or, Breaking the First Rule to Show How Book Clubs Can Improve Your Writing… I've joined two book clubs, and I can feel my approach to writing changing.
Sounds like you'd love our book club! We do take tangents, but always related to the book itself, either directly or indirectly. No talk about kids' soccer games or job woes or the like, in any case... lol
Oh my goodness, have you been eavesdropping on my book club? It's all teachers complaining about our jobs and bragging about our kid's sports clubs, lol.
Well I may be biased but I’m enjoying the three I belong to—probably because their structure works for me.
My longest-running book club (the one I’m in that you’re not) chooses eight books per year, sometimes with themes, ahead of time. Each of us suggests a title and is responsible for presenting that book. We pick meeting dates in advance and presentation dates. The social contract is important. We make a best effort to read the book. If we’ve picked the book, we say why we wanted people to read and discuss it.
No wine, no “you’re all friends from university and I’m new” type vibes, no long discussions of soccer games where all our kids are involved; those inevitably make “in” and “out” groups. We’re there for the books; then twice a year we’re there for parties. Works well.
Have I been known to complain that I’ve read too much Japanese literature lately, or that I bogged down in Don Quixote and resented not getting back those weeks of my life? Yup. But it’s worth it, for the most part.
I want to read books I otherwise wouldn’t because that broadens my writing horizons. And I enjoy the bookshop club because I might read those books on my own but as you say, it’s interesting to see how they strike READERS. Also, Lynne bakes!
I agree that the craft book club has a lot of promise!
Funny enough, the idea of a book club with wine doesn't really appeal to me. (A wine club discussing books though -- I might consider that...!) I very much like our mutual book club because it is eclectic and all about the books, too. And, it's fun -- wow, we all laughed at that last one! I feel like most people are invested in actually reading and discussing the book for what it is. (I know I came up short on the finishing part this month, but it was an aberration, I swear.)
I'm very much looking forward to seeing where the Writing Craft Book Club takes us!
I read A LOT, but I never belonged to a book club (and I don't plan to join one either). The idea of discussing a book with a glass of wine in hand is attractive, what stops me is book choice. I would have to find the club that matches my quirky tastes in reading: crime fiction (no cosy mysteries, please, yawn), non-fiction history, the occasional SF or horror pick, no romance (non merci), no celebrity bios ... and a preference for indie presses. As you can see, the list is extensive :) - Suspiciously absent is literary fiction and that elephant in the room "women's fiction" that most book clubs I know thrive on. So, sorry, I'll pass! One the other hand I'm known for latching on authors I didn't know just because a writer friend or other recommended them. This being said, I love to meet with book clubbers to talk about my stuff. These people are very very interesting!
Oh, for sure -- book clubs aren't for everyone. I don't think I'd be interested if it was women's upmarket fiction, for example. But I'm am an eclectic reader, so... We did read Longbourne and The Lifecycle of the Common Octopus, which could be considered that. But it's only part of the range of books we read.
And yes, I imagine those reading your books would be the most interesting readers of all!
BTW, I chuckled at your preference for indie presses but *not* literary fiction. In Canada, the two are almost synonymous... But I'm assuming you mean indie crime fiction, etc.?
I totally agree with you. I tried it once, didn't work for me. I believe in reading at my own pace and with the book of my choice. Later, if someone else has also read it, sure, let’s discuss it.
Yes, so did I. I also had many good conversations at the bookstore, where I am buying something or reading a summary and suddenly someone starts telling me about the same books.
I love book clubs but get disproportionately annoyed when we don’t talk about the book
Sounds like you'd love our book club! We do take tangents, but always related to the book itself, either directly or indirectly. No talk about kids' soccer games or job woes or the like, in any case... lol
Oh my goodness, have you been eavesdropping on my book club? It's all teachers complaining about our jobs and bragging about our kid's sports clubs, lol.
Yeah, that wouldn't be my jam, either. That being said, if everyone is in on the pretense, that's absolutely fine, too.
I'm loving our book club more and more!
Well I may be biased but I’m enjoying the three I belong to—probably because their structure works for me.
My longest-running book club (the one I’m in that you’re not) chooses eight books per year, sometimes with themes, ahead of time. Each of us suggests a title and is responsible for presenting that book. We pick meeting dates in advance and presentation dates. The social contract is important. We make a best effort to read the book. If we’ve picked the book, we say why we wanted people to read and discuss it.
No wine, no “you’re all friends from university and I’m new” type vibes, no long discussions of soccer games where all our kids are involved; those inevitably make “in” and “out” groups. We’re there for the books; then twice a year we’re there for parties. Works well.
Have I been known to complain that I’ve read too much Japanese literature lately, or that I bogged down in Don Quixote and resented not getting back those weeks of my life? Yup. But it’s worth it, for the most part.
I want to read books I otherwise wouldn’t because that broadens my writing horizons. And I enjoy the bookshop club because I might read those books on my own but as you say, it’s interesting to see how they strike READERS. Also, Lynne bakes!
I agree that the craft book club has a lot of promise!
I agree with all this!
Funny enough, the idea of a book club with wine doesn't really appeal to me. (A wine club discussing books though -- I might consider that...!) I very much like our mutual book club because it is eclectic and all about the books, too. And, it's fun -- wow, we all laughed at that last one! I feel like most people are invested in actually reading and discussing the book for what it is. (I know I came up short on the finishing part this month, but it was an aberration, I swear.)
I'm very much looking forward to seeing where the Writing Craft Book Club takes us!
I read A LOT, but I never belonged to a book club (and I don't plan to join one either). The idea of discussing a book with a glass of wine in hand is attractive, what stops me is book choice. I would have to find the club that matches my quirky tastes in reading: crime fiction (no cosy mysteries, please, yawn), non-fiction history, the occasional SF or horror pick, no romance (non merci), no celebrity bios ... and a preference for indie presses. As you can see, the list is extensive :) - Suspiciously absent is literary fiction and that elephant in the room "women's fiction" that most book clubs I know thrive on. So, sorry, I'll pass! One the other hand I'm known for latching on authors I didn't know just because a writer friend or other recommended them. This being said, I love to meet with book clubbers to talk about my stuff. These people are very very interesting!
Oh, for sure -- book clubs aren't for everyone. I don't think I'd be interested if it was women's upmarket fiction, for example. But I'm am an eclectic reader, so... We did read Longbourne and The Lifecycle of the Common Octopus, which could be considered that. But it's only part of the range of books we read.
And yes, I imagine those reading your books would be the most interesting readers of all!
BTW, I chuckled at your preference for indie presses but *not* literary fiction. In Canada, the two are almost synonymous... But I'm assuming you mean indie crime fiction, etc.?
Yes, indie crime fiction, lol... that's my lane! I assume some small presses are active in the literary niche, but I don't know them...
I totally agree with you. I tried it once, didn't work for me. I believe in reading at my own pace and with the book of my choice. Later, if someone else has also read it, sure, let’s discuss it.
Some of the best conversations I've had have been when I find someone who's read the same book as I have...!
Yes, so did I. I also had many good conversations at the bookstore, where I am buying something or reading a summary and suddenly someone starts telling me about the same books.