tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post3893135861599432993..comments2024-03-28T14:33:26.011-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: On Book ClubsJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-11056632967368896942009-03-20T16:19:00.000-04:002009-03-20T16:19:00.000-04:00What a moving blog post--wow. Puts day to day worr...What a moving blog post--wow. Puts day to day worries in perspective. <BR/><BR/>Jan said: What I love most about the book club is that I read books I'd never chose on my own.<BR/><BR/>That was the best part for me, too, with a book group I was in for a few years (no time for it now because I'm up to my gills keeping up with books to be reviewed). Left to my own devices I tend to read lighter literary fiction, so it was good to get stretched into trying more challenging reads. <BR/><BR/>Still, what I love is when you get 'lift off' and reading feels effortless. Doesn't happen as often as I'd like.<BR/><BR/>Jan, I'd love to know what are the top books your group has loved over the past few years?Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-69552326986453191802009-03-20T13:51:00.000-04:002009-03-20T13:51:00.000-04:00Edith,Well that figures. I read a historical saga ...Edith,<BR/>Well that figures. I read a historical saga about Quakers when I was a kid and have wanted to be one ever since. I even went to a few meetings. <BR/><BR/>Also, I think the key to our book group is this. We've decided its supposed to be fun. Not another major demand in your life. So members can skip meetings without feeling guilty, show up at a meeting without having read the book. Whatever. There is never any scolding. We read everything from classics to non-fiction to Janet Evanovich. <BR/><BR/>We also make it easy. The hostess provides a couple of appetizers or dips, dessert, wine and coffee. No one has to cook if they don't want to and unless its a special event (combined book club/baby shower) NO ONE is allowed to bring anything.<BR/><BR/>One of our members is a librarian and she always has terrific suggestions.(She also orders the books for us) What I love most about the book club is that I read books I'd never chose on my own. <BR/><BR/><BR/>And yes, we DO talk about the book. But not the whole two hours!Jan Broganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11323983086318138814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-39961585063252468362009-03-20T11:55:00.000-04:002009-03-20T11:55:00.000-04:00Thanks, Roberta. It's a Quaker thing...Thanks, Roberta. It's a Quaker thing...Edith Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388006370860482509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-49548327731308935382009-03-20T11:44:00.000-04:002009-03-20T11:44:00.000-04:00Wonderful post Jan: I love what Edith said about h...Wonderful post Jan: I love what Edith said about holding Beth in the light.<BR/><BR/>I've belonged to a book club for about four years and they were meeting before that. I think they were a little nervous about adding a writer. The woman hosting the club cooks dinner, which we all enjoy, whether or not we loved the book. The most controversy is generated in the choosing...but that's another day's blog...Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-81204687410178783092009-03-20T09:57:00.000-04:002009-03-20T09:57:00.000-04:00What a beautiful story, Jan. Thank you for sharing...What a beautiful story, Jan. Thank you for sharing it. We'll hold Beth in the light for safe passage and safe arrival home.<BR/><BR/>The only book group I was part of turned out to be a mistake. It was at lunch at work (at a software company) with my technical-writing colleagues. Three of the men had (still have) PhDs in English. Book club ended up being literary analysis and made me feel like I was back in high school English class. The other women and I wanted to talk about if we liked the book or not. Finally I stopped going, even though it had made me read (and enjoy) King Lear for the first time.<BR/><BR/>EdithEdith Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388006370860482509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-62713905754534798852009-03-20T09:42:00.000-04:002009-03-20T09:42:00.000-04:00I'm crying. Sorry.I'm crying. Sorry.Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.com