Friday, June 14, 2019

Book clubs: Keziah Frost asks are you in one?


HALLIE EPHRON: These days I love talking to book clubs. I mean, these people who actually read my book! Such a precious thing.

Back in the day,  I was in a book club. These were serious readers and I slogged through a lot of books I'd never otherwise have read. As you might imagine, this was a good thing and a bad thing.
Inevitably, as I got busier and started writing and reviewing, there were too many books and too little time.

I've missed it, so it's fun to hear from Keziah Frost about the amazing book club she started. And, by the way, her new novel, Getting Rid of Mabel. Classify it as... read on, it's a great new category that I'll be looking for.

KEZIAH FROST: Book clubs seem to be everywhere now. While
they say this is an age of loneliness, it’s also an age of finding new ways to connect.

Like the literary salons of yore, book clubs create a gathering place for people who want to react with others to the latest “great read.” Each book club has its own personality, its own vibe, to suit the members of that particular group.

There are book clubs that don’t discuss the book and are more wine-focused. Others discuss the book-of-the-month in great depth.

About four years ago, I got an idea for a book club after reading Marie Kondo’s The Magical Art of Tidying Up.
I gathered all my 800 books in the living room, and I picked up each one, asking myself not “Is this a classic?” or “”Was this a gift?” or “Have I read this yet?”—but only the one clarifying question: “Does this spark joy?” By the end of the afternoon, I had 400 books going to Goodwill and 400 staying. I set the joy-sparking books in the book cases in new categories, giving one full shelf to novels in French.

I sat down to gaze at that shelf and felt the joy of seeing all those French novels side by side, and then asked myself: Why don’t I speak French more often, since French gives me joy? Why isn’t there a French book club around here? Why don’t I start one?

Four years later, our French book club is going strong, with six earnest members arriving at our monthly meeting with seriousness of purpose, copious notes, and a good store of wine, tea and biscuits.

I’ve visited several book clubs in my area to discuss my first novel, The Reluctant Fortune-Teller. It’s become one of my favorite author-ly things to do. There’s always a sense of warmth, often
excitement, and sometimes even hilarity. And it is a wonderful, surreal experience for me to hear readers animatedly talking about my characters as if they are real people. I love it, because they are real people (in a way) to me, too.

As my second novel, Getting Rid of Mabel, hits the bookstores, I am getting more invitations to visit book clubs in the coming months.
Those that are far away will be Skype visits. I’m looking forward to readers’ reflections and questions about Margaret Birch, eighty-seven years old, who learns to her horror that she has a double, a doppelganger, who has come to her town and is doing scandalous things. To add to the mayhem, a foster child “with behavior problems” is brought into the family circle. As Margaret and her friends deal with these two challenging strangers, comedy meshes with lessons learned.

Like The Reluctant Fortune-Teller, Getting Rid of Mabel is categorized as “up-lit.” Uplifting literature. Its purpose is to make the reader laugh, while also offering some things to think about.

And you, readers? What are your thoughts and experiences on book clubs?

And Reds, have you visited book clubs, and how does it feel to listen to readers discuss the characters who were born in your brain
?

HALLIE: UP-LIT! I love it!! And it's exactly what the world needs now, that's for sure.

Are you in a book club? Have you been? And... how do you decide which books to toss and which to keep?


About Getting Rid of Mabel:
Carlotta Moon, eighty-one years old, is the uncontested leader of Carlotta’s Club–and has been for as long as anyone can remember.
Her loyal followers have always obediently thrown themselves into every new scheme she has ever proposed. Her most recent project was turning Norbert, a retired accountant, into a reluctant fortune-teller. Her ideas for future adventures are limitless, as is her confidence that her Club will always follow her.
Enter Mabel Paine.

For the first time, Carlotta finds an unlikely yet worthy opponent in a bizarre infiltrator. A stranger who bears an uncanny likeness to Carlotta’s oldest friend Margaret comes to town and threatens to hijack their Club. To add to the chaos, Carlotta’s niece brings an angry foster child “with behavior problems” into the family circle. To cope with both newcomers, Carlotta must learn her life lessons about love and belonging.

Getting Rid of Mabel
follows the characters that first came to be in The Reluctant Fortune-Teller. Norbert Z is here again, playing a supporting role to his nemesis, Carlotta Moon.

86 comments:

  1. Congratulations, Keziah, on your new book. I’m looking forward to reading it.

    Sad to say, I don’t belong to a book club.
    As for deciding what books to toss: I don’t toss books, so I don’t have to decide. If I loved it enough to buy it, I love it enough to keep it. Of course, that means I often find myself looking for a space large enough to hold another bookcase . . . .

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    1. In our house, my husband is the book collector (big surprise). He has nearly a hundred books o birds. About double that on New York City. And I've threatened to withhold treats if he turns up with another book without getting rid of one. He ignores me.

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    2. Joan, I can only guess, then, that you practice more restraint than I do when buying books in the first place! Since that day 4 years ago when I tossed 400 books, I believe I have accumulated at least 200 more! And as you say, space is the issue then!

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    3. Hallie, but how wonderful that you share this love of books! (But really? 100 books on birds!?)

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  2. The book sounds wonderful, Keziah! Is your up-lit also crime fiction?

    I love speaking to book clubs. I've only done it once by Skype and both the video and sound quality were frustrating, so there are some kinks to work out about that. But I now have a new cozy series featuring a book group that only reads cozy mysteries - and the members help the protagonist solve the crime, of course. That's the only book club I'm currently "in."

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    1. What a great idea for a series! Congratulations, Edith. Can't wait to hear more.

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    2. Thanks, Hallie! Murder on Cape Cod was in the top ten of B&N's bestseller list for weeks. ;^)

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    3. Edith, Up-lit could be crime fiction, but not necessarily. Alexander McCall Smith's books, while categorized as mysteries (The Number One Ladies' Detective Agency), I would also consider them up-lit. Other examples would be Fannie Flagg and Sophie Kinsella (Shopaholic), and those are not crime fiction. I'd say other recent popular books that fit would be A Man Called Ove and The Rosie Project.

      Yes, Skype is not always reliable. Some prefer Zoom, another option, but I don't know that it's any better.

      So...you're in a book club with your fictional characters? I totally get that.

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    4. And congratulations, Edith, on your series!

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    5. Thanks! The book group series is written as Maddie Day.

      I hear you about the Ladies' Detective Agency series - love it.

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  3. Congrats on the book Keziah!

    I never thought I would but I actually do belong to the Mystery Book Club at my town's local library. They got a new director in recent months and he resurrected the club. I happened to catch the announcement of the first meeting and decided to try it out.

    We actually had our monthly meeting last night. We had read the Eva Gates Lighthouse Library book 'Reading Up A Storm' and after talking about the book (general consensus was that we all liked the book) selected Kate Carlisle's first Bibliophile Mystery book 'Homicide in Hardcover' as the book for our next meeting. This is a good selection since I've always wanted to try out the series but just never got around to it.

    As for deciding what books to keep or get rid of, signed books stay with me forever. Books by authors that I consider myself a huge fan of stay as well.

    There are other factors that determine whether or not I keep books as well.

    As for books I get rid of, if I didn't like the book that one goes. If there's no chance I'll ever read a book again, I let go of them as well. Normally I either pass it on to someone that is looking for a book to read. But I also donate books to the library as well. Sometimes, if the book is in great condition, I'll list it on eBay though that doesn't happen often.

    And I've also brought a few books to the mystery club and let others pick up stuff if they wanted it.

    I actually find myself enjoying the gathering which is definitely a surprise to me.

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    1. Yay, Jay!!! And Yay for your town's new library director. Wish my library had a mystery book group.

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    2. Thank you, Jay!
      Your book club sounds fun! The conversations you can have with other readers about books you just read are interesting ones. Those of us who are introverts at heart prefer that kind of conversation to small talk!

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    3. Hallie, I'm sure if you asked about a mystery book group at your library, they'd be sure to start one.

      Keziah, I'm not an introvert so much as I'm semi-anti social. I like to be social on my accord or in a limited time frame. Book signings/talks are good because they are invariably quite time dependent. Of course, there are times when I can be a chatterbox as well so I guess it just depends on the situation.

      As for the book club, as I said, it has been a surprise to me that I've enjoyed it thus far. It hasn't quite taken off as the number of attendees is still small. I'm hoping that it grows in the next few months since I've had one author who posts here on JRW offer to come down should we end up choosing one of their books to read. And I'd obviously want it to be worth their time and effort to do so.

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  4. Up-lit forevah! Definitely a need these days and good news when it's a new book by Keziah Frost!

    No book clubs for me. My reading time is precious; I'll choose my own next book to read. But that might change--one of my best friends belongs to the library's book club and she's thoroughly enjoying the experience.

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    1. Thank you, Flora, for the hip-hip-hooray!
      Up-lit is one of my favorite genres. Some of my favorites, other than those I named above, are novels written in the thirties by Brits. PG Wodehouse's Jeeves series is one example. Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons is another. It's good for us to laugh.

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    2. I love Wodehouse! But somehow I've never read Cold Comfort Farm. Must remedy...

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    3. Oh, yes! And I don't think I'd bother with the movie version. The book is too perfect!

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  5. Congratulations on your new release!
    I'm in an on-line mystery writers book club. We have a live video chat once a month: Crais, Connelly, Krueger, McDermid, Rozan. I've read and analyzed books I should have read a long time ago...and learned about the craft of mystery writing.

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    1. Sounds like you're learning from the best!

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    2. How do you do a live video chat?

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    3. one option is Face Book (author appears on screen, talks, the rest of us type comments).

      The book club option is Supercharge. The teacher/author speaks and is visible on screen and the rest of us connect via computer, mobile phone, or dial in by location. We're all visible to each other and can hear each other, so it's a conversation.

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    4. I never heard of Supercharge! Do you find it has better reception than Skype or Zoom?

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  6. Thank you, Margaret!
    What a fabulous idea is your mystery writers book club! For things like this, I do love the internet!

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  7. Congratulations on "Mabel". I'm not a book clubber. I can give lots of the usual excuses for not belonging but the truth is... I'm wildly selfish about my experience when I read a book I love. I am fully invested in the characters and the setting and I'm not at all open to having someone tell me they visited my special place and found it wanting.

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    1. You have stated my thoughts exactly, Lyda! If you don't love the book as much as I did I don't want to hear about it. If I disliked the book I really don't want to spend any more time or energy discussing it either.

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    2. Judi and Lyda,
      I find that with other things, too. It's hard for me to understand why other people don't love the same things I do! But then, I guess they say, that's what makes the world go 'round....
      But yes, I love what I love, and it's not really up for debate!

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  8. Ooh Lydia,
    I love this! You're a passionate reader indeed, then! So someone criticizing a character one likes is similar to someone criticizing one's friends. Or worse. I feel that way about certain characters, too!

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    1. Excuse me! Not Lydia. LYDA. And it's a beautiful name. My apologies for getting it wrong the first time.

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  9. How fun, Keziah! I look forward to hanging out again with your fun characters from Fortuneteller.

    This is a timely post for me, as we are moving to a new home any minute, and I will need to pare down my vast book collection to fit in our new place. We have already moved a basement full of stuff, although not everything, since we are still living in the old house. Only the books (and other stuff) I love will end up on shelves. I hope. I had a wall of shelves built in to the longest wall in the living room, but it is not infinite space. LOL

    My big problems are 1) having too many author friends whose books I want to keep, many signed. 2) series. I tend to forget which books I've already read/not read, if they are not physically on shelves.

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    1. Karen, thank you so much for hanging out with my characters!
      I think you'll find, as I did, that reviewing all your books and deciding which ones to keep is not just about housekeeping: it's really "inner work." You identify who you are now, and what you value now. It was very worthwhile for me to do that exercise.
      Plus lots of people elsewhere got some really great books that I'd been hanging onto for years!
      Happy moving, Karen!

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  10. Love this! And what a brilliant brilliant brilliant idea. I am no longer in a book club, since I had to stop when I started… Writing my book. But it was a real joy to sit around and talk about a book, and it meant I read some books I wouldn’t ordinarily have chosen. It is such a lovely idea in every way, full of intellectual growth, and thought-provoking discussions, and deepening friendships. I loved it.
    And when clubs choose my book? I faint with gratitude.

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    1. Hank, I'll keep that in mind as I pushed for 'Trust Me' last month. It wasn't chosen, but I'm going to bring it up again soon. Or by that point, maybe it will be 'The Murder List' that I push for.

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  11. Hank, I feel the exact same way about book clubs choosing my book.
    It's a strange and wonderful experience to sit in a circle of people discussing my characters with strong opinions! I'm no longer alone in my "fictive dream."

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    1. Exactly--and sometimes, they'll ask you how you "decided" things that your really didn't decide. Someone said to me--I LOVE how Mercer's name mean "mercy." And I'm like--sure. :-)

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    2. Yes, that is the best! Somehow it feels as if these characters and their stories don't belong to me; they came through me, if that doesn't sound too woo-woo. Or maybe it does, but what can you expect from the author of The Reluctant Fortune-Teller?

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    3. I think that is--devoutly to be wished. xx

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  12. Ran a few book clubs years ago, (the books were written using scrolls and parchment)... not in a book club now, would love to be part of an online book club. The Reds did a book discussion a few years back -- that was so much fun. Maybe a another book event?

    Wishing you all the best with Mabel, Keziah, I look forward to adding it to my pending sparks of joy pile.

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    1. Thank you, Coralee! You gave me quite a laugh there with your scrolls and parchment!

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    2. Coralee, didn't Lucy organize that? It was fun. Maybe we should think about doing it again.

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  13. Welcome, Keziah! Having really enjoyed The Reluctant Fortune Teller, I'm eager to try Getting Rid of Mabel. And I love that someone has come up with a name for the type of books I so enjoy. Almost every book on your up-lit list is one that gave me joy!

    I am in a book club for the first time in my life, and I'm finding it a positive experience. It is a neighborhood group, so that is the only real commonality among the women who joined. (It was open to all, but only women have ever participated.) I especially enjoy the age diversity in the group, since our members run in age from barely 30 to mid 70's. We definitely do not all have the same taste in books, so it has been eye opening. But on the rare occasion that we are all enthusiastic about the book, it is a celebration indeed. (Last month we read Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and we had that rare convergence. Of course, it would CLEARLY qualify as up-lit.)

    As a fairly new club, we are evolving how we select our titles. At first, everyone threw some suggestions in a hat and then we randomly drew from that group each month. But after we read three consecutive titles that were thrillers of the Gone Girl variety, we all agreed that we needed to be a little more intentional about pacing ourselves. We still use member-suggested-titles in the hat, but we select, look it up online, and mutually decide if that should be next month's title or if it should go back in for a later month. That seems to balance respecting the variety of tastes with providing variety month-to-month.

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    1. Susan, I'm so glad you really enjoyed The Reluctant Fortune-Teller!
      And yes, certainly Eleanor Oliphant is a great example of up-lit!
      Your book club age-group span is ideal. It's great to be able to mix up the ages and have everyone share thoughts on books. So true that it's mostly women who join these circles. It's great to have men join as well, but it seems that the women are more attracted to a social circle that regularly meets and builds relationships over time. It's a beautiful thing.

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    2. Susan, the mystery group I belong to is mostly women. So far it is just me and one other guy (the library director) representing the male readers of the world.

      I know that before I go to a meeting, I make sure to have a list of 6-8 books to offer as suggestions. And I mix the list up with male and female authors and different genres under the mystery/thriller banner. And some books that I've read, some that I haven't.

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  14. I've been in three book clubs, but only one now. Hank joined one online for a discussion. Nancy Pickard joined another via speakerphone, and a couple years ago Hallie Skyped into the book club I've kept.

    It's always fun to discuss books with the author, but I've found that members tend not to say negative things in those discussions. Only after the author is no longer part of the conversation do those types of comments come out, for some reason. Mind you, they were always from the same members who make negative comments EVERY time, predictably. But I thought that was an interesting point, that they were reluctant to criticize the author in person.

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    1. The first book my group read, pretty much no one liked. But yes, if the author had been there I think the comments would've been far more restrained. It just seems RUDE to dump all over a book if the person who wrote it is right there with you, even if you hated it.

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  15. Well, that just shows good manners, I think!
    Because clearly, the author has done her very best, and if someone doesn't like the book, there's nothing she can do about it now, even if she wanted to!
    It's great, isn't it, that with technology we can now have authors participate in our book clubs! Fewer authors are going on tour now, since readers have access to their authors in these online ways.

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    1. Good manners in some cases, but not all. However, I love your generosity of spirit, Keziah!

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    2. Ah, I see! There's another way to read it!
      Ah well. Some people love to be negative, even about books. On the bright side, people are passionately engaging...about books!

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    3. Keziah, I agree that there are less author tours these days. Which stinks because getting to a convention where a large swath of authors are isn't easy or even possible for a lot of us. So the individual book signings are the only chance to meet and get a signed book from an author that we as fans have come to enjoy.

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    4. Yes, I love to meet authors, too. However, from what I understand, it happens too often that a publisher sends an author on tour and no one shows up at several of the events. Unless the author already has a really huge name, or there's been a ton of hype about the book. So authors are not being sent out as they once were.

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  16. Hooray! A new Keziah Frost book! And I love the idea of up-lit, since the world is stressful enough without reading books that make me sad and angry. I have never been in a book club, mostly because the ones my friends are in are devoted to "serious literature," most of which I can't imagine anyone enjoying. My aunt was in one for years, though, that sounds much more my speed. They read best-selling thrillers, and called themselves the Three Bs. It stood for Books, Broads, and Booze!

    Off to order "Mabel"! And wishing you great success with it, Keziah!

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    1. Gigi,
      I laughed out loud at the 3 B's!
      Yes, I love a book that can make me laugh, and up-lit tends to do that.
      Thank you for your kind words and I'm excited that you're going to read Getting Rid of Mabel!

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  17. I definitely enjoy up-lit. Nothing like a good story and a good resolution. I'm not a book clubber. I tried a neighborhood club years ago and felt lucky to make it home in one piece after the first meeting. My sister started a book club in her area a few years back but it quickly fell apart. Two of the members who were friends refused to read certain kinds of books and it all went downhill
    from there.Our neighborhood library does have a mystery book club that meets on a Saturday afternoon once a month. I've thought about it but it seems like the timing never works out. And I did try reading a book and "discussing" it online this past year but it was not satisfying. Perhaps when we have relocated and settled I'll try to find that "perfect" book club!

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    1. Pat, it does seem that each book club has its own very definite personality, and it could take time to find the right fit.
      I'm intrigued that you felt lucky to make it home in one piece. What did they do to you?!

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    2. The only mystery genre I have a hard time reading is psychological thrillers. So that would be a hard read to get through if the club chose it. But I'd still do it. Refusing to read a book that is chosen is kind of missing the point of being in a book club.

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    3. Two women took it on themselves to run the show that evening. They made their pronouncements and didn't brook any suggestions to the contrary. I'd said something about middle child syndrome perhaps contributing to the issues in the book and they shut me down so fast it was crazy. At least there was no blood! So much for "discussing"!

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  18. Up-lit--yes! I have enjoyed just about all the books/authors you mentioned, Keziah, but didn't have a name for what I loved. At this point in life, I don't need to make room for depressing books.

    I co-founded a book club at one place where I worked, and it was a lot of fun. Since then, I haven't participated in one. Because I read so fast and so obsessively, I guess I didn't want to waste time on a book I knew I wouldn't enjoy. Recently I attended a Barnes & Noble Book Club meeting focused on a book that I had read but about which I had mixed feelings. To my surprise, I really enjoyed it, especially since the main reason I attended was to meet new people. And their most recent pick, Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner, just happens to be waiting for me at the library, where I put it on hold months ago.

    At Barnes & Noble I met Irene, who invited me to the Casual Book Club in San Jose. I love their premise: they pick a genre or category each month, rather than a particular book. Those who attend describe a book or books they have read (recently or otherwise) that they think others will like. Since the next meeting's genre was mysteries, I gave it a try . .. and loved it! I even picked this month's category--books set in the SF Bay Area (where we live).

    In addition, I'm going to try the new Dickinson College (my alma mater) book club and the Read it Forward book club, both of which (conveniently) have selected the same book this month--Educated by Tara Westover, which I had been planning to read. It's not the same as interacting with others in person, but it looks like fun.

    One thing I have learned about book clubs is that I don't need to take notes while reading so I'll be able to contribute to the discussion (I read fast and don't retain a lot when I'm on to the next book). That actually ruins the reading experience for me. Now I know I can go back after reading it and jot down a few notes, and that will work for me.

    Keziah, I've been looking forward to your new book since I enjoyed The Reluctant Fortune-Teller so much.

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    1. Margie, I'm so happy to hear you've been looking forward to Getting Rid of Mabel!
      Now, the premise of the Casual Book Club is one I haven't heard before, but it makes so much sense! I love it!

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  19. I read about 150 books a year, each one chosen by me alone. So no book club here, not unless I got to choose all the reading! I do recommend books to my neighbor's club though. Their average is eighty, so I have to be mindful of the four letter word content.

    My mother belonged to one. It was an exclusive group, limited to twelve members. Once a year they all went into the "city" -- Kansas City -- together, had lunch, and went to some bookstore. They each picked out one book, a hardback, most likely a best seller, and bought it. Then they met monthly at someone's home, drank quite a lot of highballs, and passed the book they'd just read onto the next person. There was no discussion of literature involved in these meetings. But once a year a new book appeared in our bookcase. All the rest of the reading came from the library, and there was a lot of it. Actually purchasing a novel was a luxury.

    I remember the summer meeting when my mother decided to serve this new drink, a Tom Collins. The book club ladies loved it, and each had more than one drink, getting more voluble as the evening word on. Small town where everyone walked, so no worries about driving. It was only after all had gone home that Mother discovered she'd forgot to add the gin, didn't even open the bottle. They'd all got tipsy on Collins mix, with a twist.

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    1. And congratulations on the new book. Just ordered it!

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  20. Finta, thank you so much! I hope that Getting Rid of Mabel makes you laugh!
    The Book Club for 80s: wouldn't that be a great setting for an up-lit plot? or a mystery plot? Yes, watch the language there! :)
    Your Tom Collins story is a hoot! That should go in the book. Life just hands us all these precious jewels that are supposed to reappear in books!
    Great story, Finta. Thank you!

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  21. Hi Keziah! So excited about the new book, and, yes, I love up-lit, too. What a great term. I'm about to tackle a major book purge, and "spark joy" is going to be my mantra. Reading your post made me realize why I keep the books I keep. I have all of Elizabeth Peters Amelia Peabody books, for instance, in battered paperback, but they make me smile every time I look at them. Quite a lot of the "serious" crime fiction is going to go this time around, however, I think.

    I've never belonged to a book club. I'm very possessive of my reading time, and I certainly don't want to read to a deadline--enough pressure with the writing deadlines! I love the Casual Book Club idea, though!

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    1. It's too bad that there can't be some kind of book swap with all the JRW people doing a purge. I'm sure there are lots of us that would look at a list and say, "I'll take these off your hands".

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  22. Yes, that kind of book purge, where the only question is "Does this spark joy?" is very helpful in values clarification. As I looked at my books after that purge, they spoke back to me, telling me who I am now.
    However, as I mentioned, I've since bought a bajillion more books, so another purge is in my future. I just can't resist buying books.

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  23. I love speaking to book clubs, but I've never belonged to one - probably because up until recently I've been doing the mom thing with busy teens.

    And I have to say, I love the premise of "Carlotta's Club," because it is SO true to life. I know a lady of mature years who runs EVERYTHING in our town - local ladies do-good society, the garden club, the historical society, etc., etc. I always think she would have been CEO of General Motors if she'd been born a couple decades later.

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    1. Ha! Yes, Julia, I agree that Carlotta is CEO material.

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  24. Kezia, welcome back to Jungle Reds!

    Hallie, I am so glad I stopped by this morning! I joined a book club at my library. It was the Jane Austen book club and I finally started reading the Jane Austen novels. I had seen the movies, though I had not read the books.

    Unfortunately, I had to stop going to the book club because they moved the meetings to another room where you cannot set the chairs in a circle. I could not see everyone because of the new set up. Yes, I had mentioned this to the book club leader. She has no control over the room assignment. It was the library that decided the room assignments :-(

    Still, I am thankful for the book club because it got me started on reading all of the Jane Austen novels. And I participate in several online book clubs on Instagram, which is much easier for me!

    Diana

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  25. Bibliophile, I will follow you on Instagram if you send me your Instagram name. I love Instagram because I find the pictures engaging, and because you can click to simultaneously add your post to Twitter and Facebook, which saves me time.
    I love Jane Austen's wit and irony!

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    1. Kezia, thank you! My IG name is wonderwomandbookish. And I look forward to reading your book. Diana

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  26. Kezia, the new book sounds so good. I'm going to put it in my Amazon cart and order it soon. I so admire you for starting the book club that you wanted to exist. How did you find the members? That's what has me flummoxed. I would so love to be in a book club that meets once a month, having lunch some place and discussing the book. However, I worry that if I advertise, like on FB, for local members, I won't get the mix of people that I'd enjoy. Most of my reading friends don't live locally, so that makes it harder. I've thought about an online book club, but I'd really love to have an in-person group. My daughter goes to one of her library's book clubs. They meet at a little deli-type restaurant once a month. I'd think about doing that one, but it's an hour away, they meet in the evening, and I wouldn't want to intrude on something that is hers by making it mine, too. Maybe I'll learn something from Carlotta that will help me.

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    1. I'm happy you have Getting Rid of Mabel in your cart!
      Since my book club is a French language one, I went through my local branch of Alliance Francaise.
      For your club, the local bookstore or the local library might be a good place to start.
      Yes, Carlotta knows a lot about running clubs, and running things generally; she's a good one to watch! ;)

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  27. Kezia, I love talking to book clubs, especially if we're talking about my cupcake bakery mysteries as they feel compelled to have cupcakes on hand. And Up-Lit is a new favorite genre for me. I have found if a book makes me cry, we need to break up. I just can't be left in gloom these days - the daily news is enough for that. LOL. Looking forward to your book!!!

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    1. cupcakes are always good!
      I do love up-lit, and then my next favorite genre would be psychological suspense--which is not uplifting but rather feeds feelings of gloom. I kind of toggle between the two!

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  28. Question for everyone:

    When you have a book club in person, how do you set up the room? In a circle so you can see everyone? Or seated around a square table?

    Diana

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    1. The book club I'm in uses a room in the library so there's a table and we just sit around the square table. I have no problem seeing everyone so I don't feel I'm missing out on something by not having a circle.

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    2. Our book club happens to have an oval table: that's just the table we were provided with. I think it works well.

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    3. Jay and Keziah, that's wonderful! When the book club started, we could move our chairs into a circle and it was easier for me to see everyone.

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  30. I used to belong to a book club & we usually met for dinner. It was a lot of fun, even tho everyone did not always like the book we were reading. We had a number of authors visit via skype or in person. Sadly the club disbanded a few years ago & have not joined another club.
    The book club was great when it came time to purge books. Almost always the other members or members of the restaurant staff would take the books off my hands.

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    1. Sounds like a happy experience. Maybe another book club will come your way!

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  31. I belong to three book clubs, and have been snookered into facilitating two of them. In one, we only read debut novels and we are a growing, extremely eclectic and educated group. The one that has been going on for over a decade involves lunch and is the most homogenous; most of us have known each other for decades. Half of us like fiction; half of us like non-fiction. We are losing members to age and Florida. The third is a town group that meets at a tavern or a member’s fire pit on the lake. The book choices veer to the light, but I have enjoyed getting to know ladies I probably would never have met otherwise - and they are a hoot. Last year I had two of the three groups and their spouses to our home for a holiday party, and everyone had a good time. They all love books and talking about books. This year, I’ll invite all three.

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    1. This is one of the great benefits of book clubs: friendships that endure. That's lovely, Deborah.

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  33. Although I love mysteries about book clubs, I've never been in one. I don't drive at night and am pretty busy most days, too.

    I keep some of my childhood books like Little Women, Agatha Christies (so I can see if the movies and TV shows mess things up), and mysteries with good recipes. I give the other books to the library. Just don't have time to reread anything anymore.

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    1. I also have some dear childhood books, Sally. I love the ones that started me in my love of reading. Alice through the Looking Glass was one. I've kept my original one I received as a child.

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