When we last spoke about book club, we tossed around some ideas for subject matter. The front runners were contemporary fiction/literature and young adult, with an interest in revisiting the classics before related movie releases, such as The Great Gatsby in December 2012. Only one person, besides me, had any interest in reading the Western Canon. Shocking!
The most exciting mind is an open mind, and I’m hoping this applies to book clubs, as well. I’ve decided to keep it 90% contemporary fiction/literature and young adult and 10% miscellaneous so we don’t miss an opportunity to discuss the classics or important memoirs/nonfiction studies that pop up. I would like to divide the 90% adult/young adult evenly, but I also don’t want to read drivel just to keep the score even. Let’s agree to read the best of what’s available, and if that means one genre skews heavily for a while, so be it.
Next, we need to decide what we will read first. I will almost always recommend something on the adult side because that’s what I normally read. I know there are many young adult fans; I’m counting on you to put in great recommendations. Please put in your recommendations in the comments. I will take the top picks and post them in a later post. We’ll vote on what to read then. Does this sound fair? Easy? I’ve never run a book club before, so if anyone can suggest an easier way to do this, I’m all ears.
Once we do that, we can decide on a meeting place. Whew! This book club business is more involved than I thought!
p.s. Let me know if you have a suggestion for a cute name. I have a designer on standby waiting to create marketing material for the club. So far, all I have is Book Club, which is pretty much the most basic name on earth. It does make me chuckle, though, because every time I say it I think Fight Club. Jane Austen’s Fight Club.
p.p.s. I have a few books to toss into the recommendation pile, one being Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84 (the cover art leads the post) and 11/22/63 by Stephen King. Swear, the only Stephen King fiction I have ever read is a collection of short stories. I find this bizarre, since he wrote one of my favorite books on writing.
I am no help on any of your questions, but it’s already a success as far as I’m concerned. I just ordered this book after reading your post! :) I’ve been looking for something to stretch my mind a bit and this looks like just the thing.
I’ll try to read anything. As long as I can get it on my Kindle through the library (under penalty of death by my husband, ha!). Seriously though, I’m open. As for a name I’ll think on it and let you know if I come up with anything stellar.
This is a new release, so I don’t know that you’ll be able to get it on your Kindle. How long must a book be out before it is issued to the library system?
I am on the waiting list for 1Q84 (Kindle version) at the library. As far as I know our library buys both digital and hard copies of new books as they’re released when they can. I just looked at they have 15 digital copies and 6 hard copies. Interesting.
On a side note, I can’t get the Stephen King novel on Kindle from the library (yet), BUT it’s already sitting on my shelf.
As I commented on Facebook, this is one I intended to read anyhow; it seems like a good place to start. ( If I can still join at this point? )
Maybe for a name you could incorporate your blog’s name or tagline somehow?
Why wouldn’t you be able to join? Of course you can! :)
I was thinking about incorporating my name somehow, like, “Sweet & Savory Book Club,” but I thought that sounded kind of cookbook-y.
The ” Too Many Choices But Doing it Anyway Book Club” ? ;o)
Like.
Like also. (made me laugh)
I love the idea of Book Club…and the name, simple as it is! 1Q84 is definitely on my to-read list. On the YA side, I really loved Divergent, but it’s the first part of a yet-to-be-released trilogy. I ran a book club for a while in SF, and choosing a book was always the most stressful part. I think it went more smoothly when I just picked a book I was interested in and trusted the other people would at least give it a chance. I’m sure whatever you go with, you have a ton of people who will happily join you :)
Jane Austen’s Fight Club sounds like an absolutely excellent name for a book club.
LOVE this!! :)
Haha, it is a good name! The name is taken, though, so we’ll have to think of something better. No pressure.
Well, you’re feeding the mind, so sweet & savory could work…brain candy? Literal Addiction? (Not So)Literati? As the page turns?
I am SO wanting to read this book! What’s it about anyway? Ha ha. All I know is that it’s supposed to be fab, and I love the cover art. I’m so easily swayed! ~Melissa
Two suggestions:
Amor Towles – The Rules of Civility
Stephen King (yeah, I know, but its on every top 10 list right now) 11/22/63
Ack! The Stephen King was my other pick! I almost bought it 12 times over Christmas break. I’m really, really leaning towards that one! I updated the post to reflect that. Thank you!
Buy it! It is a solidly entertaining book.
I almost bought this book a couple of week ago, so I’m all for it. (I hear it is a very multi-layered, somewhat confusing read, though.) Also, maybe I didn’t say so, but I’m totally open to the Western Canon, too.
Hi!
I’ve been happily lurking since your 31 days series. I’d love to join in a book club with you–if you are accepting random strangers! I’d be happy to read just about anything, really–I mostly read non-fiction so this will be a nice change. I’m totally unfamiliar with “Young adult lit” –the only recent author I’ve read is M.T. Anderson, who is fantastic by the way. Looking forward to whatever you come up with–though I may not be able to get a hold of brand new releases quickly. Libraries get their books at the same time as everyone else–it’s just that there’s usually a waiting list to read them.
For example, for the book above: our city library system has 24 copies–I would be 164th in line. (Loan period is 3 weeks).
Random strangers are always welcome! :) Hmmm. That’s a good thing to consider about the new releases. I hate to think some people won’t be able to participate. I wonder if I can contact the publishers and ask for a few copies?
Cool – I’d vote for 1Q84 since I just got an email that the digital version is available for me from our library!
That book sounds interesting! Too bad about Jane Austen’s Fight Club- that was a good one!
We can always do Jane Austen’s Book Club.
The Jane Austen Book Club is a book (and not one I particularly enjoyed), so I’d recommend not using that as the name for the club! Unfortunately, I am completely blank on suggestions. For now.
As for books, I would love it if we could read books not quite so new, since I’ll be getting them from the library, mostly, and the waiting lists can be ferocious, as someone else mentioned.
As a librarian/heavy library user, I’d recommend going for a book that’s a year or two old to avoid the problem with holds. Also, if something is out in paperback already, it would be easier for people to buy if that’s their thing.
As far as suggestions in the YA realm, I’d recommend both Jellico Road and The Piper’s Son by Melina Marchetta – they’re definitely more literary than fluff, but not in a pretentious way – just good, meaty stories. Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly is another great one with plenty of potential for discussion. Or The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart.
For a name, I like Book Club!
What if you put specific people in charge of specific genres? That way you don’t feel all the pressure, and some of the responsibility is delegated? Just tossing that out there. I don’t want this to be totally overwhelming for you. You, after all, do have lots of William Morrising to do LOL.
Funny you should say that. I was thinking of putting you and Carey in charge of young adult, and having Gail and a few others help me whittle down the contemporary fiction picks. As for memoirs, someone (or two) else will have to volunteer for that one since I’m not a nonfiction kinda gal. I *think* Tristan reads a lot of memoirs. I know Nicole’s husband, Brandon, does. (Making it Lovely.)
Sweet niblets!
I’ll take on YA. Just point me towards my partner-in-crime and we’ll rock your socks. ;)
I’m a big memoir fan too. Just sayin’. ;-)
Awesome. Anyone else read a lot of memoirs?
I can help too if you want another cook in the kitchen! And it’s an old one, but I still am dying for you to read The Red Tent!
Perfect!
Loved The Red Tent! I remember receiving it in the mail (ordered a long time ago from Chinaberry) and thinking why the heck did I order a Bible story??? And then loving it and realizing the author is a very talented storyteller.
On a side note, my daughter went to Book Camp at Amherst last summer and Anita Diamant came and spoke. Unfortunately, turns out she’s not all that nice, didn’t know how to talk to teens, and was annoyed when people asked (too many, apparently) questions about The Red Tent.
BOOK CAMP?! I need a cigarette.
Book Camp – awesome, huh? Great Books Summer Reading Program – 1-3 weeks at Amherst or Stanford. I only wish they took grown-ups (and that my mom would pay for me the way she does for Rachel – it’s a little pricey).
ohhh, another vote for the red tent at some stage – LOVED it!
I am a LOVER of memoirs and history… that is the majority of what I read. I just finished a couple really good ones, I think anyway. I also read a lot of historical fiction, especially by Margaret George (my fave :). I like ’em big and juicy.
Just FYI… and although I am a stalker (but you knew that about me already) I am always reading the posts.
Late to the game, and there are so many choices of names for a book club – let alone choices of books! If there’s any chance of joining, I’d love to, as I’ve never been able to figure out what to read since finishing uni. and no longer being told what to read. Would be game for anything, especially Western Canon. Have always wanted to read Proust or Brecht, but this might not be the kind of thing others want? Also love using lists/awardees as a route for finding a good book – like the Booker prizes or other awards.
‘Waiting for Jane’…mixing titles/authors (that one might not be so good). Or Lady Chatterley’s Book Lovers Club…
looking forward to some great reads. thank you for doing this!
Anyone is welcome to join! We haven’t officially started yet, so you can’t even say you’re late. :)
Is the Stephen King book scary? I am such a baby, I had nightmares after reading From A Buick 8! And, honestly, I haven’t gotten into anything in the way of new literature since law school, unless you count scifi or the sookie stackhouse novels…. So I really don’t have any suggestions from newer novels. I think I’m about to reread some Lewis Carroll or perhaps one of the Bront� sisters.
I hope not, because I don’t do scary well! I would think it’s not, given the subject matter.
Both of the books are readily available in English here and both look good to me. Would you be interested in reading ‘White Teeth’ by Zadie Smith sometime down the road? It has been on my bookshelf for awhile now…
Absolutely! She’s been compared to some of my favorite authors.
Read it.
You’ll like it, Jules.
Both 1Q84 and 11/22/63 are on my list, so I’d be up for either choice as a first book club pick. As far as names, I personally like the simplicity of Book Club, and it makes me laugh for the same reason it does you. Plus, it somehow makes us sound tough. Like we could totally CUT you [in line for a book on the library wait list, except we probably wouldn’t because, you know, that would be pretty rude].
As a side note, I hope that you’re seeing as you set up Book Club that you’re not alone in your indecisiveness. Maybe we could have a tagline, too. Book Club: Phenomenally Indecisive since 2012. :)
Um:
“Like we could totally CUT you [in line for a book on the library wait list, except we probably wouldn’t because, you know, that would be pretty rude]. “ Hilarious. +200 points.
Book Club: We Don’t Know What the Hell We’re Doing.
I’m the MASTER of taglines that say absolutely nothing about business names that make no sense.
Book Club: We Don�t Know What the Hell We�re Doing.
That’s my favorite out of all of the suggestions in this post. :)
I am totally loving the “Book Club: Phenomenally Indecisive since 2012”! Now that, my friend, is some good times. :)
In keeping with my complete unhelpfulness, I’ll go with whatever you choose. I’m chalking it up as one less decision I have to make . . .
The 2 books you picked sound good. Never read SK either but heard a great review/interview w/him about this book & it got me interested. I’ve just started The Postmistress by Sarah Blake. It was on my list for a while & so far so good. Could go on a list for future books. Thanks, looking forwards to some good reads!
I vote for the Stephen King. Not too light, not too heavy. We can’t get something too involved, we don’t know what in the heck we’re doing yet! LOL
I kind of like the idea of just using Book Club too. That’s what we’re going to call it when we talk about it after all. “I’ve got to finish this up for book club tonight.” “I started this for book club, and I really love it.” “No one in this book club has any idea what they’re doing!” hehe
Murakami is one of my all time favourites, so I totally vote for him :D
I have read 1Q84 a while ago, but that was in German and well, yeah, quite a long time ago, as it was translated into that earlier than into English. The joys of being bilingual, eh? :)
I wanted to reread it anyway, and in English too, as I have found I prefer the English translations of his books to the German ones. So this would give me a good reason to pick it up again :)
Have you read Pippi Longstocking?
Of course it is a kids’ book, but one that I think can also be enjoyed by adults. The books are wonderful and from what I have heard completely underestimated by anglophone audiences thanks to some brainless cartoon version of it.
I vote for The Rules of Civility. I got it for Christmas. Also, I have never read SK either. I like that about book groups.
One idea: Not only might it be a good idea to spread out the genres, but perhaps also the length and density of the books. A short one after a long one, a fluffier read after a heavy one, etc. Just for change of pace and whatnot.
I’m really into YA fantasy, and I recommend most books by Robin McKinley (Beauty is my favorite of hers, though The Blue Sword is also excellent).
Also, how is this going to work? You announce what book is next and we read chapter by chapter together? Or you announce what to read by when, and when that date comes we all chat about it in the comments (presuming we’ve all finished the book)? Or is this something you can only do if you can meet up in person?
I love your suggestions about spreading out the length and density of books. As for how we are going to actually chat about the book, please see our unofficial tagline: We Don’t Know What the Hell We’re Doing. ;) That’s next on our list of decisions. Starting up an online book club is harder than I thought!
I’m not opposed to meeting online members in real life, too, if we are local or if it’s convenient for everyone.
It just sounded like for a minute there only locals could participate since it was going to be in person. I live in a different country. :(
Glad to know it’s not in stone yet!
It’s an online book club, so no worries. :)
I think I’m #83 on the waiting list for 11/22/63 by SK at my library, so I wouldn’t be able to catch up until maybe summertime! HA! I think it would be such fun to participate in your book club, but I can’t spend the lettuce to buy all of the books I’m interested in reading, so I’m totally at the mercy of the library and the wait list. I have several books on my “to read” list for 2012 and a few are re-reads like The Great Gatsby and Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas. I’m also thinking about reading along with my oldest son when his advanced CA class reads Fahrenheit 451 this semester. Nice to revisit old “friends”. :)
I think ‘Book Club: We Don�t Know What the Hell We�re Doing’ is the most hysterical name – go with it!
I totally understand. That’s the part that will be difficult: deciding on books everyone has access to. I think some months aren’t going to work out, but most will.
Will you start a new section on your blog for the Book Club? I dont live close, but would love to follow along if you have something online! Can’t wait!!!
The book club will be online! No need to live close by. :)
An online bookclub? Sounds awesome, and I loved the summary of 1Q84 — sounds right up my alley. For the most part, I haven’t enjoyed the SK I’ve read, but his “Gerald’s Game” is really good, with what I think is a very well-developed female lead, written by a man.
I like �Book Club: We Don�t Know What the Hell We�re Doing� – keeps it user friendly for first timers like me, and keeps it from ever even TRYING to be pretentious, which seems like a possible trap.
And like some other commentors, I’m happy to go with the flow selection and content-wise, as well as re-reading something I’ve already read. So if older material makes it more $feasible for some folks, still OK by me.
I will throw in my 2 cents. I am in a book club and we have a “rule” that we only read something that someone has “pre-read” and can recommend. This gives some assurance that we might enjoy it. But obviously squelches the opportunity to master a difficult read and feel all the better for it. What can I say. . . we call ourselves Book Club Lite, so that might say it all! I just looked up 1Q84 on amazon and read a few reviews. I noted it is 944 pages long–again, hate to sound like the type who can’t tackle a long book, becuase I actually do, BUT I also work, have a family, and juggle a ton of stuff–like we all do. Sometimes it is hard to get traction on a long story if you don’t have a dedicated daily/weekly good amount of time to read. So I give up before I start. Here is one review on Amazon that swayed me to think I wouldn’t start this book since I would be a new Murakami reader. . ..In summation- This book is arbitrary and ****ing long. Like I said before: if you’re after good Murakami (ESPECIALLY if you’re from the WORLD of new readers) here is NOT the place to start. And this is coming from a very big fan of his. . . . . .I’m glad that at least The New York Times agrees with me.
Just chiming in to share what I read on Amazon, but understand I am but one voice and others will likely feel differently.
These are all great points. I wasn’t even thinking of page counts when I saw that book, or how much time it would take to read. More things to consider. Thank you, Jeanne!
Can I just say I think the first order of business, rather than picking a book, should be ordering t-shirts with �Book Club: We Don�t Know What the Hell We�re Doing� printed on them!
Hi Jules – I think this is a fabulous idea. And you are already realizing there is a lot to consider. I have some experience here, having run a brief online bookclub on my blog and would be happy to help you sort it out (if you like). Many comments have already touched on splitting books into sections ( I would recommend dividing into 4 sections/1 per week). I would also recommend that you have some standard questions that you talk about with each book to get people thinking as they read. (Not in a homework kind of way, but in an oh, I want to be sure I mention this part kind of way.) Anyhoo…shoot me an email – I can talk books ALL DAY LONG. I also have some nice long genre booklists & sources. :)
Um, what is Western Cannon?
Can’t go wrong with Stephen King. I’ll read it one way or another.
But, I do think it is a good idea to choose older books that will be less expensive in the stores and digitally. Or maybe you can choose books that are on sale if they are otherwise good? I bought Water for Elephants (which had been on my list for years) before the movie came out for $1.99 through an Amazon special.
Hey Jules! SO sorry to just now be getting to this — I have been death-warmed-over sick this week and just today coming up to breathe!
OK, my vote is going to the Stephen King book – I’ve got a friend who read it in like, a day and a half (despite its heft) and said she adored it! And, like you, I haven’t read King in years and was aiming to make this my first jump back in.
If you guys do decide to go with the Murakami, I may bow out. I have a very well-read friend who ADORES him who told me not to read this. The consensus among those who have (based on comments on her GoodReads review) seems to be it’s not his best work — by a long shot (I’ve never read any Murakami before). Soo….I’ve been hesitant to give it a go because it’s huge size and what I’ve heard.
OK, well, happy picking, whatever the vote goes toward!!!!
I’m currently reading the Stephen King right now and I’m LOVING it! I’m a big King fan anyways, but this is great. I love the way he ties all of his stories together. Characters from other stories make appearances, story lines intersect, and mythology is not forgotten. It adds to a great story for long time readers, but doesn’t leave new fans in the dust. Will report back later as my reading progresses.
So what is the decision????? I’d like to participate……
I found your blog last night in a medication-induced haze, so I can’t even tell you how… but you had me at “phenomenally indecisive.” I’ve been reading posts like a fiend, but I had to comment when I saw you mention Jane Austen’s Fight Club. My friend Ina and I love JA and our friend Chuck, and we about died laughing when that video came out. Thanks for bringing it back to mind!