books they recommended. But it was also nice to meet some Goodreads members in person. Meeting people makes me want to participate more on Goodreads. I can't wait for the next event!

[Kit]

Shawntaye wrote: "I had so much fun. The book sellers really knew their stuff, and I'm planning to read several of the books they recommended. But it was also nice to meet some Goodreads members in person. Meeting p..."

See you there! :D

[Mari]

are these still happening?

[Bobby]

Nothing currently planned, but this group will be the first to know!

[Mari]

Thanks!

[Kit]

When's the next one planned? I have to be back in KY for it. Missing all of you like crazy. Lexington has the best library and friends of the library!!! I have found one small used bookstore here in ME that I now call my "best friend."