Online Bookclub

[kezabelle]

Hi girls,

This has probably been suggested before, but what can I say, I'm a bit slow... :hehe:

Anyway, I was thinking that as there are a lot of readers here we could start an online bookclub. Each month, someone suggests a book (take it in turns so everyone gets a say) and we read it and have an online discussion about it.

Any takers?

[Stormy]

I'd be up for that....once a month would be doable for me. Providing that it's not a really new release, could always borrow from the library in case I don't really like it. :hehe:

[kezabelle]

yeah, thought something that can be found in most libraries would be best to save on cost. So, that's 2 of us so far :hehe:

[Mesmereyes]

i will be in it, ( I never read so this would be a challenge for me) so yep count me in

does take 5 or thats life count LOL

[ezmay]

Count me in. Providing the book is at the library. Sound like fun.
Ive never been in a bok club before, how do they work?

[kezabelle]

I don't actually know LMAO I keep meaning to attend a local one and never make it. If anyone has a suggestion for a book, please make it. Otherwise I'll pop down to the library next week and come up with one :)

[kimba]

I don't actually know LMAO I keep meaning to attend a local one and never make it. If anyone has a suggestion for a book, please make it. Otherwise I'll pop down to the library next week and come up with one :)

Ladies I would come up with a book now otherwise she will pick some long winded novel i.e 1000 pages long to last the monthLMAO

[susiq]

Count me in. Kezza - PLEASE don't make it too long!

[miss kiki]

i'd be interested. i too have always wanted to be in a book club, but never knew how or where, lol.

what if we weren't interested in the book? some types i really don't like-like biographies, religious, etc.
maybe we'd be able to just skip that month or something? lol.


THE LIST SO FAR
kezabelle
stormy
mesmereyes
ezmay
kimba?
susiq
miss kiki

[kezabelle]

kimba's in and i'm going to pick war and peace just for her LMAO

[Stormy]

There's a book I'm interested in "This is Not My Beautiful Life". I'm pretty sure it's available at my library and it's only 320 pages. :)

Actually I just checked the catalogue - it's available only in Brisbane libraries, not Logan, and the waiting list on it so far is pretty long so maybe not an ideal choice for the first book. :(

[kezabelle]

That's a shame Stormy - I was all set! Keep it in mind for the future though.

Kiki, to answer your questions, I assume if you don't want to read a particular book you just don't. It's too hard if everyone has to agree each time which is why I thought we could each take a turn. I'm happy to plod my way through anything - I have my favourite genres, but I'll read pretty much anything you put in front of me, so... :D

[kimba]

um noooooo!! I did not say I will join:headh: And definitely not if u choose to read War and PeaceLMAO
Actually there was a book I wanted to read about a woman who was taken from her family during the war and about her struggle to survive.Can not remember the name but am fairly sure it is new realease:) Read about it in a mag and it is not a book that I would normally read.
So choose that and I am inLMAO

[kezabelle]

you can choose it yourself if you join honey :) But you do need to know the name and author, and it would be good if it was readily available in local libraries.

[Stormy]

Some other suggestions.....they aren't really new releases so most libraries should have them by now. :)

The Stockmen (http://www.penguin.com.au/lookinside/spotlight.cfm?SBN=9780143001836) - Rachael Treasure (suspect it would be a bit of a girlie book)

Catch me when I fall (http://www.penguin.com.au/lookinside/spotlight.cfm?SBN=9780141024103) - Nicci French (crime and mystery)

Any other suggestions out there?? I'll pretty much read most things :)

[kezabelle]

I'm happy with either of those :) I've read a couple of Nicci French but not sure if that one. Okay, so Stormy you pick which one and we'll go with that first (toss a coin if you like :D). Then we'll rotate through people each month. Anyone can join at any time, so pick a book and we'll start reading!

[Stormy]

Okay let's go with The Stockmen because I can get that one pretty easily - I bought it (not read it yet) and loaned it to my mum and she's giving it back to me next week before she goes overseas. :D

[zen]

depends on easy availability of book choices i suppose, but i would be interested.. i tried this on a previous forum site, but it died in the bum real fast when book choices meant only one or two people wanted to read the chosen book. i think it should be all for one (book), and one (book) for all! :D

either way, it would be cool if the book chosen was in ebook form for me! :)

i'll read anything... altho i'll really struggle if it's romantic fiction..

edit: as i was typing this before the last post was made.. i can only groan.. lol.. it's romantic fiction... and i can't find it in ebook form as yet either..

[Stormy]

LMAO Sorry Zen, I'm in no way committed to it so I'm happy with any other choices you want to throw out :D

[Patricia]

Kay I thought you might be nominating HEART OF DARFUR.......no? LMAO

[Stormy]

Well hey, I've already read that one, it would be like cheating surely :P

Or I could suggest Bill Bryson's Down Under, I'm halfway through already LMAO

[zen]

oh heck, it's always easier to say a book is not liked than choose one! :D if The Stockmen is the chosen book, then that's the one i'll buy! :)

[Stormy]

Alright zen, The Stockmen it is. :) I know you will probably groan your way through it....actually I might do a fair bit of groaning through it as well :hehe:

Okay May's book of the month will be The Stockmen - around 360 pages. Doable for everyone? :dk:

[maxine]

Hi Everyone,

A bookclub sounds like fun, I'd love to join. Will read almost anything, sounds like a great way to read something different.
maxine

[susiq]

The Stockmen it is! Hope you enjoy Bill Bryson Down Under Stormy - not as good as some of his others I thought.

[Stormy]

I'm still enjoying it Susi....I like his take on Australian culture/history :)

Girls if you check in the profile section, you will find a group for AFW bookclub if you want to join :D

[susiq]

Great, thanks Stormy. You've got me there.

I just need to wait for the book to come into the library next week. I'm a quick reader though so I'll still have plenty of time to get through it.

[Alexa]

Might give it a miss this time around, but next time for sure.

I am in two books clubs already, one at work and with my girlfriends.

At the moment I am reading The Travellers Wife and The Kite Runner (again).

The Stockman looks good Kay, I looked at Amazon about it.

[miss kiki]

sounds good for me. :)

[lucyloo]

I'd love to join, I will look up the profile...

[zen]

i'm sorry.. but i've just been told if i bring this book into this house, my husband will leave me.. :D

it was bad enough once before when i bought a Marian Keys book for another book club one time.. but it was at least humourous.. LMAO

(i could read it in the car? surely the garage does not count?)

[Patricia]

:blink:....surely he is joking Zen?

[zen]

yes.. of course he's joking.. :D

[Patricia]

Oh good..I was getting slightly worried :P

I am go through books at such a rate and have so many on the go at once that nobody here would have a clue what I was reading at the best of times...:hehe:

[zen]

altho i might have to hide it once we are finished here.. lol! or take it to the book exchange.. LMAO

[Stormy]

I wonder if you got a audio CD of it, would that count? :hehe:

[zen]

ok.. i'm about to leave the house and buy this book! how long do we have for reading? how will the book club discussion go? will we start leaving comments on the book as we read or will we have a more formal approach once we have all read it?

[miss kiki]

i was actually wondering the same thing zen. i don't think we should start discussing as we go, because i won't get my book until tomorrow or the next couple days and we wouldn't want to spoil anything for the other readers..so maybe after..BUT we can always just let each other know what part we're up to and if we're all done early and are done discussing the book, then i don't see why we can't start another book early?!

[Patricia]

I suggest we set a time frame for reading the book...say a week or so and then have a date to start discussions ...that way if you haven't finished the book and don't want to stumble across any "spoilers" then you know not to venture into the discussion thread until you have finished.

What do you think?

[miss kiki]

either way i don't mind..it'll be tough for me to not venture though! :hehe: but then again if the other ladies aren't venturers like i am, then i'm sure i'll be able to hold off. :)

[Patricia]

If anyone has a better suggestion throw it into the pot...BUT if we don't start the discussions until everyone is finished we could be waiting a long time..:hehe:

[kezabelle]

sounds like a plan Patricia :) should we say a week? or is that not long enough?

[Stormy]

Maybe a fortnight?? Just to allow for the slow readers in the crowd, the ones that find the book painful or don't have much time to sit down and read. :)

[zen]

ok.. i think a week is fine.. and i'll hold off talking about it till then.. altho.. i have read the first chapter now, i already don't like Sam, and i hope Rosemary develops a backbone before i'm too much further into it.. :D i do like it's Australian 'flavour' tho..

[Stormy]

Geez I'd better get on it then....haven't even started yet although I did get the book back last night so that's a start. :hehe:

[Patricia]

Ok then get going girls ...and no talking about it until next Monday or you will ruin it for the others :P

[kezabelle]

Oh no - I haven't even got the book yet! And I certainly don't have a lot of time to sit around and read... But, I always work best under ressure, so... :D

[Stormy]

It's only 300 odd pages Kez....you'll polish it off pretty quickly if you're into War and Peace. :D

[kezabelle]

Hven't actually read War and Peace yet... did read Anna Karenina in uni as a compromise though, so... :D

[miss kiki]

i still didn't get the book either..maybe will today or tomorrow depending. will have to google it first to see what it's about-if it's my type of book i'll most likely buy it and if not, then will just check the library for it. a week sounds reasonable. :)

[kezabelle]

now i remember why i hopped on line today... i was going ot look up the library for that book! got a little side tracked here... :D

[Kekka]

I got the book from my local library tonight. It's bigger than a New Idea - we'll see if I manage to get through it!! :D

[Stormy]

You can do it Kekka, just read New Idea sized portions each night :D

[Kekka]

It has big spaces between the lines....I like that!!

Not trying to sound like a vacuous flippity jippet (spelling?)....but I just don't read much. :D

[Stormy]

OMG that has got to be the funniest sounding thing I have read today! LMAO

I'm going to have to add that to my dictionary of Kekka-isms :D

[Kekka]

:D

I'll have you know young lady that I am off to bed to read shortly! :P (I'll fall asleep in no time....)

[Stormy]

Good luck Kekka, hope you enjoy it :)

[nicwitch]

I'm definitely interested in getting in on this bookclub, but I'll give this month a miss. In the middle of Jodi Picoult's new book, Change of Heart. Has anyone read any of hers? They are all great - really thought provoking but an easy read at the same time.
Also, I work in a library and we have a link on our website for bookclubs with discussion guides and other info - might come in handy. The site is www.library.ipswich.qld.gov.au and under 'what's new' you'll see Book Hub

Keep on reading! :clap:

[miss kiki]

i've read quite a few jodi picoult's books and i love her books. :)
will MOST LIKELY get my book today. YAY!

[kezabelle]

Can't get it! aaargh! Actually, not completely true, the library is going to get it in for me from another branch in the next few days. And it's 395 pages apparently... :)

[zen]

i'm almost half way through it now... :)

[Kekka]

I fell asleep after 4 pages! :D Will give it another go on the train to work.

[kezabelle]

Sounds promising Kekka...

[Stormy]

Kez 100 pages of that is crap you won't read - like her "thank you mum, dad and everyone i've ever had contact with" spiel at the back :D

I read half of it last night. :yes: Probably read the other half today :yes:

[miss kiki]

wow, you all read fast!
keza, no worries. i still don't have my book. thought i'd go today, but ended up at my mom's and then went to the store with her real quick and by the time i got home, it was time for dinner, then clean, then get the kids ready for bed now and there's no time. so hopefully i'll get it tomorrow or sometime this week, lol.
i'm assuming the month to finish reading the book will be june 1st or before that?
and maybe next time we should give a week or a few days in between books, so people can get the next book around the same time, not a week or so apart. if that's alright. :)

[Kekka]

Cheeky Kezabelle!!! LMAO It's just if I get into a comfy bed and am on my back (er..without company) I am a goner. Zzzzzzzzzz.. ... . .

I'll have you know that I'm up to page 18 after the train trip in. I am a bit s l o w :D :P

[zen]

did you finish this book today SW? i have just finished it.. was an easy read hey...

[Stormy]

Well in between the spontaneous coffee with Cherie and getting my mum's friend from the airport and driving back in bumper to bumper traffic, I haven't picked it up again. :P

I'll probably read the rest of it when I go to bed tonight. :)

[miss kiki]

without giving anything away, was it a GREAT book, a good one, or just blah?

[Kekka]

The first rule of bookclub Kick....don't talk about the book before we're allowed to!! (:hehe:)

[miss kiki]

doh! i know that, but does that include how you liked it!? LOL

only was wondering, because i have a tendency to buy books instead of lending them from the library, and i was going to buy it tonight, but what if i don't like it?! LOL.

[Kekka]

Save the money and borrow it from the library Kick.

[miss kiki]

yeah, but i borrowed so many books from DF's mom that i felt bad i just didn't buy it on my own, lol. they were that good.

[zen]

it's not easy miss kiki.. i mean, this book was not my usual style, so my view on it would not help you.. depends on your own taste in reading really.. try borrowing from a library first... :)

[Stormy]

Okay without talking about the plot at all, it has a very Australian flavour and is in a rural setting. There's a bit of a love story involved. It depends on your taste, whether I would say buy or borrow. :yes:

It is however a very easy read, finished the last 180 pages last night. :)

Oh and kiki if you borrow it and decide you really like it, my copy is a give-away and I'd be happy to send it on to you. :yes:

[Kekka]

....you've finished. :( Onya Stormy!! :D

[Stormy]

Yeah now I need another book for the plane LMAO

[kezabelle]

Still waiting on a phone call from the library... Glad it's an easy read as don't think I could fit anything else in right now, and my brain is simply gone... :)

[miss kiki]

thanks stormy, that's sweet. i'll let you know. :)
it does sound like my taste actually.
i just got back from the bookstore and they didn't have it. they had two other books by the author though, but not that one. i'm assuming she's an australian writer? i'm going to look online for it and if anything i'll order it..worse comes to worse, i just skip this month or might ask stormy to send it to me. :)

[Stormy]

Kiki don't go ordering it in specially....I will just send it to you. It means you won't get to read it in time but like I said, it would be a give away anyway so you might as well just have mine. :P She is an Australian author - lives in Tassie on a sheep station. :)

[Kekka]

Stormy is firm but kind isn't she Kick?! :D

[miss kiki]

yep, have to agree kekk. :D

[kezabelle]

Try ebay Kiki - unless Stormy has already sent it :hehe:

[Stormy]

I'm not sending it into thin air Kerrie :P

Kiki you don't have to have it, I just like knowing that my books are going to a good home. :D

[kezabelle]

I'm trying to discourage her so you'll send it my way LMAO Actually, I just have to get off my butt and drive 20 minutes to a different library... How slack is that? :hehe:

[Stormy]

Kerrie I'm happy to do that too....all I know is that I'm not keeping it in my permanent collection. :D

[zen]

i won't be keeping my copy either if anyone wants it after this discussion.. :)

[sandydee]

would love to join in too but will give this month a miss,will check this book out though it sounds good.I love reading just read 2 books by Tony Parsons...Australian stories:yes:they were good:)

[zen]

so..... who's reading? anyone else finished yet?

[kezabelle]

Half way through it - not easy to find the time! But can always find a few minutes to hop on here :hehe: Lucky it's an esay read :)

[susiq]

Sorry Stormy, I know I've seen it somewhere in this thread. When do I need to have the book read by? I'm picking it up tomorrow - I am a quick reader.

I also see that you mentioned it was a quick read too.

[Stormy]

We were thinking about a week or a fortnight :)

I really don't mind....it was a hard book for some people to get a hold of so maybe about 17 May? :dk:

[Kekka]

I'm up to page 20.....:(

[Stormy]

Nevermind Kekka, that means you only have another 340 pages to go :hehe:

[Kekka]

I don't think my term in bookclub is going to be long! :D LMAO

[susiq]

Thanks Stormy. I'll see how I go for the 17th.

[crashtestwoman]

I've just finished it so if anyone wants me to post it to them so they can read it just PM me and I'll have it in the post tomorrow. Okay.

[kezabelle]

LMAO @ Kekka

Only have about 100 pages to go... not bad considering :) Helps having a bub who doesn't settle easily - I get to read as I rock his bassinet :D

[miss kiki]

well, i looked on ebay and all and with no luck. :(
crashtest, is your book still available..or anyone else's? thanks in advance!

[kezabelle]

Hsan't stormy sent her copy? tut tut... :hehe: ebay.au has it - but probably no help to you. Mine's from the library

[miss kiki]

haha, nope, she hasn't. i haven't even asked! :hehe:
no, i would LOVE to read it..i'm a pretty fast reader, i wouldn't mind sending it back to you if you wanted it back. i don't even bend the pages open all the way, i'm very picky with keeping the binding just right when it comes to reading, lol. :) so whoever can send one to me, i'd really appreciate it! :D

[Stormy]

Hsan't stormy sent her copy? tut tut... :hehe: ebay.au has it - but probably no help to you. Mine's from the library

Can't send it to anyone without an address, due to my inadequate mind-reading capabilities :P

[Kekka]

Kick send Stormy your address via PM! (You'll finish before me anyway...that's for certain!! LMAO)

[Patricia]

Can't send it to anyone without an address, due to my inadequate mind-reading capabilities :P

:roll:..oh come on Kay pleeeease! You know that is part of the Mod's criteria :P

[Stormy]

Gee Patric I'm working on it alright? LMAO

[miss kiki]

i didn't send it to you yet stormy, because i just wanted to make sure it was fine with you beforehand. thank you so much, i'll send you a PM with my addy. :)

[kezabelle]

You know that is part of the Mod's criteria :P

non, now - don't get ahead of yourselves - mind reading is only expected on stormy's part - nothing to do with being a mod LMAO (now that song's stuck in my head again! AAARGH!)

[Patricia]

non, now - don't get ahead of yourselves - mind reading is only expected on stormy's part - nothing to do with being a mod LMAO (now that song's stuck in my head again! AAARGH!)

No..that's where you are wrong Kerrie...Leigh insists on it..like I said it is on the mod criteria list....LMAO

[kezabelle]

Ahhh - so you've been sneaking in to Stormy's mind reading classes... :D But, you're a mum so you have years of experience!

[grammyjo]

It's too late for me this time. Any ideas on next book? We've started a Tuseday Night Book Club here.

[miss kiki]

just want to say thanks to stormy for sending me her book. did you want me to send it back to you?
oh and thanks to crashtest for offering me hers too. :)

[Stormy]

Kiki, when I said giveaway - I meant it. It stays away. :P

Whether you choose to re-gift it, keep it indefinitely or even just leave it in a cafe somewhere for someone else to read and enjoy is entirely up to you. :)

[miss kiki]

ok, just double checking. thanks alot! :)

[kezabelle]

Finished last night! Yay! :D

GrammyJo - no idea of the next book, but if you have a suggestion? :)

[Patricia]

Come on girls ...let's start discussing now, I have finished 3 other books now and if we don't start soon I am going to forget what the hell the book was even about....LMAO

[Stormy]

Okay girls, I've started a discussion thread in Social Groups - Book Club about The Stockmen, so if you don't want the plot ruined because you haven't finished reading yet don't open it yet :hehe:

[kezabelle]

I haven't started a new book for that reason Patricia :D Lucky I have a little bub to keep me occupied and tired though, or I'd be i the same boat as you.

We probably should come up with some suggestions for the next book soon though so that people can start looking for it soon.

[miss kiki]

gosh, it's hard to not take a peak on the discussion thread on the stockmen. i just received the book from stormy today. thanks stormy! :waves: will start it tonight and hopefully not put it down for the next couple days! :hehe: i need to catch up! :D

[Stormy]

Just a reminder....the next book for the month of June will be Last Man Standing by David Balducci as chosen by Susiq. :yes:

That's if you're not all over the concept of a book club already LMAO

[Kekka]

You know I ditched the bookclub Stormy....it wasn't my cup of tea. I didn't get beyond page 20 of the first book.

I'm working on a reputation as a piker....first The Biggest Loser, now the Online Bookclub.......LMAO

[redrobyn]

I don't pike out on reading, I actually read a lot of books I just don't get around to reading the nominated books my intentions are good I just keep forgetting to go look for them.

[miss kiki]

stormy, did we agree on a book per month? and of course we can read other books in between if we're fast readers..?

[susiq]

Kekka - LOL! Are you right, come on give it one more go!

[Stormy]

Kiki, you can read ten million books a month if you like - just don't expect everyone else to keep up! :hehe:

I've decided that it will be one book a month since there was very little input from anyone on the matter. :P

[zen]

i thought that one book a month was a done deal.. hadn't realised you had to make an executive decision there SW! :)

are we all reading Last Man Standing? when is the month up?

[Stormy]

Neither did I zen....no one else suggested an increased frequency so I assumed we had agreed on one a month. :dk:

Ok another executive decision - we'll do it by calendar month. So June 1 to June 30 will be Last Man Standing for any and all who would like to join in. :)

[lucyloo]

okay, I'll look into it!!!:)

[miss kiki]

sounds good. sorry, i was a bit confused, because it was mentioned once and i didn't know if that's what everyone has decided or not. thanks. :)

[susiq]

Hi everyone, I finally got around to actually picking up a copy of Last Man Standing!

I work in Sydney and Dymocks here is pretty big. The were having a huge sale and I picked it up for $9.95. It was one of those 2 stories in one book which is a total bargin. Two books for the price of one AND on sale!

Seperately, the book was $14.95. So, if you haven't gotton a copy yet, call your local Dymocks and see if it's in the sale bin.

[miss kiki]

hopefully i'll be finishing narina in the next week and then will buy the book last man standing. i can't read two books at once! i tend to not read one of them at the end. :hehe: