When I was in a book club, I wouldn't show up if I hadn't read that month's book. I eventually left when almost no one each month read the book. The socialising was nice but, c'mon, read the book.
@timrichards@bookstodon Our book club's been going 20 years. We started off doing all the right things, for several years, but then the rot set in with ppl not reading or finishing the book. Also a hassle to source the books when the library arrangements changed. Now we just enjoy catching up monthly; books are still occasionally mentioned/swapped but it's not the focus any more.
@bookstodon@timrichards
I have never joined a book club before as I’d rarely finish a book in a month. I usually only read when I go to bed & quite often am falling asleep after a chapter or two.
@feather1952@bookstodon@timrichards
My local library has a book group but not for a specific book, you just come along and talk about what you've been reading lately. I haven't attended yet but I'm tempted
@siftinsand@feather1952@bookstodon I've heard about that concept and I like it. I did find with my book group that you read more widely, but it cut into your time for reading things you liked.
@timrichards@siftinsand@feather1952@bookstodon That's a great idea..! I have always been put off book groups because I am a slow reader and assume somebody will always nominate something long and, for me, irritating by Murakami.
@siftinsand@feather1952@bookstodon@timrichards My bookclub just switched from reading a book together to discussing books we have read/reading. I was doubtful, but it has been more fun and brought some new energy to our club.
@realn2s@Arlenecw@siftinsand@feather1952@bookstodon Yeah I get the feeling the standard book cub concept was invented partly to encourage busy people to read. But I'm always reading antway, so I don't want the book club choices to cut into my preferred reading.
My main book club (yes, there are 2) is full of avid readers who often keep 2 or 3 books in parallel progress, beyond the one we are reading together. A shared of our weekly time together is individuals calling out other books recently read and enjoyed, just to recommend for those extracurricular readings.
That sounds fun, I read about 2-3 for heavy reading. Casual reading I sometimes have 7-12 books at once, I try to work with interest without going to wild. If I wasn’t interested in so much it would be far easier!