Book club

[The Golden Sprout]

Is anyone interested in doing a book club together? Here are some ideas on what and how we could read:

• We can read short works (stories or novellas) - works that would take up to 5 hours to finish (150 pages tops). We could do a story every 2 or 3 weeks or even be flexible and just let each other know when our schedules allow it
• We can pick the work in two rounds: first choose the general mood or theme, and then pick the title itself
• I think it would be most rewarding to choose either something classic and/or poignant that can lead to an open discussion and/or differing views, or simply something light and fun that can yield further discussion
• We can discuss the readings either on a Zoom or Discord call (video not necessary), or in a thread in writing. Personally, I think a call is better, and I'm saying that fully aware that I'm on a social anxiety board. I just think it can be a more positive and more memorable experience

How does that sound? Do let me know about any other suggestions or simply post to register your interest if this seems like something you'd be up for!

[Mike.Kzov]

What a good idea. I'm interested.

[biscuits]

I'm interested too :D

[βetty]

I'd be interested

[Mike.Kzov]

Book suggestions:



It's not too long, more a novella than a novel. It's an easy read, really funny with a likeable, unusual main character.



Also not too long. It's a classic, but still an exciting, scary read.

[The Golden Sprout]

I love that there's already three of you!

Mike, great suggestions! Convenience Store Woman is actually among my most recent reads and I found it very refreshing, so I'd really like to re-read and talk about it.

I've not yet read TWotW and I do want to, so this is a tough choice.


Betty, biscuits, what do you think of the choices above?

[biscuits]

I really like the sound of Convenience Store Woman

(I haven't managed to read an entire book (of more than 12 pages) since I was a child haha so I'm the last person to ask.)

Happy with either choice :D

[The Golden Sprout]

Originally Posted by biscuits

I really like the sound of Convenience Store Woman

(I haven't managed to read an entire book (of more than 12 pages) since I was a child haha so I'm the last person to ask.)

Happy with either choice :D

Hey, that's also alright! I don't think one has to read the entire thing when joining for the book club because the convo often digresses quite fast into topics that are relatable to anyone

Are you able to borrow this in your local library, btw?

[biscuits]

Aw that's good to know. Thank you! I'm hoping the idea of people counting on me to read will motivate me to do it!

Good question. I just checked the online catalogue and they have it :D but I haven't used my library card since I was in school! Presumably it becomes void after a certain amount of time?! I'll check tomorrow because I need to go into town to donate some bras.

[biscuits]

Success: I signed up for a library card.

The librarian seemed surprised and he asked me why I wanted to sign up. "To take out books," I replied and he laughed.

Not such a success: they didn't have the book. I must have used the catalogue incorrectly. What a library n00b hehe

[Jen.]

^ I don't know if it's the same as where I live, but the online catalogue for my local library shows everything available in all the libraries in the area and you have to set the filter to only show what's in your local one. Although if a book is listed in the catalogue but isn't at your local library you can just pay a small fee (the one for mine is 20p) and they'll transfer it over for collection, usually by the next day.

[βetty]

Worth checking if they've got ebooks or online audio books too, there's apps you can download, mine uses Libby and Borrowbox. Looks like my County library service has the audiobook available if I can't get hold of a physical copy

[Mr. Nobody]

[biscuits]

It's strange how where I live there are two different libraries (a county one and a city) so I think I'll join the city library too.

Thanks for the library tips, everyone! I've requested a copy but who knows when it will arrive. Good shout on the audiobooks. I'll see what I can do.

Edit: it's in transit at the moment so I should be able to collect it on Saturday.

[Mike.Kzov]

^ excellent! I think you’ll like Convenience Store Woman, I can see it chiming with your sense of humour.

Originally Posted by The Golden Sprout

Mike, great suggestions! Convenience Store Woman is actually among my most recent reads and I found it very refreshing, so I'd really like to re-read and talk about it.

I've not yet read TWotW and I do want to, so this is a tough choice.

CSW will be a re-read for me too, it would be great to hear what others make of it.

Would be interested in any recommendations other have, too

[The Golden Sprout]

Mike, you might like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. It so happened that I read those two back-to-back and there are some obvious parallels. Would have suggested that one here, but it's almost 400 pages (although it reads fast)

[genovese]

Picked up CSW from the library

[The Golden Sprout]

Originally Posted by genovese

Picked up CSW from the library

Yay and hello!

[Mike.Kzov]

Originally Posted by The Golden Sprout

Mike, you might like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine. It so happened that I read those two back-to-back and there are some obvious parallels. Would have suggested that one here, but it's almost 400 pages (although it reads fast)

Thanks for the recommendation. The reviews seem to be quite mixed, I'll have to read it and make up my own mind.

[genovese]

^^ Ta

There's a bucket load of physical copies circulating in London libraries. Most are checked out so you gotta reserve to get one. On my Libby app they have a few copies, with about a 2 week wait for one.

[biscuits]

Tomorrow I am car-less and (of course) it's the only day I can pick up the book. I've managed to get a lift to the library though, so that's good!

Once we all have the book how will we discuss it?

[Mike.Kzov]

^ Huzzah, one step closer. Next you just need to read the thing

[biscuits]

Maybe we should have a zoom session where we take turns to read a chapter to each other haha

SA exposure/hell.

[Mike.Kzov]

^ That was always my least favourite part of English class at school!

I agree with The Golden Sprout that a Zoom/Discord call would be good. Though I'm easy :-)

[biscuits]

Some punk requested the book, so I returned it to the library without finishing.

Luckily, I've managed to get it as an audiobook.

[Mike.Kzov]

^ Hope you're enjoying it :-]

[anxiouslondoner]

I had an Amazon voucher so I bought some Iain (M) Banks to read. I've not read anything by him before. Well I'm not much of a reader really, at least not books. I just tend to read crap online.

[βetty]

Ah balls, I forgot to pick my reserved copy up from the library again and it's closed tomorrow. I can't remember how long it's been sat there, they might have sent it back already

^ Which Ian Banks book is it? Or is it an Ian M Banks book?

[anxiouslondoner]

^ I bought The Wasp Factory and a box set of the first three Culture books. So it's both I guess.

[Mike.Kzov]

^ I read The Wasp Factory earlier this year. It's one of the oddest and darkest books I've ever read. Certainly original though!