A little while ago, I did my first book group in Indiana (Carmel, to be exact). A lovely lady emailed "I chose this book for our club and you know the pressure that brings." Oh, indeed I do! She continued she then noticed, "you love calling into book clubs," (indeed I do, as well), and we arranged the "meeting." Although I cannot verify, Lori assured me that one of the martinis from the book would be served. Judging by the laughter on the other end of the line, I tend to believe her.
Lori says, "I'm the short one." Ah, yes. I can relate.
It's so interesting to me that every book club I "visit" has different questions and we get into different discussions. Why is this surprising? Well, every radio interview (at least those of the standard 10-15 minute length) I do is basically the same. Same questions, same answers. No wonder I can (and, for the EST am drive shows do), do them in my sleep. (No matter what time they are - I do them in my Royal PJs, of course. Right now, my favs are pink flannels with black poodles on them. OK, OK. I'm as predictable as those radio shows.) I can always tell if the host has actually read the book, because then, even for the afternoon drive shows, I get the question, "Are you in your PJs right now?"
In any event, one of the things this book group and I discussed were other books we'd read. I shall trust the gals not to divulge which ones I didn't care for (ah, Lori, I do hope I spared you that embarrassment), but I did recommend a few they might not have heard of that I've recently read: Susan Breen's THE FICTION CLASS and Kristy Kiernan's, CATCHING GENIUS and MATTERS OF FAITH. All three would make wonderful discussion books, and indeed, I hope to blog about my own book group's thoughts about them once we return to Boulder.
And no, alas, I do not call in to my own book group to join the discussion while we're on the road. As you can imagine, I'm in a lazy book group - we always meet in restaurants. For all the gals that cook for each other - I tip my crown to you!
What are some of your favorite discussion books?
Comments (4)
Well, our book club is for the most part lazy as well. We did do the Hurlatini on the night we discussed Queen of the Road!(one of the few times I have consented to kick the hubby and the kids out of the house for bookclub)
Another great re-read I just did was Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men." He does an amazing job of packing the story into a short space.
kristy
Posted by kristy peacock | January 23, 2009 1:34 AM
Posted on January 23, 2009 01:34
That's a great idea! Sometimes, even when we enjoy a book, we don't seem to have much to dicuss about it. "Of Mice and Men" wouldn't present that problem.
Posted by Doreen | January 23, 2009 10:31 AM
Posted on January 23, 2009 10:31
I don't belong in a book group, but if I did, I would only belong in one that met in a restaurant. Cooking? Huh?
My book choices lie in giant piles next to my bed, waiting for me to finally read them, and evilly tripping me if I don't. I eagerly await my Kindle...
Posted by Robin Altman | January 24, 2009 12:55 PM
Posted on January 24, 2009 12:55
I'll be curious what you think of the Kindle. Call me old fashioned (or just old), but I like the feel of curling up with an actual book.
Posted by Doreen | January 24, 2009 1:02 PM
Posted on January 24, 2009 13:02