New format for monthly group reads

[Janice, Moderator]

I love the themes you've come up with! Good job. :)

[Snoozie Suzie]

I like this idea :-)

[Cheryl]

Anything that whittles Mt TBR is a good thing, and this looks like a lot of fun! Thank you!

[Hannah]

I love this idea especially because there's no library around here and I can't afford to buy books full price so I can pick one from the mess of fiction cluttering up my bedroom.

[Alison]

Hannah wrote: "I love this idea especially because there's no library around here and I can't afford to buy books full price so I can pick one from the mess of fiction cluttering up my bedroom."

My sympathy on the lack of a library - how far is the nearest one?

[Hannah]

Alison wrote: "Hannah wrote: "I love this idea especially because there's no library around here and I can't afford to buy books full price so I can pick one from the mess of fiction cluttering up my bedroom."

M..."

7 miles, no bus and I don't have a car. There was one 2 miles away from me but they closed it.

[Alison]

Hannah wrote: "Alison wrote: "Hannah wrote: "I love this idea especially because there's no library around here and I can't afford to buy books full price so I can pick one from the mess of fiction cluttering up ..."
Terrible - is this a victim of the recent UK cuts?

[Hannah]

Alison wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Alison wrote: "Hannah wrote: "I love this idea especially because there's no library around here and I can't afford to buy books full price so I can pick one from the mess of fiction..."

Yeah, its been under threat of closure for the best part of ten years and its finally given in.

[Cheryl]

Oh gosh Hannah, I'm so sorry to hear that. I would think public transportation would be better organized in the UK.

[Janice, Moderator]

I can see how the new format will work better for your situation, Hannah.

[Diana]

I love the new format and the themes... but ok, "Roughin'it" has won the theme for january? Does that mean you choose a book, like from the suspense/ triller category, where there's some action going on? :-))
I really love this club, but I don't really have fully understood the idea yet. :-)

[Diana]

It does and I want to participate! But I actually to do not have a TBR shelf on goodreads, but I will use the themes to search through my tens of unread books in my shelves... my real shelves :-) And for this particular theme, I think I'll use the literal meaning of "rough", because I was planning to read a suspense novel and I want to participate in the discussions!
I think this kind of challenges are great, since you get to find out more about other books... but I really did loved the way this group chose monthly reads, based on particular reads...
Will this disappear altogether...? :-)
Thank you! You have been really helpful :-)

[Diana]

Good that you have brought this up!
For one, I really liked that the moderators participated actively in the discussion and tried to revive it, whenever it became stale. I like the themes.
But, I think it is problematic for some, to choose books with 500+ pages and to read them in a one-month span. Not that it is impossible, but most people have jobs or go to school and so on and I am guessing you are too :-)
If you are going with the idea of of side-reads, which I really think is awesome, why not divide the books in weekly chunks, like 100 pages per week, so that it is easier to keep up with the pace?
For example, we pick up "Anna Karenina", we divide it in chunks for each week, announcing it a 3-4 weeks in advance and we move on each week with more chapters and questions, maybe some historical background, something about the author and so on....
And I really like the monthly book, because it is nice to discuss a specific book with people. To see what everyone thinks, to get more input on the novel you have read. That's why I love GR. :-)
Think about it :-) I would love to help out with anything concercing this group! So, if it needed, contact me :-)

[Anne]

Judy:"Oh, one other idea, buddy reads....A folder for members to connect for buddy reads and post their thoughts as they read. "

Great idea.

[Diana]

You're most welcome.
Unfortunately, not many people tend to read anymore, so I do what I can to be around people to discuss certain books with :-)

[Cheryl]

Bearing in mind that not all classics are long.... I like all these ideas - but every time it will just depend on the book. I liked the idea of monthly reads but they just haven't been books I've been interested in. I guess what I'm saying is that whatever you try, I'll try to participate in.

[Kat]

Late comment but I think this is a fantastic idea - otherwise my TBR just keeps ballooning!

And sometimes I really don't want to do 'monthly reads' in the old format because the book doesn't get my attention, so being able to pick one of my own books for a theme is much more enticing.

[Cheryl]

I do have a couple of shortish classicish books, owned, on Mt. TBR. I think it'd probably be best if I just start a thread for a buddy read when I'm about ready to pick one up....

Meanwhile, are we just doing the Toppler for Dec, and then moving on to Roughin' It for Jan? I've no idea what to do for that theme - it'll take some thinking. However, I do recommend Roughing It for anyone who wants to be literal. It was a good book and not too difficult (though there were a few bits I kinda skimmed cuz the slang or the historical detail were too obscure).

[Kim]

What would we do without imagination and poetic justice? "Roughing It" could be:

The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon (girl lost in the woods)

The Cove (investigation in an island setting)

False Memory (psychologic terror)

The Gold Coast (wealth and power)

[Cheryl]

sounds good!

[Kim]

Yeah...too bad I can't read them all in one month!

[Janice, Moderator]

Just for edification, December's group read is Becoming Jane Eyre. January's is based on the theme "Roughing It" - a book chosen from your TBR that fits the theme as you interpret it. Examples are Ice Bound: A Doctor's Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole or They Shoot Canoes, Don't They?.

I think everyone has valid points. I suggest that we try the new format and see how people respond to it. Maybe we could throw in the occasional "group read" just to keep a good variety going. Ultimately, Judy has the final say since she's running that portion of the group.

I like the idea of buddy reads. We have a thread called "Random Book Discussions" and I'll change the name to "Buddy Reads". People can ask others to join them in reading a specific book and discuss it there.

[Kim]

Sounds good! What we can do for buddy reads is, if a member is looking for a buddy, post a poll: "is anyone up for reading...?" If more than one says yes, than you can make it a mini group read amongst those that answered.

[Janice, Moderator]

Kim wrote: "Sounds good! What we can do for buddy reads is, if a member is looking for a buddy, post a poll: "is anyone up for reading...?" If more than one says yes, than you can make it a mini group read am..."

Let's keep it simple. If anyone is looking for a buddy, start a thread in Buddy Reads and say, "Looking for a buddy to read name of book, please sign up below. Use the same thread for the ensuing discussion.

[Kim]

Ok. I've been in other groups where we did that and maybe there were just too many going on at one time, that an announcement would be missed.

[Sarah]

Judy wrote: "Kim wrote: "What would we do without imagination and poetic justice? "Roughing It" could be:

As an author with deadlines and also as an avid reader, I love the TBR theme idea. Members will report in more depth in order to explain the link to the theme, giving more information for the rest of us to decide if we want to read that book. The more sorting I can do through more detailed recommendations here, the more time I have to actually read. How I love books.

[Janice, Moderator]

Welcome Sarah. We are looking forward to our new monthly read format. We are hoping that we will get more participation if people are able to read a book of their choice rather than an "assigned" book.

[Snoozie Suzie]

Where are we putting our choice of book? will it go in the challenge section and be in the beta thingy?

[Snoozie Suzie]

Coolio

[Carly]

I like the idea of the winter theme for December. I've already done some winter stuff.

Eight Below - a movie which is excellent. I'm not sure if it's a book - guess I oughta look.

The Tenderness of Wolves - which I didn't finish - got halfway through and kept asking myself 'WhereIsThisThingGoing' and put it in the 'out box' for return to the library.

The Call of the Wild - Jack London - didn't finish it yet, but I'm sure I will.

Winterdance - Gary Paulsen - oh, man! Don't miss that one - if you love stuff about the Iditarod and snow dogs, you'll love that book. I think I did it in September/October.

[Janice, Moderator]

You have time to finish Jack London's book (if you started it in December) and include it in the Winter Challenge.

[Alison]

Anadelle wrote: "I liked reading one book together with this community :( Oh well, times change."

Me too, but I can understand if it was becoming difficult to get something every one wanted to read and had much to say about.