A combo of two suggestions by: Heidi and by litlove
Have you ever been a member of a book club? How did your group choose (ot, if you haven’t been, what do you think is the best way to choose) the next book and who would lead discussion?
Do you feel more or less likely to appreciate books if you are obliged to read them for book groups rather than choosing them of your own free will? Does knowing they are going to be read as part of a group affect the reading experience?
I have never been a member of a book club. One of my friends is a member, and she lets me in on her list of books to read, but even if she asked, I don't think I would join. It would be too much pressure to read and process the book, and I don't really like group settings like that anyway. Maybe if I was already friends with all of the members, but certainly not with people I don't already know. I do talk about books with that friend, and with others, but not in such a structured setting.
On a related note, I hate when a blurb for a book says "perfect for book clubs" or something like that. It sounds too much like an "Oprah" book (some of which have been good, but still) and it just makes my defenses go up. It translates to me as "this book is full of contrived situations or fake big ideas that you must talk about with all of your friends."
5 comments:
I'm not enticed by that "perfect for book clubs" label either - or by the book club reading guides!
I'm not terribly clubbish either :)
Must admit its a turn off as well
My his he being serious post!
I admit that I sometimes refer to a book in those terms--as being one suited for a book club. Usually I simply mean that the book is complex enough and deals with issues that are sure to encourage discussion.
I like the idea of a book club and my experience with online groups has been favorable for the most part. I love book discussions in general and it's even more rewarding when I can discuss a book I have read with someone else who has read it. I think so, at least.
I know that organized reading doesn't appeal to everyone though.
That's what I think "perfect for a book club" should mean, but that is rarely what the book delivers if that is the blurb on it. In person book recommendations are often better than the blurbs on the back anyway! :-)
Back cover blurbs are often misleading, aren't they? I tend not to pay much attention to the blurbs anymore.
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