tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post3709612404344168241..comments2024-03-28T09:42:20.558-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: Book Club in a Rut? Try the Bison Surprise.Jim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-50586148036812217282013-06-03T15:54:35.763-04:002013-06-03T15:54:35.763-04:00My only experience with a book club was the kind w...My only experience with a book club was the kind with people who would rather gossip - and they all knew each other.<br /><br />However, I have a great experience with food! Love cooking and I think I'll use this recipe with Acorn squash and cut it for two eaters. Yum. Sounds good!Norma Husshttp://www.normahuss.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-33542246032802230542013-06-03T15:44:43.685-04:002013-06-03T15:44:43.685-04:00Carla, I wish I had a LIKE button.Carla, I wish I had a LIKE button.Shari Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16425493627354028820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-11372461744867890822013-06-03T15:27:00.394-04:002013-06-03T15:27:00.394-04:00I have a fun book club, but boy do we disagree on ...I have a fun book club, but boy do we disagree on books! We DON'T disagree on food though.carlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15985823239660829148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-43281609305940680712013-06-03T14:56:34.578-04:002013-06-03T14:56:34.578-04:00I am impressed by the people with more than one bo...I am impressed by the people with more than one book club - I have a hard time with just one. There is another kind of book club that I've heard of: the BYOB (bring your own book). Members will take a book they have enjoyed and each member gives a mini presentation to the group about their pick. No pressure, and you can get an introduction to a new author or series that way.Shari Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16425493627354028820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-23971660129590514772013-06-03T14:14:16.812-04:002013-06-03T14:14:16.812-04:00Like Paula, I belong to two book clubs, too, and b...Like Paula, I belong to two book clubs, too, and both have been satisfying. The first one meets at a restaurant at 11:00 a.m. in the bar area where no one is at that time of the morning. We pick our books for the following year in December at our Christmas meeting in someone's home. We try to pick a mixture of books, too, especially since one member prefers non-fiction. One of the members sends discussion questions in advance if they're available. Most of the members read the book or as much as they have time to get read.<br /><br />In the second book club, one member picks the book for the following month and then hosts the meeting either in their own home with dinner or if they don't feel they can have it at their house they pick a restaurant where we can meet and members buy their own meal. Wine is always served no matter where we meet. Most of the people in this book club read the book, too, but not always. I have to admit, if I really don't like the books picked, I might not read the whole book, but mostly I try to finish every one picked so I can join in the discussion. <br /><br />One of the things - besides making new friends - I like about book clubs is that books are often picked I never heard of or might not have read if I had heard of it, and I've more often than not found I enjoyed the book. Even more I like the additional insight I get on the book from other readers views - something I might not have noticed when reading it. Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-91023660322418678562013-06-03T14:13:41.488-04:002013-06-03T14:13:41.488-04:00Warren, thanks for reminding me. I'll need som...Warren, thanks for reminding me. I'll need some advice. My book club wants to discuss my short story (and the anthology it appears in) at the next meeting. A first for me to be the author at a meeting! I hope folks will share advice for speaking to a book club.<br /><br />Paula, hi! It sounds like you have two good groups. It's important for people to get what they want out of the book club experience. I like both your approaches, especially since going out to eat is involved.Shari Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16425493627354028820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-89102050915934922202013-06-03T10:34:25.704-04:002013-06-03T10:34:25.704-04:00I belong to two book clubs, one quite serious and ...I belong to two book clubs, one quite serious and the other where reading is optional. The serious one takes a vote of the members who have read the book to evaluate the book's popularity. A leader, one chosen for each book, sends out questions in advance for discussion. Also, a refreshments person is designated for each meeting. For the reading optional book club, we meet at a bookstore, talk about books and other matters,then adjourn to go out to eat. Both clubs have been satisfying experiences and have invited authors to meetings.Paula Gail Bensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08843350597811462936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-39429148821874225172013-06-03T10:20:06.155-04:002013-06-03T10:20:06.155-04:00Yum, Your group sounds more serious than most.Book...Yum, Your group sounds more serious than most.Book groups are great for authors to speak at.Warren Bullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789270258599769915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-29544533169967356902013-06-03T09:49:51.378-04:002013-06-03T09:49:51.378-04:00Hi Jim, Yes, having a guiding formula that require...Hi Jim, Yes, having a guiding formula that requires different kinds of books helps shake things up (though I'd be happy with a mystery at every meeting). Reading outside the comfort zone keeps fresh ideas coming.<br /><br />EB, you'll have to post your recipe for pumpkin soup. Nothing wrong with a little brandy! And I'll confess I don't read much nonfiction. Occasionally I'll read a good one - like American Nations - and be blown away by the way a good writer makes history or science or medicine into a page turner.Shari Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16425493627354028820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-1750343958089924602013-06-03T08:57:57.702-04:002013-06-03T08:57:57.702-04:00I tried one book club. To my disappointment, I fou...I tried one book club. To my disappointment, I found that over half the members had not read the book, couldn't discuss the book and wanted to gossip. So, I've stayed away from book clubs. I'm glad yours has been successful. <br /><br />Woodward's concept seems interesting, but I must confess, I don't read much nonfiction unless it is writing related. So many books, so little time. <br /><br />I made pumpkin soup one time. I served it in scooped out small pumpkins. It looked appetizing, and since I'd been too liberal with the brandy, it turned out to be quite a fun dish. All my guests loved it.E. B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746747050278597888noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-83446127590019613432013-06-03T08:42:54.495-04:002013-06-03T08:42:54.495-04:00I like the concept of your old, new, fictional and...I like the concept of your old, new, fictional and true for the book club selections. It keeps the group from getting in a rut. <br /><br />I sympathize about bringing something to eat, however, I would probably find my selection in the nearest grocery store rather than at a Dunkin Donuts.<br /><br />~ Jim<br />Jim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.com