Just T
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Post by Just T on Jan 8, 2020 0:45:00 GMT
The book thread made me think of this. Last winter, when I was having a really bad, feeling sorry for myself kind of day, I got on my Nextdoor group and innocently asked if anyone was interested in a book club. By the end of the day, I had about 18 people who were interested, and we had already scheduled a meeting to go over the logistics of our club TWO days later.
Almost a year later, I can't imagine my life without this book club and these ladies. It has been such an incredible experience. Our first real meeting was in April, at my house. We met every month after that except December. I am so enjoying the group of ladies. It's a diverse group--a couple of retired gals, a couple of teachers, a younger mom who is a social worker but stays home because she has a special needs son, a couple of single ladies. I have had so much fun getting to know all of them, and we have all bonded in a way. One gal's son (the one with special needs) had a major surgery a few months ago, and we all all got together to make her family a huge care package. I have gotten to be friends with her outside the group, and we have gone to lunch and gotten together before Christmas to watch a movie. I'm sad that she is moving away in June because her husband was transferred.
I was really nervous at the beginning that our group was too large, but we ended up with a core group of 8-10 who regularly attend. It is fun because we all genuinely like each other. We have read some really interesting books, some that I would never have chosen but ended up liking.
It turns out that a couple of the other gals were at kind of a difficult place in life at the time I started it, right along with me.  I also started a closed Facebook group for us, so we talk a lot there, too.
We didn't meet in December, and I am really looking forward to getting back into it this month.
I just thought it would be nice to give an update. Does anyone belong to a book club who would like to share fun things about their group, or how they run it, etc? |
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paget
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Post by paget on Jan 8, 2020 0:52:31 GMT
What a great update! I remember that thread and how you just went after it (starting the group). How cool that it is not only going still strong but that you’ve made such great connections. Dh and I have a group starting with our church next week. It’s a small group for couples and I am nervous because I have some social anxiety but am determined to push through it because Dh and I both have friends but no couple friends and it would be a good thing. We met the leaders at a picnic this summer and bonded a little then so there is potential. |
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Post by cindyupnorth on Jan 8, 2020 0:54:57 GMT
How nice!! I wish I had something like that where I live, but I'm just too lazy, and too tired at nights to do anything. What day of the wk do you met? and at each other's homes? you take turns?
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Post by LilyRose on Jan 8, 2020 1:10:56 GMT
What a great update!
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Post by freecharlie on Jan 8, 2020 1:13:37 GMT
That is awesome.
I joined a book club in November (really a teacher friend who is staying home with her baby started it).
I'd never been part of a book club before and have enjoyed it.
What books have you read for your book club?
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Post by gmcwife1 on Jan 8, 2020 1:16:13 GMT
Great update! I’m really happy for you and your group!
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mimima
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Post by mimima on Jan 8, 2020 1:17:59 GMT
This makes my heart happy.
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Just T
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Post by Just T on Jan 8, 2020 1:34:43 GMT
How nice!! I wish I had something like that where I live, but I'm just too lazy, and too tired at nights to do anything. What day of the wk do you met? and at each other's homes? you take turns? We meet on the last Wednesday of the month, unless that falls too close to a holiday or too many people won't be able to go. So November's meeting was the week before Thanksgiving.
Yes, we have taken turns at each other's houses. Which has been really fun. We have already scheduled the whole year of hosts. The person who hosts gets to pick the book. And we keep it simple. If you host, you don't have to provide any food, it's pot luck. Though so far, everyone has provided some food. We don't do dinner, just appetizers and sweets. We also agreed at the beginning that if you want alcohol, bring your own, but several people have also provided some wine.
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Just T
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Post by Just T on Jan 8, 2020 1:45:30 GMT
That is awesome. I joined a book club in November (really a teacher friend who is staying home with her baby started it). I'd never been part of a book club before and have enjoyed it. What books have you read for your book club? I hope your book club goes great!
These are the books we read: The Lost Girls of Paris On Fire (autobiography by a local "celebrity" who was severely burned as a little boy and is now an internationally known motivational/inspirational speaker) The Book Club By Mary Alice Monroe The Night Tiger Educated (This one was really fun because the gal who chose it and led the discussion is a high school English/writing teacher) The Rosie Project The Sense of an Ending I a missing one, but I can't think of what it is. LOL
We only have one chosen so far for 2020--Miracle Creek by Angie Kim.
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scrapngranny
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Post by scrapngranny on Jan 8, 2020 2:14:49 GMT
This makes my heart happy. The book group I have been in for about ten years is currently struggling trying to keep the group together.
There are lots of factors involved with our group losing it’s way. All of us have hugely different lives than we did ten years ago. Most of the women are now retired and traveling more. One of of our founding and central members has moved away, this has affected the group more than anyone thought it. We struggle to find books that everyone is interested in reading, therefore, deciding on a book is painful.
To hear how well your group is doing gives me the incentive to possibly start a group in my neighborhood. I could easily juggle belonging to two book groups. The group I currently belong to meets in the morning and I would prefer not to be in a group that meets at night, but that will exclude anyone who works.
I’m so glad your book group is thriving.
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AllieC
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Post by AllieC on Jan 8, 2020 2:38:17 GMT
What a wonderful update. Thanks so much for sharing. I really want to get into a book club. I will need to have a look around and see what is available here.
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Post by jemali on Jan 8, 2020 2:58:26 GMT
I’m glad your book club turned out so well. I am in one that sounds like a similar group of women. We meet at Caribou Coffee though instead of peoples houses. We also read a variety of books. We have read a couple that were turned into movies, it’s been fun to see the movie together and then discuss too.
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Post by PolarGreen12 on Jan 8, 2020 3:07:34 GMT
That’s great. I’m glad it’s turned into such a positive thing for you! And it’s not easy to make friends as an adult, so to make several is amazing! I joined a local book club I found through good read 5 years ago I think. I’ve never gone to a single meeting. 😞 I get all their emails and see the book selections so a lot of the time I do read the book. 😂 Someday I’ll go.
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smcast
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Post by smcast on Jan 8, 2020 3:51:20 GMT
I do remember that but can't believe it has been one year! So glad things are going smoothly. What books have you read? Didn't read all posts so maybe already said.
ETA: saw your post now, about books.
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Post by elaine on Jan 8, 2020 4:01:36 GMT
That is awesome. I joined a book club in November (really a teacher friend who is staying home with her baby started it). I'd never been part of a book club before and have enjoyed it. What books have you read for your book club? I hope your book club goes great! 
These are the books we read: The Lost Girls of Paris On Fire (autobiography by a local "celebrity" who was severely burned as a little boy and is now an internationally known motivational/inspirational speaker) The Book Club By Mary Alice Monroe The Night Tiger Educated (This one was really fun because the gal who chose it and led the discussion is a high school English/writing teacher) The Rosie Project The Sense of an Ending I a missing one, but I can't think of what it is. LOL
We only have one chosen so far for 2020--Miracle Creek by Angie Kim.
I found The Night Tiger fascinating - unlike anything else I’ve read. I’m so glad to hear of your update. Your bravery paid off - and I know that you will inspire others here to take some leaps this year.  |
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milocat
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Post by milocat on Jan 8, 2020 4:08:24 GMT
That's great! So happy to hear how well it's working for you. I've been in a book club for a few years. We always go to one lady's house, she's the most ederly and doesn't want to drive at night. She's only a few kilometers out of town and a few others have to drive from the rural area anyway. We take turns bringing a snack. The host lady makes the coffee and tea. We bring suggestions for books and usually have a printout summary, then keep them and flip through them each month and see what we feel like picking. We have 2 that would like non fiction, very textbook non fiction. One who only likes very light stuff. And us other 4 are more in between. But we enjoy the evening out and each other's company, so we comprise on the books.
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kelly8875
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Post by kelly8875 on Jan 8, 2020 13:19:04 GMT
I thought about staring a book club, but I’m kind of afraid too. So, I’m just looking for a good one to be a part of.
I’ve been attending one through the library for almost a year. I like it, it gets me out of the house on a weeknight. There’s a few members I’m not fond of, but overall the vibe is fine. We have a monthly theme, and read different books based on that theme. I like that, and enjoy hearing about different books.
I also attended our Barnes and Noble book club last night, and had a good time. There were 8 people, and sounded like 1 or 2 normal attendees were missing. I did like talking about the same book. I plan on going again next month. I feel like I already like this group better...didn’t get a weird vibe from anyone like the library group I’m in.
Hopefully I can continue to go to both, and not feel the need to try and form my own.
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Post by ToniW on Jan 8, 2020 14:50:41 GMT
That is awesome. I joined a book club in November (really a teacher friend who is staying home with her baby started it). I'd never been part of a book club before and have enjoyed it. What books have you read for your book club? I hope your book club goes great! These are the books we read: The Lost Girls of Paris On Fire (autobiography by a local "celebrity" who was severely burned as a little boy and is now an internationally known motivational/inspirational speaker) The Book Club By Mary Alice Monroe The Night Tiger Educated (This one was really fun because the gal who chose it and led the discussion is a high school English/writing teacher) The Rosie Project The Sense of an Ending I a missing one, but I can't think of what it is. LOL
We only have one chosen so far for 2020--Miracle Creek by Angie Kim.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 8, 2020 15:25:34 GMT
What a wonderful update! I love my book club and would be lost without it. One of the things we do in December is a holiday party with a book swap. Everybody brings a book, wrapped and then we draw them and trade white-elephant style. No stress for reading that month and it's a fun time to socialize.
I like your idea of bring your own alcohol and potluck food.
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breetheflea
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Post by breetheflea on Jan 8, 2020 15:31:39 GMT
I would love to find a book club.
I was in a mom-middle schooler book club for a few months last year but it was annoying because the mom running it (my neighbor) wasn't able to lead the discussion because she didn't read/finish the books... she said "most book clubs don't talk about the books anyway." I know it was difficult because we were reading books for 11-12 year olds but I want to talk about books with other live people!
Maybe I'll start my own club, thank you for being inspiring and sharing your story.
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keithurbanlovinpea
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Post by keithurbanlovinpea on Jan 8, 2020 15:59:53 GMT
My GFs and I were just talking about book clubs when we were together NYE, so I decided to start one! Our first one is in February and we are reading The Woman in the Window. We'll probably meet every other month if I stay the host, but if someone else wants to host I'd be up for that
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Post by kmcginn on Jan 8, 2020 17:02:22 GMT
I am in a book club and love it. It has made me read books I wouldn't ever have chosen for myself, but I really have enjoyed most of them.
We meet once a month and do dinner at the host's house.
I December we do a Christmas party potluck with spouses included.
It's great fun and I am very happy in the group!
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janeinbama
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Post by janeinbama on Jan 9, 2020 19:40:15 GMT
I joined an existing book club about year and half ago. I have known a couple of the women about 15 years from scrapbooking. There are about 8 regulars and all of us have invited new members. We meet at houses or at church meeting room if there are no volunteers. WE tried meeting at restaurants, but it was too loud for conversation. Some months hostess will serve full meal, others just appetizers. I try to bring food that ties into our book. Books are chosen by members, there are about 14 official members and you know 2 months in advance.
What I don't like is we don't meet the same day every month. Moderator will send a message out on private FB with a couple of dates and we vote. What I love is the friendship of these ladies - most of us 55+ and reading different book genre. We talk about the book online some and about 15% of our meeting time.
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Montannie
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Post by Montannie on Jan 9, 2020 20:53:50 GMT
I've been in a book club for a couple of years, organized similarly to you. We meet every month, but the December meeting is just to party, and pick books for the next year. There is wine drinking at each meeting, and the hostess provides the "main dish" for dinner. Everyone else brings wine, or an appetizer/salad/dessert.
We read "Educated" last spring. In the fall, Tara Westover spoke at the convocation ceremony at Montana State University, about 150 miles from where we are; we went over for dinner and sat through the convocation. We were disappointed she didn't sing.
At book picking time, each member submits one or two books for the coming year; we pull eleven from the hat, and assign the months. I am hosting this month with a friend. I'm making 15 bean soup, and Turkish Lentil Soup. I'm providing flatbread as well, and my friend will make a salad. Our January book is "Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls," by Mona Eltahawy. It's, uh, interesting. But like someone said, it's fun to read something you wouldn't necessarily pick for yourself. And we've had some remarkable discussions. Even if the book isn't great, there's something, some theme that we end up discussing.
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Post by refugeepea on Jan 9, 2020 21:25:06 GMT
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Post by librarylady on Jan 9, 2020 21:48:53 GMT
OP, I do remember when you began the club and how surprised you were that you had many members immediately.
I am happy for you that it has gone well...and inspired others to create a club also.
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Post by pjaye on Jan 9, 2020 22:54:50 GMT
Congratulations on the success of your book club!
I got the Next Door app about 9 months ago and one lady on there was posting about a book club regularly, however it was always on a day I was working.
Then one month I wasn't so I sent a message and said I'd come along. I've been to 7 meeting since then, there's only 4 of us, another lady came once but we must have put her off as she never came back!
The first few meeting we went to a restaurant for dinner but that has since closed for renovations, so the last few meetings we've been alternating going to each other's homes and we all bring food to share. I thought it would be fun the first time to bring food that related to the book, and that's been picked up by the others and now we bring food based on the country where the book is set.
Last month's book was the biography of one of Princess Margaret's ladies in waiting - so we had a boozy meal in honour of them and I made gin & tonic jello shots & a trifle, but I made the jello with champagne.
We all come from different careers but are close in age and we all get along really well. We actually do spend a bit of time talking about the books as well as getting to know more about each other's lives. One lady lived in the UK for the last 20 years, another is a curator at our main art gallery, one is an ex teacher and I'm the nurse so we often see different aspects of the books we read which makes it interesting.
One of the reasons I joined was to be open to reading a wide variety of books, but as it's turned out I seem to be the one who is selecting most of them.
I'm glad I decided to take the chance and meet up with a group of strangers.
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Just T
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Post by Just T on Jan 10, 2020 1:41:49 GMT
Wow, so many likes on this post. LOL My most EVER.
Thanks for your replies. I wasn't sure if anyone would remember that day I posted about starting a book club. I was soooo nervous! LOL I am more of a joiner, not a leader at all. I am so glad it has worked out, though.
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Just T
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Post by Just T on Jan 10, 2020 1:45:06 GMT
That's great! So happy to hear how well it's working for you. I've been in a book club for a few years. We always go to one lady's house, she's the most ederly and doesn't want to drive at night. She's only a few kilometers out of town and a few others have to drive from the rural area anyway. We take turns bringing a snack. The host lady makes the coffee and tea. We bring suggestions for books and usually have a printout summary, then keep them and flip through them each month and see what we feel like picking. We have 2 that would like non fiction, very textbook non fiction. One who only likes very light stuff. And us other 4 are more in between. But we enjoy the evening out and each other's company, so we comprise on the books. Your book club sounds really fun! |
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Just T
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Post by Just T on Jan 10, 2020 1:46:37 GMT
I thought about staring a book club, but I’m kind of afraid too. So, I’m just looking for a good one to be a part of. I’ve been attending one through the library for almost a year. I like it, it gets me out of the house on a weeknight. There’s a few members I’m not fond of, but overall the vibe is fine. We have a monthly theme, and read different books based on that theme. I like that, and enjoy hearing about different books. I also attended our Barnes and Noble book club last night, and had a good time. There were 8 people, and sounded like 1 or 2 normal attendees were missing. I did like talking about the same book. I plan on going again next month. I feel like I already like this group better...didn’t get a weird vibe from anyone like the library group I’m in. Hopefully I can continue to go to both, and not feel the need to try and form my own. I'm glad you enjoy the ones you are in, but if they don't work out, don't be afraid to start your own. If I can do it...anyone can!
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I also started a closed Facebook group for us, so we talk a lot there, too. 
