It has been suggested that we consider forming a BOL book club.

Some notes:

I would suggest such a club be started after the holidays with the following format:
1. A book is selected and posted.
2. 4 to 6 weeks is allowed to read the book.
3. The book is discussed.
Lather, rinse, repeat.

IF we move forward with this, we'll have to discuss what books are eligible for selection (fiction, a certain genre, exclusion of certain types, readily available in paperback or audio as opposed to hardback/wait list at library).

Additional topics for discussion will need to include who selects the books (1 moderator, a panel, members take turns) and who leads the discussion.

My vote is no political books. I usually read to escape the serious reading done at work so I am all for fiction. Who ever suggests the book should be the moderator.

I think this is a great idea

I think it should also be a book that it is availble in paperback. I'm too cheap to buy hardcover....!

It's a yes for me and I agree with all of the above comments!

Some of us like political books....maybe we could have more than one category going at the same time

This is a good idea. I love to read and really haven't had much time to get back into it since I had my son. This could be just what I need to get it going again.

I like the idea of "categories". Also, there are times of the year that may not work so not having to read all of them/participate would be nice. I do think, however, if we sign up to read it, we need to follow through and be prepared to discuss & share.

OR we can just offer a variety of books and if people want to sit a certain book out, they are welcome to do so. We're up to 18 potential members already, I bet we can make it work.

This sounds fun. I have always wanted to join a book club but finding time to read seems to be hard enough, let alone meeting with a group for a book club.

I think keeping pleasure and political seperate is a good idea. After the past few months with the elections and all the political threads it may be to "heated" to keep the club interesting and pleasurable.

Hey EGB - nice av...must be the junebug!

I agree that the discussions have been heated and sometimes nasty when it comes to politics. What if the political/non-fiction readings are done in the even months and the fiction are done in the odd months.

This way you can plan your reading for what you want to participate in and not feel guilty when you do not participate all the time.

Wow, this is getting more interest than I thought.

I think the hardest part will be the gap between those that enjoy Harry Potter and those who enjoy trashy romance novels, and those that only read comics!

That can be solved by putting a short list out there with a vote for which ones are wanted.

Thank you Snowqueen, that is indeed the Bug.

I think at the beginning maybe we'd want to try to keep to majority rules for the book selection, and if the majority wishes to not read political, then we shan't. But I'd hate to see us close the door on a book we might actually be interested in reading (thinking of say "Anonymous" that was out during the Clinton era, a lot of us probably read that. I know my book club at the time did.) just because it's classified as "political". But at the same time, I'm not thinking we're going to want to read Michael Moore or Al Franken or G Gordon Liddy. There's no sense just asking for trouble, you know?

Maybe as it's time for a new book the members could make suggestions and a poll taken for the winner.

And a lot of books are published in a soft cover format and include a book club section in the back, with discussion questions and author interviews.

I suggest we start out with a fast read, one that will keep everyone interested in the idea of the book club.

Let's get into the heavy stuff after we get our feet wet in clubbing...and the holidays are over.

So how about we choose a book now and have the holiday time to read it and start discussing after the first of the year?

I personally love biographies, history, science fiction, fantasy, mystery novels, religion, and politics. Can't stand romance novels, any book by Jackie Collins or similar genre. Kitty Kelly is out as well from my reading list. I should think a variety would be more fitting. Surely someone could choose something they were interested in.

Oprah always has a good selection for her book club.

I read for pure pleasure, not to expand my mind. It gets plenty of expansion reading for work purposes. I say let's try the book club and see how it goes.

I suggest the DiVinci Code....simply one of the best

I wouldn't mind reading Davinci Code either. Let's start a list of suggested titles and we can do a poll to select from some of those.

haven't read anything in a while but i really want to. something like this would motivate me to start.

can we start with 'hop on pop'?