Septembers book

[ezmay]

The Light in the Window
by June Goulding


Hopefully everyone will be able to get the book in time to start reading it in september

[jillybeanz]

Hey thanks for that Ezmay :) I have been able to order my copy from the bookstore, should be here in 2 weeks.

So just to clarify, we start reading the book in September ... when do we start giving feedback on it? Can we set a date for that so that everyone can join in around the same time? What do you think?

[kezabelle]

Nope, don't agree Jb LMAO - sorry, thought it would be fun to be contrary :hehe:

Oh, and thanks Ez :)

[susiq]

Thanks Ezmay.

I'm not fussed on picking a date to start reviewing. Most people finish before the end of the month anyway!

[zen]

oh no, sorry girls.. you are going to have to excuse me from this one..

[jillybeanz]

Surely the whole idea of having a book club is to share discussion of the book? So if we do it all together then it can get quite lively and be a bit of fun? :D

If fast readers start giving their critique before others have had a chance to finish (or even know if they want to finish) - or before the book has arrived for some of us - then there doesn't seem much point (to me) to participate. It would then be like talking to yourself, if you were the last to finish.

If we have a start date and a review date, wouldn't that be a good thing?

Just my 2 cents ...

[Stormy]

There is still ongoing discussion about Infidel....and that was quite a while ago now. :)

The great thing about forums is that they are not like chat rooms where you have to be there and then at a certain time to discuss something with other people. The thread will always be there and people are free to come back to it as many times as they like. And to be quite honest, depending on the nature of the book (haven't even Googled it yet), sometimes there just isn't much to discuss other than whether you liked it or not or bits you found interesting/funny. If you want to have a lively discussion about a book that we've read, then we'll have to start picking books which cover more controversial topics. :dk:

Well that's how I see it anyway.:2c:

[susiq]

Jilly, I had a think about this after I posted. A lot of us aren't online at the same time anyway, so whether you are 'chatting' so to speak within the thread or not - I think you can still have a lively conversation - as we do on most threads.

So, I'll have to agree with Stormy on this one.

[jaideii]

The Light in the Window
by June Goulding

Will try getting it at the library! :yes:

[jaideii]

Hi Bookclubbers!:waves:

A Bookclub Recommendation.

What about we choose a book, on the first day of the month, to start discussing on the first day of next month?

Ie, If The Light in the Window by June Goulding, was chosen on August 1st, we could start discussing it on September 1st. Which would make it September's book!

It could save confusion. And if people already have the book, or get it early, and read it early, they can jot notes down, ready to post on the first of the month the book is intended for.

If other people's orders come in late, they can jump in the discussion as soon as they've read it. And if it goes on into the next month (as Infidel has) then that's a great thing :)

What do you think?

[Patricia]

:yes:...sounds like a plan Jaide...sounds good to me :)

[jillybeanz]

I didn't explain myself very well, sorry girls ... :hehe:

What I meant was more along the lines of what Jaide has suggested ....

Nominate the new title 4 weeks before its needed
Set commencement date
Set discussion date

That way everyone gets a chance to organise their book. If we have a discussion date, we can jump in then and keep adding as we feel to the discussion. (Most book clubs I know of allow 4 weeks to read the book.)

I know you have been doing this for a while and might like to stay with the system you have in place because it works well. If that is the case, could we look at doing a second book club for people who live a bit more remote and need to have the advance notice in organising a book? Just a suggestion! :)

[jaideii]

Is there someone that runs this bookclub? I can't keep up with who does what in this forum sometimes! Everyone has a different 'title'! Is there somewhere that has 'job titles' listed? :P (and no, i'm not being rude in case anyone is going to take offence, i'm just confused!)

By the way, First Tuesday Bookclub (ABC with Jennifer Byrne) has this type of set up too...

On the First Tuesday of the month, they select the book to read for the next month and everyone has that month to get the book, read it, thinking about it and then listen to what everyone says on the next first Tuesday of the month.

Pretty simple process really.

Seems in here, a book is selected, and the discussion begins. And before you know it, it's ended! I can't work out what happened to the Wolf in Shadow thread, i can't find it! :hehe:

[kezabelle]

Ok, I suggested the bookclub, Stormy was very generously trying to run it amongst her many other tasks (and she did that purely voluntarily). So, I vaguely took it back - but I think as long as we agree to the basic guidelines, we don't really need some to 'run' it. I started a thread a few weeks ago asking if anyone wanted to choose a book - it's in Social Groups/Bookclub and called something along the lines of Do you want to pick a book? (Yes I could find it.... but I'm too lazy and my computer is too slow :)).

But, if someone is to 'run' it, I'll take the job (love giving myself titles! :hehe:).
1. If you want to choose a book, please say so in the relevant thread.
2. The book should be mentioned at least a month before that month (ie, September's book notified at least by August 1st). Stormy (or another mod) is able to put the book cover page up in the bookclub section for that month so you can look and see.
3. Discussion starts on the 1st of the month (or any time after that when someone bothers to start the thread).
4. The discussion runs as long as it takes.

[jillybeanz]

Kez, can you please clarify for me ...

September's book (for example) is chosen 1st August.
We have all of September to read it?
Discussion for September's book begins 1st October? Or did you mean discussion opens 1st Sept and carries thru September?

TIA!! :D

[susiq]

I am confused but Keza can you just confirm that Light in the Window needs to be read by 31 August and discussion starts 1 September.

That's at least what I thought was happening.

[Night Crawler]

Kezabelle and Stormy, I'm going to try and clarify the process here - at least as I understand it - in a way I think will clear up the confusion. Just trying to help so my apologies if I'm stepping on your toes. If I get it all right, please would one of you clarify that it is? If any or all of it is wrong, please clarify that as well. (My theory being that if it is all correct, then I've saved you a bit of time typing it all up! :))

Kez's post seem pretty clear to me ladies. So, let's break it down into to steps:

1) On August 1st, the new book for September, which is - The Light in the Window, by June Goulding - was chosen and announced. Discussion for this book will commence on October 1st, 2008. It is assumed that it should take members no longer than 4 to 6 weeks to track down and obtain a copy of any book of the month.

2) That means you have all of August, and even part of September if needed, to obtain a copy of The Light in the Window.

3) You then have whatever time remains between the day you obtained the book and when Discussion starts on October 1st to read this book.

However, if you are not finished reading it by October first, it is STILL okay as discussions are ongoing until the thread dies of it's own accord. As in everyone who wants to comment on/discuss the book in any way, has done so. For example:

I delayed making my post about Infidel for several reasons and I did it for so long that I somehow got it in my brain that I had posted. But when I checked the thread a few days ago - to see if anyone had replied to my comments about the book and the related links I provided - I discovered that I had not in fact actually posted anything! Doh! So then I did make the post for real, book club members noticed and starting replying to my post...thus reviving what appeared to be a dead thread.

So you see, the timing of when you get the book and reading it is very loose and it's done that way to meet the individual needs of all our members, including those living in rural areas that must order their books online and wait several days/weeks for delivery! Same goes for the commencement of the discussion date. Yes, the August book discussion started quite early, but Kez has since clarified in her below post that henceforth, all discussion dates will start on the first of the following the month the book was chosen for.

Does this make more sense now?

[M-J]

It all makes sense to me now.... thanks NC

[kezabelle]

i actually meant start the discussion on 1st september, but if everyone's happy with october - go for it :hehe:

[Night Crawler]

i actually meant start the discussion on 1st september, but if everyone's happy with october - go for it :hehe:

Okay, then apparently I don't understand plain English either. Oh well, whatever works for the majority, Sept. or Oct. 1st. I really don't care anymore.....

[kezabelle]

Nothing to do with plain English NC - I stated the 1st of the month and didn't specify which. We'll go with October as that's what everyone wants.

It was meant to be such a simple thing... Isn't that the story of everything though? Or is it just me wanting to avoid organisation and rules? :hehe:

[jillybeanz]

KB, I went and poked my nose in and now it's all messy! LMAO Sorry chicken!

Look if that's what works well for you all why not leave it. If it aint broke don't fix it, right?

Would it be possible to start a second group to operate with the advance notice of ordering? I still have not received my copy of Wolf in Shadow and they told me two weeks to receive the next book choice (but I have learned from experience with the post up here to add another week :hehe: )

What do you reckon? Would anyone even be interested ... ?? :blink:

[jaideii]

But, if someone is to 'run' it, I'll take the job (love giving myself titles! :hehe:
Sounds good to me! Good on ya keza :-) And all your points look great! Looking forward to it! :)

[jaideii]

Hiya's! :)

Seems clear to me - we pick a book - keza announces the book 1st of the month, we read it and start a discussion about it by the 1st of the next month?

If you order your book on the 1st and it takes 2 to 3 weeks to get to you, you'd still have a week to read it :) And then be able to jump into the discussion..and if the discussion goes on for longer, so be it, it must be a good book! :)

I think another group would be confusing, one's proven to be enuff, but that's just my opinion. :blink:

[Patricia]

What do you reckon? Would anyone even be interested ... ?? :blink:

Oh my goodness Jilly...you really are a glutton for punishment girly :P

[jillybeanz]

I'm not trying to be a pain, honest!!! LMAO

It's just that I do love to read and discuss books. But it happens so fast here I don't have a chance to get my book before it's all over. I thought there might be others who also need advance warning to order their books on time to read then discuss. But maybe not.

I don't want to cause waves tho, so am happy to leave it as is.

[Patricia]

*throws Jilly a life preserver* :P

[Coffeebean]

Hi Everyone....
Was just reading this thread.....
Do you still want me to select a book for October?
And if so, when do you need my selection by?

[susiq]

Right-o. Just for the record Keza, I thought you meant to start Light in the Window by 1 Sept.

Sounds like it is now 1 Oct. though!

[Stormy]

I got lost somewhere two pages back. :hehe:

[M-J]

Now I'm confused again....is the book Light in the Window September book or October?

I still haven't received my book Wolf in shadow though so I have a lot of reading and catching up to do.....:D

[Night Crawler]

Nothing to do with plain English NC - I stated the 1st of the month and didn't specify which. We'll go with October as that's what everyone wants.

It was meant to be such a simple thing... Isn't that the story of everything though? Or is it just me wanting to avoid organisation and rules? :hehe:

Okay then. I am going to make one last attempt to see if we are all on the same page then...but I just want to add first that you, Kezabelle, are very brave for taking this on! My bean hurts just trying to figure out everyone's take on the original concept! :headh:

As it seems that Kezabelle, our revered club leader, is willing to go with the general consensus of what appears to be the best compromise for everyone, I will try one last time to boil down my understanding of what we plan to do. Please respond with a simple YES or NO to each of the following points to indicate if whether or not you agree that they:

A) Indicate your understanding of what you think the majority is aiming for, AND

B) Whether or not you prefer this way (IF applicable to point made), AND

C) Whether or not you agree to what is stated here.

And please ladies, read this post in FULL before responding!

Points:

1 - September's book is The Light in the Window, by June Goulding

2 - You can purchase and read it anytime you want, but discussion for it will begin on October 1st - whether you have the book and/or have read it by then or not!

3 - The Discussion thread any will die AFTER everyone who wants to, has, made any and all comments they want to - REGARDLESS of how long it takes - whether you make them in the first week after it begins, or many weeks later!

4 - Each month's book will be chose by ONE book club member by the first day of the previous month. This provides a minimum of 8 weeks for member's to obtain and read the book before discussion on it begins!

5 - October`s book is being chosen by Coffeebean - on or before September 1st - the Discussion for it will begin November 1st.

6 - Who choose's the following month's choice will work on a rotatiing volunteer basis. As in Coffeebean choose's the October book by September 1st, a different volunteer - if there is one - will choose November's book by October 1st.

7 - Final and last point...If you don't like the book chosen for the next month in question, too bad for you! :P Just don't read it and bow out for that month. Rejoin the party when one comes up that you like, or better yet, volunteer to choose the next book. Multiple volunteers are free to fight it out amongst themselves about who will next to hold the honour of choosing the next book to be read and discussed!

[kezabelle]

I'm completely lost - starting a new thread...

[Patricia]

LMAO...this thread is better than any book I have ever read and the rate we are going it is going to out rival War and Peace soon...LMAO

[Night Crawler]

LMAO...this thread is better than any book I have ever read and the rate we are going it is going to out rival War and Peace soon...LMAO

Yup, you got that right! I only wanted to help..........LMAO

[Coffeebean]

Going by what was posted in earlier threads, September's book is to be read in September and discussed throughout the month of October once everyone has had a chance to obtain the book and read it.
I think what might have been a little confusing to some is that August's book is already in discussion...
Maybe we need to set some rules down such as not discussing a book earlier than the prescribed time frame, so as to give others a chance to buy a book and read it... and so as others don't feel left behind, etc....
Anyway, I'll shut up now LOL I just wanted to have my little say.....

[kezabelle]

Yes, silly me thought that if July's book was discussed in July, then surely August's book would be discussed in August....

Anyway, Coffeebean, there's a new thread that explains it all :)

[jillybeanz]

Yay! I have got September's book, The Light in the Window :D Looks interesting too. Woohoo! Success! (I have still not received The Wolf in Shadow ... I think it's circumnavigating the earth without me.)

Yay! Can't wait for discussion time!!

[ezmay]

I chose the book and im still waiting for it to come in at the library.
Oh well i have read it before albeit a while ago so i should be able join in any discussion if it hasnt come in by the time we start chatting about it

[zen]

i am just about to cancel my book club membership.. :) it was a good idea.. but i'm over it.. have fun girls..

[jillybeanz]

Aww Zen! I hope it's not cos I upset the system? :blink:

[kell74]

can anyone tell me a little about the book before i go and buy it?
just dont like buying a book if im only going to read the first 5 pages lol...not enough to spoil it maybe just whats on the back of it....thanks

[jaideii]

Yay! I have got September's book, The Light in the Window :D Looks interesting too. Woohoo! Success! !

I've just finished mine :) Have you JB? :P Let's see, how many days till we talk..............Ooo, the countdown is on..what's today, Wednesday now...:yes:

4 days to go...:P

OMG! Have a look at my # of posts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHERE WILL I POST MY THOUSANDTH???????????????/





<--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[susiq]

can anyone tell me a little about the book before i go and buy it?
just dont like buying a book if im only going to read the first 5 pages lol...not enough to spoil it maybe just whats on the back of it....thanks

Hey Kell

If you go to dymocks.com.au and type in the name you will get the synopsis.

I picked my copy up from the local library so yours may have it too.

I finished it on the weekend and it's an excellent read.

I've just finished mine :) Have you JB? :P Let's see, how many days till we talk..............Ooo, the countdown is on..what's today, Wednesday now...:yes:

4 days to go...:P



Jaide - hate to tell you but discussion doesn't start until 1 October!

I have also read it and now need to wait.

Somewhere along the way an extra month has been added to reviewing.

[jaideii]

Jaide - hate to tell you but discussion doesn't start until 1 October!
.


OMG! Susi, you're the bearer of bad news, my memory won't be able to retain my POV's for that long..i'll have to make notes now so i don't forget all the intricasies..lol! :headh:

[susiq]

LOL Jaide - I know, much the same here. I've taken a few notes too!

Sorry to have to tell you

[jillybeanz]

Jaide - hate to tell you but discussion doesn't start until 1 October!

I have also read it and now need to wait.

Somewhere along the way an extra month has been added to reviewing.

Awww girls!! It's all my fault!!! LMAO Light was September's book, for discussion in October ... But please, no cement shoes! LMAO

[susiq]

OK Jilly - just this once right!

[jillybeanz]

Susi! You make me LMAO.

[jaideii]

Awww girls!! It's all my fault!!! LMAO Light was September's book, for discussion in October ... But please, no cement shoes! LMAO

I forgive easily jilly! LMAO But actually, it's no one's fault, it's just the way it turned out and we'll be all organised for the books in the future now that it's all sorted :)

[Stormy]

I thought the whole idea of choosing the book the month ahead was so that discussion could actually start on the first of the month it was for. Go check the other thread where the rules were discussed, I'm pretty sure that's how it was supposed to work. :dk:

If we're not going to start talking about The Light in the Window for another whole month I think I'll be bailing on this book club too because the pace is just way too slow! :headh:

[susiq]

Stormy, I do have to agree with you on this which is why I was confused when it seemed like a whole month had been added!

I just looked up Bookclub Rules - via the search function.

Keza did use September as an example. Book to be chosen prior to or on the 1st of September

Discussion to take place on 1 October.

I am more than happy to start discussing it on 1 September though.

We all seem to be quick readers here. I guess it's just the sourcing of the book to start with.

[Coffeebean]

Hi Ladies...

I have selected October's book.... it's in another thread titled October's book
Why not change the dates if everyone wants to.... Like October's book can be read now and discussed in Oct...
I guess it is hard when rules are made along the way, but it's all a learning experience and everyone means well.... But once the rules are perfected, then we can all sit back and enjoy a great bookclub.
We can discuss Aug and Sept books together and then as Oct rolls around, we can discuss one book a month....
What does everyone else think?
I hope the ladies that have bowed out cause of rule confusions will come back and be a part of a great bookclub.

Hope everyone is having a good Tues....

Love,
CB
xxx

[Stormy]

Coffeebean, if we could start discussing the book as we finish it (as we had done previously) then I'd be happy to keep going. But if there's going to be around a 2 month lag before this one starts, then I really don't know whether it's worth the bother. I'll have largely forgotten anything I might have wanted to talk about by then. :dk:

[susiq]

Thanks CB. I missed that thread but did a search and found it now.

My library has it and it's on order.

[Coffeebean]

Coffeebean, if we could start discussing the book as we finish it (as we had done previously) then I'd be happy to keep going. But if there's going to be around a 2 month lag before this one starts, then I really don't know whether it's worth the bother. I'll have largely forgotten anything I might have wanted to talk about by then. :dk:

That sounds good, but if you give ppl a fair time frame, then the slower readers and the ladies that have to wait for a book to come into a library or store wont feel so left behind. What was written previously was that Oct's book be read in Oct and discussed in Nov. But what I seem to understand is that perhaps Oct's book be discussed in Oct to make it more current. So if ppl want to list books in advance, it gives ppl a chance to read the book selected. Not everyone has the luxury of reading a book a week, etc... I guess what you are suggesting is that we all discuss a book as everyone finishes it. But what I am wondering is what happens to the ladies who cannot obtain a book as fast as others? And who cannot read as fast as others? Then the book gets discussed and then some ladies are left behind. I guess they are in the minority....
But then the book is discussed and by the time they join the thread to add a comment, others have moved onto another book and the thread somewhat dies?
How about 2 books a month? And then the fast ones can read 2 and the others can read/pick one book and still feel included in the discussions?

[Stormy]

I wasn't suggesting a book a week but I really didn't think a book a month was too much for most people to handle. I figured since we've had most of August to read Light in the Window, that we'd actually be talking about it in September. :dk:

[Coffeebean]

Ohhhhh yep....
Perhaps Sept's book should be reviewed/discussed in Sept and Oct's Book in Oct, etc.....
To make it more current and perhaps less confusing for others.
But you know, perhaps 2 books a month might be nice for the ones who read a lot....
I am one of the minority who reads less than others and also is a slow reader. And am happy to read one book a month.
But the original idea was that September's book was to be read in Aug and reviewed in Sept.
Hard when others finish reading the book and get bored waiting for the suggested time frame to discuss the book. That's why I am suggesting 2 books a month.... What do you think?

[Stormy]

I'd be happy with that Coffeebean but I wasn't the one who made the rules so perhaps you'd have to consult with those folks first. ;)

[jaideii]

I thought the whole idea of choosing the book the month ahead was so that discussion could actually start on the first of the month it was for.

That's what i originally thought was a good idea too!!!!! (I did post that earlier on as well :)) IE See original post, posted on the first page of this thread, see below:

Can we still do it that way kezabelle? :D

------------------------------------------------------
11-08-2008, 04:29 AM
Hi Bookclubbers!

A Bookclub Recommendation.

What about we choose a book, on the first day of the month, to start discussing on the first day of next month?

Ie, If The Light in the Window by June Goulding, was chosen on August 1st, we could start discussing it on September 1st. Which would make it September's book!

It could save confusion. And if people already have the book, or get it early, and read it early, they can jot notes down, ready to post on the first of the month the book is intended for.

If other people's orders come in late, they can jump in the discussion as soon as they've read it. And if it goes on into the next month (as Infidel has) then that's a great thing

What do you think?

[Coffeebean]

I'm all for it....
Sounds good to me. And it would be less confusing as to when the book should be discussed etc....

[zen]

i just rejoined -briefly- so i could post here..

there has been way more discussion on how to run the bookclub than there has ever been on any one book so far.. if there was discussion like this on any book, it might be worthwhile!! :D

all the 'rules' are too confusing and there is not enough discussion on books, is why i have bowed out... whatever happened to Wolf in Shadow? i thought there were other people reading it too?

i quite liked the lack of 'rules' before.... the casual, easy going approach, no stress involved...

where's kezabelle lately btw? have i missed something somewhere?

ok.. i'm out again.. :waves:

(once i leave the bookclub, which i will do again now, i will not be able to post in these threads..)

[Coffeebean]

I think a few of us are reading or have read Wolf in Shadow which from my understanding is to be discussed in Sept....

[Stormy]

I read it and posted on it already....back before the whole "thou shalt not post before deadline" rule came in. I didn't really care for it that much so I didn't have that much to say about it. :)

And in case no one has picked up on it....I preferred the less rigid approach too. At least then, when you finished reading a book, you could post about it and if others had finished, so be it. If not, the thread just stayed idle until others had finished reading. I get the distinct impression that no matter what the rules are, that's always going to be the case...

Either way I will start a discussion thread about Light in the Window come September 1st regardless of who has or hasn't finished the book. You can either join in then or join in on October 1st....up to you. :dk:

[susiq]

Good-o, looks like we're back to the casual approach.

Let's see how that goes.

Stormy, you, me and Jaide might the only ones discussing Light in Shadow initially.

[jaideii]

Stormy, you, me and Jaide might the only ones discussing Light in Shadow initially.

Now we're so confused even the amalgamation of the titles look normal! LMAO Sorry susi..i just had a laugh when i saw that cos i'm saying the exact same thing in my brain! LOL

By the way, I'm all for discussing Wolf in Shadow and the Light in the Window! Whenever! I've read them both (WIS ages ago!!!)! But not sure i can remember the details! I read so many books that if i were to recall each one concisely a month later my brain would become super clogged! (Admittedly, i no longer read as many since i've discovered AFW!)

It's only the books that really make a profound difference to my life that i can actually quote from a few weeks later !:P I think i will stick to ABC's First Tuesday Bookclub for my book discussion fix! :yes: Praps we should have the person who selects the book, direct the discussion each month!? Just to add another variable for discussion in this lively thread!

I will check back here on Monday 1st Sept to see what discussion will appear!

zen: are you quitting the bookclub altogether???????????? :blink:

[Stormy]

She's already quit Jaideii....twice now. :P

BTW there has already been a discussion thread for Wolf in Shadow yonks ago.....you can find it here (http://www.allforwomen.com.au/forums/showthread.php?t=34501).

Zen had a really good point though.....there's been 8 pages of discussion on this thread, mostly about when the book will be discussed. There was also another 7 or 8 pages about the original idea of having "rules" attached to this book club. Yet we're lucky to squeeze three pages out of any of the books that were actually discussed. :brow: