A reading group for AB ?

[sunny-dave]

Hello boys and girls of a literary bent (ooh matron indeed)

After the wonderful success of chaptazbru’s thread, it was suggested a couple of weeks ago that we have a ‘virtual reading group’ on AB. After a quick exchange of emails with the esteemed Ab_Ed, I’m going to have a go at getting one going – hopefully it will then become self propelled rather than turning into a monthly chore for any particular person.

Sooo …. how could it work (just my first ideas, other suggestions welcome) :

June Week 1 : Thread opened for suggestions for June book – one suggestion per person, please check that it is available (preferably cheaply) on Amazon or similar sites. If you can check stock at a local library or two then that will help to indicate availability too.

June W2 : Five books selected and Ab_Ed opens a poll to choose between them

June W3 : Chosen book announced – discussion to start in August (gives 6 weeks to read book)

July W1 : suggestions for July book

July W2 : poll for July book

July W3 : July book announced

Aug W1 : suggestions for Aug book, discussion starts on June book

Aug W2 : poll for Aug book

Aug W3 : Aug book announced

Sep W1 : suggestions for September book, discussion starts July book

etc etc

Questions before we start :

1. What type of books do we want to read – should we have a theme/genre for suggestions each month ?
2. Who chooses the 5 books for the poll ?
3. Any other ideas/thoughts/problems ?


And finally …who’s buying the beer for the annual (real world) Foster’s Up when we shred the reputations of anyone unwise enough not to attend :+)

dave xx

[rowanwitch]

how about a single book with comparison reading for those who can get through them a lot quicker....

[Maydup]

Sounds great Dave and I'm all for your timeline and suggestions for managing the selections, well done.

(Personally I'm a slow reader plus I work full time so I'd drop out quickly if the pressure got too hot. If others read quickly then perhaps they can compare with other books read in between times.)

[bensmum]

Good idea Dave as is the theme suggestion. Will mean that we don't get the same type of book each month. I'm definitely interested.

[boxtops]

It's a great idea, and had I not already got several shelves-full of books beside my bed awaiting reading, I might have joined in - but I can't read to a timetable, sometimes I take months to finish a book and other times, a weekend. I also don't think I'd particularly want to dissect a book I've just read, particularly if I've really enjoyed it.

[NOX]

I'm in, sounds great so far. I'm quite a quick reader so six weeks sounds horrifically long but I'm happy to compare to accommodate those who don't wade through em as quickly or we could go for those who are fast readers reading the shortlist in order of preference. Thanks Dave/ Ed for the effort put into this:)

[sunny-dave]

Nudge for the Saturday Crew ...

[sophie_1003]

Sounds good; one book for 6 weeks sounds fine to me as some weeks I just don't get reading much at all!

[China Doll]

I reckon we just have a crack at it as per the June timetable and see how we go... I suspect quite a few people might join in who haven't expressed any particular interest. It'd be good to expand my reading list a little, I'm very entrenced in my nordic noir at the moment and haven't really taken a look at what else is out there for several months!

[sunny-dave]

Nordic noir - yes, addictive isn't it :+)

[mrs_overall]

Great idea dave, count me in

[craft1948]

I'm in :-)

[Jan1957]

Me too, as long as I can get it on my kindle.

[Bambiagain]

I would be really interested, on the proviso that if I can't get hold of a particular book I may have to opt out of that particular month. I don't live near a bookshop that sells English language books and I rely on Amazon second-hand where I can get them - budget doesn't allow purchase of new books too often. I've been let down recently by two getting lost in the post, as well (they turned up over a month later which would severely handicap participation). As for genre, I often get stuck in a rut of reading the same old thing as finding new authors by online searching is a bit hit or miss, so being introduced to new authors/genres would be a good thing.

[treetops1]

I want to join, I get into crime books and forget there are others.

[sunny-dave]

I'll be kicking this off tomorrow ... watch this space

< or actually a slightly different space - but you get my drift >

[sunny-dave]

Ideas for future monthly genres in this new thread please ...

http://www.theanswerb.../Question1136811.html

[flump1]

Hi Sunny Dave, I am a prolific reader and would love to join your group. What a great idea. I pop over into literature now and again for a root around and inspiration . Look forward to the group starting ! : )

[DaisyNonna]

Love to join

[Canary42]

Although I love the idea, my enthusiasm is tempered by the unfortunate fact that the last online Book Group I joined folded shortly afterwards, with my post being the last one. And there wasn't anything nasty/controversial/etc about it.

Never mind, count me in and I'll try not to jinx it.