h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

A mammoth pins a notice to the wall of the library it reads:

New Circle Bookgroup: starting soon, do join us, and let us know what sort ofbooks you want to read.

*a bean bag lumbers in, hitches itself up and peers at the notice*

Short ones please.

I'd be happy to take part in a h2g2 book group as well as my 'real world' one, as long as I can find the time to read the books in addition to working, studying and rehearsing! I'll read most things.

This will probably be the first ever book group featuring an owl, a mammoth and a bean bag...

Never been in a bookgroup. I'll give it a go.

Add one lettuce to booksoup and simmer gently...

I like the idea of discussing the books I read, but I can't imagine adjusting my reading to a group itinerary. Anyway, I've just begun "The Liar's Tale" by Jeremy Campbell. It is very good so far. Good luck with the discussion group!

YB

... an owl, a mammoth and a bean bag go into a library ...

The mammoth sits down.

The bean bag is squashed and the owl flies off..

Welcome every one!

Now how are we going to run this thing?

I'm assuming we'll spend longer reader longer books, and less time reading shorter books. That will also help us keep up with our real world reading groups...

We can dissuss opinions as we go: but that might include spoliers..

Any suggestions on what to read?

We could even discuss books we've all already read...

Some suggestions.

Life of Pi - many of us many have already read it
Practett's - any discworld. Lots to read into if you look carefully
We Need to talk about Kevin. My last real world book group choice.

A Bookgroup in need of a spacecadette, clearly!

Ooh, good choices, all. I'm game to try "The Life of Pi".

And Terry Prachett! Yes, please!

mwflfphlphfflghgh

Yea, a book club!!!!!!!!!!!

Over the years I have both been a member and hosted many book discussion groups. Occupational hazard. Anyway, there are a number of ways to organize them. I have done the following:

Everyone in the group reads the same book and comes together to discuss it, usually with the help of some discussion questions passed out beforehand. Each member gets to choose a book in turn so there isn't one person imposing their personal tastes on the entire group.

Each person takes a turn booktalking a book that the others may not necessarily have read, with the intention of whetting their interest in either the book or author.

Author groups where an entire body of work is discussed over a period of several meetings. This is tricky because it eliminates all but hardcore fans of the particular author. I have done this twice with fairly good success, however. Years ago with Agatha Christie novels and about 4 years ago with Tolkien.

Genre groups. Again this eliminates lots of people, but it gains some enthusiastic long term members. I've done both mystery and scifi/fantasy book clubs. I have a woman nagging me to start another mystery club right now.


Book and a movie groups. Read only books that have been made into movies then discuss the differences in the two and why the book is always better. I'm setting up a teen book and movie club for this winter. I've secured an umbrella license making it legal for me to show films at the library. We'll watch the movies, eat popcorn, and then discuss them.

I like the idea of a first sort of group?

What do the others think?

I agree, Z. That is my favorite sort. It results in a greater variety of books.

Oops. Must pay attention to who I'm talking to. My apologies Woolly. But I imagine Z would agree as well.

mmmgngngnhhhphphphffpffpfhhgn

*the beanbag emerges from under the mammoth*

Yes. I'd like that, with extra votes for books I've already read.

I've never been involved in a book club before. The ones out here are full of stuffy old ladies. I would be interested in joining in with you all. Just don't expect any highly intelligent interpretations from me. I read strictly for pleasure!

Ah, not like my real life book club, we meet in pubs discuss the book, and then end up in a nightclub. I have regularly ended up, er, vomiting. Always at home afterwards. And it's a bit embarrassing telling your colleagues you've got a hangover because of a bookgroup.

I think Z would agree as well.

My RL bookclub always serves food. Usually something fattening. So if anyone throws up afterward if would be from the sugar.