LUCY BURDETTE: The paperback version of the ninth Key West food critic mystery, A DEADLY FEAST, is on sale today! I thought we might celebrate by chatting about book groups. There are lots of high points in a writer’s life (selling a book, finishing a book, seeing the book in the world for the first time, etc), but nothing better than talking about the book with a book group or club or library or bookstore. In fact, nothing better than talking about any book I've loved with friends who've also read it.
Up into her mid-nineties, my mother-in-law was in a Very Serious Book Group. When it was her turn to lead the discussion, she studied very hard in advance to find out about the author and prepare discussion questions. She would get nervous about whether she'd sound smart enough, and would canvass her daughters and daughters-in-law for input. It was so cute! (By the way, I couldn't find a photo of her with her books, but this was Dorothy voting at age 100!)
I'm not in a regular book group right now, though I did participate this year in a zoom group discussing Ibram X. Kendi's STAMPED FROM THE BEGINNING, about the history of racism in America. Wow, that was some very serious reading and heavy discussion, and I was glad to have had that opportunity. I honestly had no idea how uneducated I was on this subject.
Some years ago, I was in a book group with some local Connecticut friends. Until it got to be too much work, each hostess would make dinner--and of course those food memories are my strongest! I remember cooking for our discussion of WAITING FOR SNOW IN HAVANA, Carlos Eire's beautiful memoir about growing up in and then fleeing from Cuba. I know I made a Cuban pork roast and roasted bananas and black beans. If I was cooking today, I would serve a mojito cake for dessert.
And we had a wonderful book discussion here on the blog of Ann Patchett's Bel Canto, led by our friend Kristopher Zgorski. Kristopher supplied us with questions, and music! (Say, we should do another one of those...)
One of the most fun book group events I've heard about was from one of my fans who talked her group into discussing AN APPETITE FOR MURDER over dinner. She served Key West chicken, Caribbean rice, the recipe for leaning tower of eggplant from the back of my book, and key lime pie of course! I called in to chat with them and she sent me photos of the food and decorations.
I will end this post by supplying questions for discussing A DEADLY FEAST since it's now out in paperback, but I'd really love to hear about your book club experiences. How do you choose the reading? Who leads the discussion? Is food or wine served? Should Jungle Red Writers have another book discussion?
In A DEADLY FEAST, Key Zest food critic Hayley Snow is set to be married to her heartthrob detective Nathan Bransford. But she has a lot of worries because Nathan’s been married before and both sets of parents were married and then divorced. So she talks a lot to her friends and family about their experiences with marriage. So I've included lots of questions about fictional weddings and marriage...and below that, a group of non-wedding questions!
What’s your theory about what makes for a good marriage?
Does it seem to you that Nathan and Hayley are a good match? Why or why not?
When you’re reading about a fictional wedding, how much do you like to hear about wedding plans and details?
What are your favorite examples of fictional weddings, either books or movies? Explain why you chose them.
And for some non-wedding questions:
Have you ever gone on a food tour? If so where? If not yet, where would you love to eat your way around?
Martha Hubbard talks about chefs feeling possessive about the recipes they make and serve—they don’t want diners making substitutions. How do you feel about that?
How do you feel about Hayley’s relationship with her mother? And compare this to her relationship with Miss Gloria and Allison, her stepmother.
Hayley’s boss Palamina says she never understood why Hayley was living with a senior citizen, until she met Miss Gloria. How do you feel about this character? Does she accurately reflect seniors?
And in case you missed it, DEATH ON THE MENU ebooks are on sale for $1.99 for a limited time only!
How exciting that the paperback “Deadly Feast” is now available . . . .
ReplyDeleteBook groups . . . with the exception of the “Bel Canto” group we did here on Jungle Reds, I’ve never had the opportunity to be part of a book group. And, yes, I’d love it if the Jungle Red Writers had another book discussion . . . .
[I love the “Appetite for Murder” group having a dinner using the recipes in the book!]
thanks Joan, we're so happy to have you here!
DeleteI've never been part of a book group. I always struggled in English class because I wasn't reading what I wanted to read. I'm always afraid I'd feel the same way about reading something for a reading group. And my reading schedule is always booked well in advance as it is anyway.
ReplyDeleteYes, you're very busy with reading and reviews Mark, so a book group might not fit right now.
DeleteI am not in a book group but might do it if asked. I love talking about books and literature, was an English lit major in college and almost always took an active part in class discussions. Now, I have a lovely friend in Florida with whom I talk books and authors. Last year I sent her my entire collection of Deb's books. She sent them back and now that collection is in RI with a few other favorites so my best friend from high school can read them. I frequently tell friends about JRW authors and guests whose books I've enjoyed. JRW is my book group. Stay well and keep writing!
ReplyDeleteYes we are your book group Judy, and so happy to have you here!
DeleteYes! We are your book group! Xx
DeleteI'm so impressed that you let your friends borrow your beloved books, Judy. Deb and I swap from time to time, but usually only stuff we're planning to take to the used book store. If I want a friend to read a book that I have loved, I generally buy them a copy they can read at their own pace and not worry about returning. I'd hate to ruin a friendship over a book that wasn't returned.
DeleteWell, Gigi, I see your point. I have bought books for friends pretty often, but the entire set of books was easy to mail from here. Anne was having trouble finding some of them in Florida, so I just mailed her mine. It worked out so well that, at the start of the pandemic, when libraries were closed I sent them to Nicki. They are both fans now! We are all retired so there is time to read. They are really good friends.
DeleteJudy, you are the best! I am all in favor of your book mailing! Now I hope your friends will want to read the new book next year!
DeleteAnne will for sure because I'll probably send her one as a surprise. Hopefully Nicki and I will be able to meet half way in Mystic, and I'll share my copy with her!
DeleteI was never in a book group until I joined the mystery book club that the current director of the local library started just over a year ago.
ReplyDeleteIt was never something I wanted to do. But since I'm ever so slightly involved in the mystery world now, I decided to give it a shot. And it turned out to be pretty fun.
The group has been on hiatus since April because of the pandemic and the library being closed and I've found that I do miss the group. The discussion is usually led by either the moderator Nancy or the library director George.
Since the group is held at the library, there is no alcohol served. I don't drink so that wouldn't matter to me anyway. On occasion there is some light snacks and some kind of beverage served but most of the time our small group has their own bottle of water and we just get down to business.
We did have a slightly larger food layout when Edith Maxwell was our in-person guest as we talked about the first book in her Quaker Midwife mystery series. That was a fun event to be sure.
As for how we choose what to read, everyone offers suggestions and we narrow down the actual book choice from there. Usually Nancy or I have a list of potential titles to offer up as choices but everyone gets to add in their ideas. Edith offered a suggestion when she was there and that's what we went with. And when we had Ingrid Thoft Skype in to another meeting, we read the first book in C.J. Box's Joe Pickett series at her suggestion.
The last meeting we had before the pandemic ended life as we knew it, we were preparing in advance for the planned Hallie Ephron appearance for the library's annual fundraiser so we picked her latest book to read. Unfortunately, the book club never met to discuss that one.
It's always interesting to see the different reactions from people. We read a Lawrence Block book, I didn't like it. Nancy loved it so much she prepared a 7 page handout for everyone to illustrate just how much and why she liked it. Then another book was the reverse. I loved it and she hated it. As for the rest of the members, they ranged anywhere in between the two opinions.
If the library ever opens and the pandemic ever ends, I will definitely look forward to resuming the mystery book club.
Sounds like a great success Jay! Did your group consider Zoom meetings while the library's closed?
DeleteLucy, I don't believe Zoom was considered for the mystery book club. I'm not sure the majority of the regular members would've been able to do that anyway. I know I wouldn't have been able to take part.
DeleteI loved coming to visit the group, Jay!
DeleteYay on the paperback release of A DEADLY FEAST! I love the series but I was especially taken with that book. The family/friend dynamics, not to mention the food...
ReplyDeleteI was in a "serious" book group for a while and found myself reading a books I wouldn't have ordinarily have read. Good, right? Wrong. I wanted fun and it was hard work. Having said that when I finish a book I really like I'm dying to find someone else who read it so we can talk about it. That's the great thing about a book group. Guess you can't always have your cake and eat it too.
I know that's the rub--groups push us to read what we might not otherwise read, and discuss them. Like you, immersed in writing and books all day every day, I read for pleasure mostly. Especially in these hard days!
DeleteI seem to have missed the Bel Canto discussion - great book! I also love visiting book clubs. (I'd write more, but one-handed typing just takes too long...) Congrats on the pb release, Lucy!
ReplyDeleteThat must have been before you became a regular Edith. Kristopher did a wonderful job--if you have a few spare minutes, go take a look! Hope you heal quickly--seems like you're bouncing back!
DeleteA few years ago, Beth Terrell organized a twelve month mystery book club with zoom meetings, discussion questions posted in advance. I read (and re-read) William Kent Krueger, Val McDermid, Karin Slaughter, Michael Connelly, SJ Rozan, and others, which I have on my "how to shelf" for creating characters, subtext, tension and pacing, setting descriptions.
ReplyDeleteI would love to have another Bel Canto-type discussion with JRW, and will start thinking of a meaty book for January reading.
What a great list of classic mysteries to discuss! Yes please be thinking about what we could choose for a winter book discussion
DeleteKudos on A DEADLY FEAST paperback publication. (Sergeant Pepper is waving to Lottie)
ReplyDeleteI've never been part of a book club, but I do have friends, real time and virtually, with whom I discuss books we've read, share thoughts and recommendations, et al. And Julie and I read much of the same ones, so we talk about what we are reading daily. I remember well the BEL CANTO discussion here although I was too shy to add anything to the conversation. It would be fun to do that again.
The NYT did something unusual last week. They did a whole page review of a mystery, SNOW, by John Banville, a previous Booker award winner. I'm reading it now. Anyone else? It's definitely a TGR.
Oh, now I don’t know what TGR means! It’s hard to picture you as too shy to participate Ann. Do you be thinking about why we should discuss here if we have another “book group.” And Lottie is waving at Sergeant Pepper. She is in the Dawg House this morning as she would not behave on her little walk with John and he came back ripping mad…
DeleteTerribly Great Read?
DeleteOooh, I have my untouched NYT Book Review in the kitchen. Thanks for the tip, Ann!
DeleteThumping Goid Tead
DeleteThumping good read. Ignore the above.
DeleteSo agree about Bel Canto—and a perfect book club book. Before I started writing I was in one —I loved that I read things I otherwise wouldn’t. But each member got to choose the month’s book, and for my turn I chose one of my favorites—Edith Wharton’s Custom of the Country. They all venomously hated it. I mean —like they could not believe I had chosen something so awful. I’m pretty sure I went to one more meeting and then... faded away.
ReplyDeleteAnd yay congratulations Lucy!!! You are amazing!
Oh, Hank, I am pretty sure that would have been the end for me, too.
DeleteAnd yes, Roberta, congratulations on the pb release. And, I am quietly loading my Kindle with JRW books for when I want to reread them. So thanks for the heads up on the $1.99!
Thanks Hank and Judy! I have not read that Edith Wharton book (I know, gasp!) Should we put it on our list?
DeleteBoo, Hank! Boo and fie on them for being so mean. Even if they hated the book, they shouldn't have hated on you. You've made me want to go read Edith Wharton, just to take your side. If you loved it, it must speak to important things.
DeleteHank, I've never read Edith Wharton. Can you tell us a little about why you loved the book so much? And, yes, fie on that book group!!
DeleteI understand about your book club experience. My book club has changed enormously in the last year. They actually put on the book list who recommended the book, and many hold you accountable if they don’t like it. The book club is usually sponsored by the local library but given the recent events they are meeting via zoom. I am slowly fading away from the group too. The book selections have evolved to books I don’t enjoy, and I read for fun and relaxation. The book club has become a chore, and having a full time law practice that doesn’t meet my needs and expectations.
DeleteMuch as I love books, I had never been part of a book club until about 18 months ago. We formed a neighborhood book club that I have been enjoying very much! One of the things I enjoy most about it is that it is intergenerational. A notice went out to the whole neighborhood as it was being formed, and we have active members ranging in age from 30-ish to 75+. The majority are clustered in their 50's to early 60's, I'd say. Still, that gives us some very interesting perspectives.
ReplyDeleteWe started out having everyone write down suggested titles, which we threw into a hat, and after about a year invited people to add more. (Technically, we put them into a sandwich bag.) At first, we drew a title and whatever came out of the bag was what we read. But then we hit a stretch where we pulled three thrillers in a row, and we decided we would screen the choice each time. We don't ever eliminate a name someone put in, but there have been a few times we've put one back in to select later. The hostess provides wine and light snacks, and no one has gone overboard or made it feel like a hosting competition, which is great. (Plus we have one member who doesn't drink alcohol, so we all make the effort to have a few flavored seltzers for her.) During the lockdown we met first over Zoom, but a couple of the older ladies were struggling with it, so then we created a "Facebook room" which they seemed to be able to manage better. Over the summer, we met outside in backyards with our seats six feet or more apart, and each brought our own refreshments. It felt heavenly to be together again! But we have resigned ourselves to picking back up online for November.
I've seen a few comments about how the downside of a book club is that it forces you to read things you wouldn't select, and while I agree with that, I would offer that it is also the UP side. This club has forced me to read books I would never have gravitated to, and I've enjoyed them very much. And some I didn't exactly enjoy, but I was the richer for the experience of discussing them, if not necessarily for reading them.
I love the description of your neighborhood book group! And you are absolutely right about the upside and the downside being the same.
DeleteYou said November, Susan, and I thought you had plenty of time and the realize it will be November this Sunday. Already November. Sigh....
DeleteCongratulations on the paperback release of A Deadly Feast. Lately I've been reading more paperbacks and there is something so satisfying about holding a book in your hands.
ReplyDeleteNever part of a face to face book club, although I love speaking at them. I have participated in online book clubs which were fun and made me read books that would not have crossed my radar. Lately, I've been participating in the Goodreads community reads as they are genre specific and keep me discovering new authors.
That’s interesting about goodreads. It never occurred to me to join one of their book discussions. It seems as though there are quite a few harsh opinions and too large of a group to manage but maybe I should re-consider
DeleteI'll just keep quietly to myself in the shadows at the back, as I am not a book club person. The idea of formally discussing a book I've read (and enjoyed or not) is not appealing to me. I love reading and I love thinking about what I've read, but that formal question-led process of a book club is not for me. You all have fun!
ReplyDeleteEach absolutely to her own Amanda! Would you read the post if there was another book group discussion, or skip it entirely?
DeleteOh, I would read the post (I skimmed the one you did on Bel Canto, one of my all-time favourite books), for sure (FOMO), but likely wouldn't contribute. I find the whole book club phenomenon fascinating; it just doesn't draw me in as a participant.
DeleteI'm not a member of any group although I might like to try a book group. So as far as I am concerned JRW is my book group and I'm very happy with it! Love that I have got to know so many terrific authors and been introduced to books I might not have otherwise known about.
ReplyDeleteAnd we feel the same way, delighted to have you here!
DeleteI remember the discussion of BEL CANTO.
ReplyDeleteWe just read GHOSTS OF HARVARD for a discussion with my Sisters in Crime chapter. It was a lot of fun and I never would have picked up the book otherwise (I'm glad I did). But I'm with Mark - usually I'm too stubborn to read something someone else picked out. And if I didn't like it, I'd probably ditch the book in favor of something I do want to read! LOL
Ha! I understand that stubbornness completely. And I don’t know the ghosts of Harvard, so will have to go look it up.
DeleteIt was excellent, Lucy. Part mystery, part ghost story, just very well done.
DeleteAs you all know, I'm very shy about expressing my opinions. Snort. I've been super lucky to be invited to two very different book clubs, but only one has had staying power for me. Both began as potluck dinners, taking turns at each other's homes, but the one which is all women, and virtually all retired librarians (except me and one other), eventually began going out for lunch. The other one, which I still participate in, has been meeting via Zoom since March, and I really miss those dinners!
ReplyDeleteThe library group decides in advance what to read, and basically one person chooses all the books. I hated that. They tend towards women's fiction only, and are very judgemental about anything outside the usual. Jodi Piccoult is as wild as they get. The other club has been diverse from the start, as far as gender and background, and right now we have a 3-2 ratio of women to men, which makes for some lively discussions and fascinating viewpoint sharing, as well as unusual reading choices. Three of the members are retired or active college professors (sculpture, ceramics, and medieval religion), and we have artists, musicians, a children's science book author, an architect, and whatever I am. Three members are from other countries, and we used to have two blind members, too. This group is more egalitarian (a benevolent dictatorship, as one member says), and we each take turns choosing the next book. Which reminds me, I need to come up with one for our Thursday night meeting, discussing Song of Solomon.
The basic difference in these two clubs can be illustrated in the reactions to a book I chose. I was blown away by Craig Ferguson's novel, Between the Bridge and the River, which is a scathingly and irreverently brilliant straight-on look at some of the hypocrisy of organized religion. The librarians mostly hated it outright. It has a LOT of swear words and some kinky sex scenes, and they were so offended that they missed the story altogether. The other club discussion was just the thoughtful one I'd hoped for: even though not everyone liked the book, they kept bringing up parts of it that affected them in some way, good or bad.
Hank, we would never castigate you over a book choice! Remember when we had the email bookclub meeting, years ago, with the TLC side group? And Nancy Pickard joined my library book group via a cell phone, and Hallie has Skyped in to my second group to discuss one of her books. I also don't remember talking about Bel Canto here. Hmm.
Congratulations, Roberta! Another great milestone.
Karen in Ohio: Craig Ferguson's book sounds fascinating. Thanks for the tip. Off to find it now...
DeleteI loved Craig Ferguson's memoir, American on Purpose. I may have to check out Between the Bridge and the River.
DeleteSo did I, Gigi. He's a good writer.
DeleteI loved his memoir as well, and was unaware he had a novel out. Thanks for the tip!
DeleteI loved his memoir, and I think I had a copy of Between the Bridge and the River at some point. Hmm, wonder what happened to it...
DeleteKaren, your library group doesn't sound like fun at all. I don't think I'd have lasted a month in that one.
DeleteBy the way, Karen, I am encouraged that there are men in your group, and Jay's. It always seems to me, as I have gotten older, that all the folks out there doing interesting things--book clubs, quilt guilts, groups that get together for a night at the theatre or a concert--are all female all the time. What happens to men? Surely they don't ALL die, like Warren did. Do they just prefer to sit at home and watch sports and news shows? Many of them used to be fun people.
DeleteIt was comprised of a whole different group of women when I started, Debs. When the mixture changed, so did the dynamic, and I struggled with it for almost two years. I kept making excuses for not going, and finally realized how unfun it had become.
DeleteI used to belong to a book club. It was fun, but then it sort of devolved into "let's take vacations together!" Which was lovely for the older members (and I totally understand that impulse), but didn't work for me--I had young kids, and if I was going to take time and money for a vacation, it was going to be with my family. Read a lot of good books, though! Now I am a first reader (one of many) for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, which isn't the same as being in a book club, except I read a lot of books I wouldn't otherwise. That has lead to discovering some beloved books, including Pachinko by Min Jin Lee.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Roberta! <3
That’s interesting about taking vacations together! And also kudos for judging a contest. I have been involved with the Edgar Best novel competition twice. (Or was it three times?) We got over 500 books , and believe me many of them were not my cup of tea. But I got to see a wide wide range of what was being written and published In the crime fiction universe
DeleteCongratulations on your paperback release, Roberta! Always a milestone.
ReplyDeleteI have steered clear of book groups, mostly because I don't want other people picking what I read. I think a book group is vulnerable to the same sort of group dynamics that make me an introvert. Some self-appointed person takes over, starts to run things, and before too long it's like reading with the Homeowner's Association board. I'm just a snob. That's all. Full stop. Unless I have already "curated" the collection of members, I pretty much don't want to be subject to their dictates.
That said, my aunt belonged to a group they called The Three Bees. It was my job one Christmas to get them all special hand-crafted bookmarks, and my maker asked me if they were a church-based group getting together for Bible study, or what. Turned out The Three Bees stood for Books, Broads, and Booze. They read a lot of thrillers. I could get down with a group like that!
Gigi, you got me thinking. There are times when I've read a book by an author who's been a guest here and I really want to give feedback to someone about it. Sometimes Irwin will read the book, too and we can discuss it. But it would be fun to sometimes do a zoom with some JRW-ers and chat about something we've all read. Hm-m-m. With that in mind, we did start to read Mark Pryor's series about the head of security at the US Embassy in Paris. Really good stuff!
DeleteOh, I remember when you were shopping for The Three Bees! That's my kind of book group!
DeleteInteresting, Judy. I'm glad I've given you something to think about. Keep us all posted on your thoughts.
DeleteRead my post below. We have 25-30 members on a Zoom call and it works very well -- but you have to be prepared with a good discussion outline distributed in advance, an able discussion leader and a disciplined group. Sounds awful, I guess, but it works very well.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRoberta, congratulations on the pb pub of A Deadly Feast! I really loved the exploration of relationships in this book, it's one of my faves! And I'll have to add Death on the Menu to my Kindle collection.
ReplyDeleteI have never belonged to a book group. I never liked reading to assignment in high school or college (good thing I wasn't an English major) and I always have so many things I want to read that the idea of reading someone else's choice doesn't appeal. On the other hand, a diverse group like Karen's sounds really fun, and I like the idea of being challenged.
I do share books with Gigi and with my daughter, and it's great fun to discuss them, before and afterwards. Gigi always returns books in pristine condition, I must say, while those shared with my daughter do not always come back quite the way they went out:-) Seriously, though, I love it that she reads constantly, even with a very busy life and a four-year-old.
Our daughter is a good reader as well even with two little kids and a big job. That’s one thing I guess we did right!
DeleteI don't belong to a book club for exactly the same reason as Deb. I don't do well with assignments!
DeleteCongrats on the paperback release of A DEADLY FEAST, Lucy!
ReplyDeleteLike Debs, I've never belonged to a book group, although I was a volunteer at our tiny local library for many years, and that often felt like a roving book club - we were always discussing what we liked, what we didn't, and suggesting new books to try.
I've been a guest at several book club meetings, and except for the one where the hostess's house reeked of cat pee (seriously!!) I've enjoyed them all. I especially liked the book club that shared desserts and wine - that's hitting all my pleasure points at once.
Desserts, wine, and book chat, that’s a perfect trifecta!
DeleteYay on the paperback release of A Deadly Feast!
ReplyDeleteI used to be involved in a local book club with moms--it was so nice to have a night out without our babies in tow.
Nowadays, I'm part of an online book club, 2020 Quarantine Book Club, where we try to read authors who are debuting this year and lend them our support.
What a good idea Jennifer! And I’m excited that we will be chatting about you our new book very soon
DeleteLucy, sorry I am late again. Woke up with an headache.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the paperback release of A DEADLY FEAST.
Speaking of book clubs, when my library set up a Jane Austen Book Club several years ago, I saw this as my chance to FINALLY read all of the major books by J. We went to the book club meetings in the beginning, then there were changes, which meant LESS accommodations for us. Though we stopped going to the meetings, we continued to read the book that was being read at that time. For me, it was a wonderful motivation for me to read Jane Austen. I started reading Pride and Prejudice, then I did not finish.
Regarding your Hayley Snow series, so many wonderful questions!
Your question about Senior Citizens was wonderful. By the time I was born, most of the people in my family were in the senior citizens age bracket. They were in varying stages from excellent health to poor health. My grandfather was in excellent health since he found a doctor who put him on an alternative diet. He was overweight and had awful headaches. Once he was on that diet, he lost weight and the headaches stopped. He was 45 years old. That was decades before I was born. Now the senior citizens in my family, who are still living, are in pretty good health.
I've met senior citizens like Miss Gloria who are still very active. One of my high school teachers is now 96 and she is still driving.
Diana
Sorry about your headache! It’s no fun to start the day that way. And thanks for your kind comments about the book discussion questions. I was hoping you didn’t mean the 45-year-old was considered to be a senior. Yikes, that would mean we were all doddering, even our our Jenn lol
DeleteMy apologies for misleading you. By the time I was born, my grandfather was a senior citizen. My mom was a little kid when my grandfather was 45. My grandfather was in his 80s when people thought he was 20 years younger.
DeleteWhen I said senior citizens, I meant the family members were already in their 70s, 80s and 90s when I was born.
Hmmmm that makes me wonder what was on his diet??
DeleteNo chocolate. No white flour. No white sugar. Less meat. More fruits. More vegetables.
DeleteI've never been a member of a book club. None of my local friends are readers. I do discuss and share books with my Sister and her neighbors when I'm up in Michigan. I miss having local friends to discuss books with.
ReplyDeleteI always find it astonishing to hear that people aren’t readers. It’s such a pleasure in my life!
DeleteThe only in-person book club I've ever belonged to was the one I had with high school students when I was doing my practicum for my library science masters. It was fun to be a part of all that youthful enthusiasm for reading a book. I do wish I had a book club to meet with in-person that consisted of women my age, but that just hasn't worked out. My friend with whom I discussed books over lunches or dinners died almost two years ago, and I miss her book love companionship (as well as other reasons) so much. I did have an online book club that I participated in some, when I could fit in the book or was especially interested in the one being discussed or when I led the discussion. It was with the Friends of Laurie (Laurie R. King), whose group has been on Goodreads for some time now. However, group book discussions have not been set up in a schedule there for the time being. I think that will change again, as there is much interest in getting them back on track. I led a discussion this year there on Elly Griffiths' first Ruth Galloway book, The Crossing Places. If you're interested, here's the link to that discussion, and you can also access other book discussions at the group Laurie R. King Virtual Book Club. https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/21208735-the-crossing-places-by-elly-griffiths---vbc-march-2020?order=a&page=1
ReplyDeleteMy daughter belongs to a book club through her local library and has enjoyed it a lot. They meet at a local ice cream/sandwich shop, although the meetings were cancelled for a while during this pandemic. They have had a face-to-face meeting the last couple of months, outside with masks on. She enjoys it, as it is a fiction club, and she's read books that she might not otherwise have read. I wish we lived in the same town so I could join her in it. (Yes, all daughters want their mothers tagging along. Hahaha!)
I absolutely remember the discussion of Bel Canto here. I had a lot to say in that one, as Bel Canto is one of my all-time favorite books, and I pretty much love anything written by Ann Patchett. Run and State of Wonder are two more of my favorites by Patchett. I would love to have another book discussion here on Jungle Reds, but I don't think I'd want a monthly one. I love learning about new authors and book here, but I don't ever want to feel like my favorite group is one with a reading assignment.
I agree with you Kathy! A monthly book group would feel too much like work
DeleteRoberta, isn't your granddaughter named Dorothy? Was she named after your darling mother-in-law?
ReplyDeleteYes her name is Dorothea after my mother in law Dorothy. Good memory Karen! They call her Thea
DeleteMy one visit to a book club was my last one! I’d love to have like-minded friends to talk books with but either they’re not big readers or they’re scattered all over the country. Boo. Congrats on A Deadly Feast paperback release Lucy! Loved that story.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Pat! We’re glad you’re here talking about books
DeleteI LOVED being in a book club -- one for maybe 7 years (snacks, no dinner) and after I moved, another for 5-6 years (serious foodies, so great dinners). Sadly, I couldn't keep up with the reading, so I had to drop out, but gosh, what lovely memories.
ReplyDeleteAnd you're so right, Lucy -- visiting a book club as an author is DIVINE!
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ReplyDeleteA monthly book group would feel like work. Awesome Post! This is an amazing article. Thanks for Sharing such a great post. Keep Posting!!
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