While I love the idea of being picking up a book I might not
have discovered otherwise, after a few months of delving into dry biographies,
or gripping literary tomes, the love always lost its glow. Till I’d find myself slinking into book
group, feeling guilty at not having finished the book. I mean how could I? What if a new Rachel Gibson or Lisa Kleypas
was out that month? They got priority, always!Which is why I LOVE my current book group to distraction.
I’ve been a part of this group for nearly two years now and
we’ve had two set books. Two! And those were both over the Christmas holidays when we
wouldn’t be seeing one another for several weeks.
You know what we do otherwise? We read.
We each read what we want to
read, what we love to read. And then we each talk about the books – what
we liked, what we didn’t, whether or not we think others might love them too.
We have women who love to delve into the Booker Prize long
list. Others who are first in line for
the next Liane Moriarty or JoJo Moyes.
We have women who keep on top of new Australian literature. Others who read YA like its going out of
fashion. And we have me.
And you know what? I’ve
discovered more new authors, new genres, new bestsellers and sleeper gems than
ever in my life before. (Though I was the first to read The Girl on the Train, BTW - just had to make that known :)) Having a
comfortable place to try, to taste, to experience new literary worlds is the
bomb. You should try it.
Are you in a book
group? How does yours work? Have you discovered any favourite authors
that way? (The piccies above are of books I chatted up with glee in 2016.)
I'm not in a boook group, Ally, although I very much like the idea of being in one and always have. But the thought of having to read depressing literary tomes does put me off.....
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should join yours! ;-)
I still have flashbacks at having to read books that made me feel like I had to go to bed hugging a Mills and Boon just so that I could have sweet dreams! My book club rocks!
DeleteI'm not in a book group, but I would really love to be. I just haven't found one that's 'romance friendly' - I certainly read outside the genre (I am one of those people reading YA like it's going out of fashion haha) but I don't want to feel like my other choices are looked down upon, either. That's awesome that you've found such a great group!
ReplyDeleteSoooo lucky. It's a group of women who love to read. Some read huge tomes that would make my heart hurt too much. Others dive into fun bestsellers. Another loves YA as much as I do so we constantly swap names. It's awesome!!!
DeleteI've been in both kinds of book group, Ally; the first one was where we all read the same book and then talked about it. I got to learn a lot of things- mainly, who in the group felt they knew more about literature than anyone else and wanted to share everything they knew. The second kind of book group--where we all bring along our new favourite reads- is the kind I'm in now and I love it! I have discovered some new authors (can't think of any off the top of my head!!) and introduced my friends to some of my must-buy favourites. There is a bit of bias against romance books, but I'm getting there by stealth.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you've found a book group you love! And yes, you've gotta find a way to get romance through. I'm less about the stealth and more about a full frontal attack :).
DeleteHi Ally
ReplyDeleteI have never been in a Book Club but I do belong to ARRA and we have a lunch in Sydney once a month (we meet at The Lindt Café)and there we talk books lots of books and yes Romance Books we recommend to each other and read a lot of books between us and we often have wonderful Authors come with us so I guess I would call us a book club as well :)
Have Fun
Helen
Any chance to talk books with like minded folks is bliss!
DeleteThat does sound like a fun book group, Ally. My book group does that for the first meeting of the year, but then we take turns at selecting a book -- and it's a pretty democratic process. If someone really doesn't want to do a particular book we choose something else. I've read things I'd have not thought of reading, and I'm sure my life is the better for it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, wine and cheese. Yep, love my book group.
Your group sounds very similar to the one I belong to. I love the freedom to read what I like and not have to read something I can't stand, which was the main reason I never stuck with any other group I tried before. But like the wine and cheese Michelle mentioned. will try again to bring that in.
ReplyDeleteI've been in an online book group in the past, but gave it up... partially because I never seemed to be able to stick to the chosen books but because many of the books just didn't appeal.
ReplyDeleteYour book group sounds like my kind of book group though. The wine and cheese is just a bonus.
Ally, that sounds like so much fun. I'm not in a book group though the idea has appealed for quite some time. I'll have to see if I can find a few interested people locally. A great reason to get out and talk about reading!
ReplyDeleteIt's always a great night. We talk books, absolutely. But we laugh and gab and drink and eat as well. I'm never home before 1am!
DeleteAlly, your group sounds like the bomb! I've been invited to join groups in the bast which I've shied away from, believing I might be stuck reading to a schedule and feeling like I'm back in school. My reading is such a pleasure, because I can choose what I feel like reading, when I feel like reading. But sharing the love with others... that I am missing. Perhaps I should give a group a go.
ReplyDeleteDo! But find one like mine. Then you can read for pleasure and pick up some recommendations as well.
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