What does that mean? Absolutely nothing! (If you have the book and are ready to go. Otherwise, chop-chop!)
February Book Pick: Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
Read by: February 29, 2012
That’s it. This book club is going to be fun, no-stress, and, hopefully, something that exposes us at least once to a book we would normally not read. Other than that, I don’t have many concrete goals. I love books and want an excuse to gush about what I’ve read on a regular basis with people who have read the same book. That sums up the mission of our club.
Now, some answers to a few frequently asked questions.
- Is it too late to join?
Never. - How do I join?
You don’t. This isn’t a traditional book club, at least not yet. For now, all you need to do to consider yourself a member is to read the monthly pick. Participation in the discussion would be great, but I know what it’s like to be shy. Think about it. The majority of us don’t know what we’re doing, either. - By when do I need to finish the book?
We’ll be discussing Rules of Civility, at the very latest, on Wednesday, February 29, 2012. Some members of the book club have already finished the book. From what I hear, it goes by fast and is an easy, enjoyable read. Inspiring, too. - Are there discussion questions we should keep in mind?
Sort of. Amor Towles, the author of Rules of Civility,�created a discussion guide with the members of his own book club. This is what I plan to use. I have only skimmed it because it, at quick glance, appears to have mild to moderate spoilers. I don’t do spoilers, but if you do, go for it.
Now, I have two questions of my own.
- How often do you want to meet and discuss the book?
Option One: We can meet and discuss twice per month. The first meeting would occur in the middle of the month and discuss the first half of the book. The second meeting would occur at the end of the month and discuss the book in its entirety.
Option Two: We can meet and discuss the book in its entirety once per month at the end of the month.
Note: All dates will fall M-F so we don’t eat up weekend time. - Where do you want to meet and discuss the book?
Option A: Right here, in the comments section like we discuss everything else.
Option B: On the P&FF Facebook page.
Option C: Twitter, with hash-tags so that anyone can follow along.
Option D: Google+ has a chat room thing I know nothing about, but it’s been recommended.
Option E: A private forum, set up here.
Okay, that’s it. Are you ready? Excited? I have to say, I’m really nervous! I’ve never done anything like this, and I don’t want it to suck. I really want everyone to enjoy themselves. Fingers crossed…
Ok, you’ve intrigued me and I want in! :) If you anticipate the book generating a ton of discussion, it might be best to meet twice…it could also be interesting to see how views change (or don’t?). My vote is for discussion on the FB page so we get notifications when someone else comments. I vote no on Twitter because I don’t want to have to condense my commentary to 140 characters. But that’s just me! I’ll follow along whatever way you do it.
I don’t do facebook or twitter, so my vote is definitely for on here, like everything else.
I can’t see it needs it’s own private chatroom or forum and I’m loathe to have to access something specially (let alone work out how to get in and remember a new password) so option A please!
Thank you for organising this Jules; I’m really looking forward to it!
I have read great things about the book and am excited to get started with it. My vote for how often to meet would be at the end of the month. That would prevent people being exposed to “spoilers” mid-month if they weren’t far into the book. Any forum but Facebook is fine for me Thanks!
I don’t know if I’m going to do this one, but I think you should have the discussion once a month. Life happens and it may not be feasible for everyone to read half the book in the two weeks. As for where to meet? I’m not social media savvy so I say the comments area would be fine since obviously everyone knows how to get here. Just my lowly opinion though;)
The only thing you must consider, when meeting twice, is the people who’ve read the whole book and get away with themselves (“Oh, you mean the main character didn’t dump the love his life to join the circus in the first half of the book? Sorry-my bad!”).
Other than that, I’m fine with any of the meeting places (I’ve not used Google+ chat yet, but I’m always up for an adventure). . .
So totally in! I am judging by the cover and it fits with my Downton Abbey obsession… As for chats I Prefer option A, B, D or E. I also like option one with two chats, that may allow those fast readers to speak and allow the others to read as leisure.
Yay!
Becky, glad to see I have a fellow Downton Abbey comrade! This most recent episode – OMG!
I KNOW! Tears were shed.
I’d rather discuss it once at the end of the month. Either here or on FB. I don’t tweet or chat.
I’ve already started the book and I really like it. Very engaging, a fast read, but not too “fluffy.” I’m excited to discuss it!
I like the idea of conversation in the comments thread, and am fine with either 2 or 1 chats. I finished the book last night, and am looking forward to a more leisurely 2nd read-thru. It’s definitely an easy & engaging read, but not fluffy at all. Great 1st choice!
The author discussion guide is interesting, but I’m curious to hear where our various minds and experiences take the discussion, without it.
It was a new book at my library, so I grabbed it and read it last weekend. Really enjoyed it and looking forward to discussing it! My vote is for a single discussion here in the comments.
I would prefer once a month at the end. Comments would be easiest for me. Having said that – I’m going to read along and discuss regardless of where or when, so I guess I fit right into the PIBC. :)
Been reading your blog for more than two years now but have never commented. Love your wit and writing, and would love to follow along in the book club…right here in the comments section as I don’t use Twitter or Facebook.
PS, “I’m not opposed to satellite air” is one of the funniest lines ever. Thanks for the regular chuckles.
I’m still #55 on the waiting list for Rules of Civility! Eek!
I thought twice a month sounded grand until people started pointing out that accidental spoilers might happen. I’m totally one of those people that forgets which part of the book something happened in. So I think I should add my answer to Question 1 as Option A: Once at the end of the month.
As for Question 2, I’m good with any medium. I agree with someone up above that noted Twitter would limit us to 140 characters which could get cumbersome. I probably wouldn’t be as “active?” on here since there’s no way to get notifications of new comments or replies and I’d be left to my own dedication to remember to check in.
We’re having a give away tomorrow–two copies of the book. One more way to get the book for people who are still on waiting lists. And, that gives me another reason to like meeting once per month. Those who are having trouble getting the book have more time to get one and catch up.
Okay, good–I was planning on having the discussion here in the comments for at least this month for peace of mind, I’m glad the majority seems to favor keeping it in the comments section. As for getting notified when new comments hit, that’s no problem. I can install a plugin that allows for that.
awesome!
I’d love to participate! No strong preferences about where or how, but maybe a mild preference to keep it easy and do it here in the contents. By the way, the author has created a playlist of music from the period if you want a sound track while you read. https://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html?docId=1000697291
That was a genius move by Towles!
I’m practicing my commenting responses AND +1ing Shaina’s comment. Genius move, and hopefully saying I really wanted to hear the music while reading the book is not a spoiler! ;D
I’m going to try to join in the fun (depends on if I get my reading done for my other book club), and I’d vote for once a month discussions here on the blog (to continue to foster that sense of community we’ve talked about). So fun!
Oh yay–we’re starting. I too do not yet have the book–waiting for my library request–so once a month at the end, though not preferable, seems wise. Comments with plug-in is best as I too have chosen not to engage in other media.
My copy is arriving tomorrow! I’m just finishing another book, so I’ll be starting it right away — with that in mind, I vote to discuss it twice, once in mid-month. (Although that might be hard to do w/out spoilers!) As for my vote of locale…I’m open to anything, but the Facebook option is my least favorite. I’ve found that any friend who visits my wall can see my comments on your FB posts; I prefer to try to stay a little more private.
Funny, I’m pretty much over Facebook and Twitter, and it seems most of you are, too. Interesting.
I’m kind of excited to start this one, since it’s been on my reading list for a few months. Because you have threaded commenting capabilities, I don’t think there should be any problems with having the discussion here in the comments. I’m looking forward to it!
Well count me IN darling, that’s on my list, just ordered in on Amazon!! Comments here would be great, then future readers could refer to them as mini critiques!
Kate
I am in and excited! Just kindled the book today and have enjoyed what I’ve read so far. I will echo others’ votes for a once a month conversation in the comments. Thank you!!
February 29 at the latest? Holy cow, I’ve gotta get my read on (um..after I get my book-procuring on. Heh.)
I vote meeting once per month- once everyone has finished the book we’ll have more to discuss, and there won’t be any chance of people who have finished the book dropping spoilers for the half-finished.
I don’t think Twitter would be the best option- 140 characters at a time seems really restrictive, especially if there is a lot to discuss. I would prefer some kind of real-time chatroom, so that it flows more like a conversation. There is nothing worse (okay, maybe SOME THINGS are worse) than posting something, hitting refresh, and seeing that 6 other people posted the exact same thing at the same time. Then you have people replying to some commenters but not others…you end up with several threads running in parallel, instead of one cohesive conversation.
Kat, the duplicate posts is a point I hadn’t thought of with the blog thread. However, a real-time conversation might be even more difficult to come by with everyone in different time zones and working different hours.
#1 – once a month; #2 – here or a private forum
I am number 61 on the (county wide) waiting list at my library.
I downloaded the book to my Kindle last night and have started reading it. Since I work, it would be great to hold the discussion via Twitter or FB as I can “read along with you” on my phone during breaks from work. That’s my vote! :)
Another vote from a long time reader who never posts comments. Am looking forward to reading the book and participating in the club. I vote for discussions once a month here in the comments section. Thanks Jules!
I’ve been super quiet today, and I’m sorry. I’m at the very beginning of a cold (sore throat, achy) and have been trying to rest. Also, I had to take Mikey to the pediatrician for a check up. I know you all don’t mind, but I feel weird that I haven’t responded personally today! :)
Hope you’re not feeling too bad today!
My vote is for once a month and either here in the comments section or on FB. Looking forward to it!
Prefer once a month, here in comments, but wouldn’t mind the others except Twitter. I don’t do Twitter! I’m #17 out of 12 in our county’s ebook list!
I think once a month here would allow for the greatest accessibility and maybe you could add a middle post just checking the temperature and asking general stuff like – how do you like it so far or including a quote you liked… Excited to see how it all shakes out!
FWIW, I’ll chime in just to say I’m also on board with one meeting at the end of the month and although any forum is fine, it seems like most are down with commenting here, which sounds great to me. This is going to be fun, y’all. :)
What about a members only P&FF Facebook GROUP? I like that we could sorta be hidden from full view… but folks would have to ask to join.
I was iffy on joining- but I’m going to order the book from Amazon today! : )
I’m visiting for the first time and I’m in on this book club. Just had someone comment on my blog about a new book club and I was wistful about not being in one at the moment. Woo-hoo – now I am. I’ll look for the book on Amazon. I’m fine with either commenting here – or google+. Google+ is new to me and I’d love to get more comfortable with it – but I don’t twitter either so that wouldn’t work for me.
How often do you want to meet and discuss the book?
Option Two: We can meet and discuss the book in its entirety once per month at the end of the month.
Where do you want to meet and discuss the book?
Option A: Right here, in the comments section like we discuss everything else.
…those are my picks because I might not be halfway through the book halfway through the month (life happens, you know? You read when you can), and because I don’t join Facebook groups/pages, don’t have a Twitter account, etc. Just here, please.
I’m so glad you’re doing this! I’m voting for discussions once per month. As for where, a thread in here would be nice. Facebook would be a great way to talk about it between now and the 29th. Don’t worry that it will suck, it won’t. I’ve been wanting to do a book club for a while but it’s hard for people to find time. This is so much more convenient. Thanks for putting this together!
Ohhhh…. M-F day time will be so hard… ! :*( I’m afraid it is not conducive to my schedule at all. Well, in reality, my schedule is pretty varied, but pretty much weekdays are out. So, I would have to vote for discussion on the blog, but I totally understand if those of you with a life wanna do an official chat thing.
Brandi
once a month – end of month. right here is good. can you remind or email those of us who are in a few days before?