So, for those of you in book clubs... how do you find material? Do you just have each participant take a turn recommending a book and rotate around the group?

I'm in the RR book club. I just read what the other ones tell I'd like.

Well, I have a few friends who want to start one, and I'm all in, but one of them sent out a list of books to read... from Cosmo.

::runs away screaming::

I think I may regret this decision.

Eewwwwwww.

I know!!!

I guess I will be the one to infuse them with... ahem... darker themes.

But can you endure the rest? That sounds like torture to me...and girly, too! ICK.

I know some people that go to either Amazon.com or other book sites, pull up a specific category they're interested in (Fiction --> Mystery and Thriller --> Sci-Fi and Supernatural) then either pick the top rated book or browse reviews to pick one.

I'm in a mystery book-club. Since we've met long enough to know each other's likes and dislikes, we can set some bounds on the recommendations. If no one has an author or title they want to recommend, we'll pull up a list of "Edgar" winners and go from there.

I get to read a bunch of authors I might not otherwise have tried.

I don't know about other people's book clubs, but we seem to have much better discussions about books that no one liked.

REad 2 books this weekend from authors I'd not read before:
1.The Lost City by Roger Grubbs
2.Squeaky Clean Mysteries #1 "Hazardous Duty" by Christy Barritt.

I loved the premise behind the Grubbs book - the storyline, but not the way the story was told. Very chopped up feeling no good character development...Don't think I'll be reading more of his.

However, LOVED Hazardous Duty - will be getting the rest of the Squeaky Clean Mysteries series.... She always wanted to be a forensic scientist but had to drop out of college when her mom died so she became the person who comes and cleans your house once the police are done with their investigation after a crime...

I'd much prefer that over Cosmo's recommendations......

This could be tough for me. I am really picky with books, but I know I should give other genres a chance. This will definitely push my boundries...

I read what Mani tells me to read.

It makes life so much easier, doesn't it, MamaBear!

Or writes?

In my book group we pick books by everyone recommends at least two books that they have already read and recommend, then we put them all in a hat and draw them out. Booklist is a magazine that has great books in it. All of us are avid readers of varing subjects so we get a good variety. One of the gals wanted to write down who recommended the book in case she didn't like it. (we vetoed that) The best part about book group is the opportunity to read books I would not normally pick out. The other is the discussion, I get so much more from a book disussing other peoples views of the same written word. So subjective....I Keep a separate list in my Kindle for recommended reading and put books into that throughout the year.

Yup

My brother named his last four dogs Otto. Gender didn't matter. His latest came with a name so he didn't have a choice.

I return you to the original thread now.

Looks like we may get 2-3 more women to join, which means variety will increase. WHEW. The extra person I'd like to invite reads some of the same stuff I do, so I'll have at least one ally. But really, different genres will be good for me (deep breaths, deep breaths), so having 7-8 participants should keep things interesting.

The only challenge will be that we are sorta spread out (as in, multiple states and time zones)... so I'm thinking maybe a google group or closed fb page? Do any of you have long-distance book clubs?

I've done one. We did a Yahoo group at the time, but I think a closed FB page would be a good way to go.

RE: How to choose books - Our group took turns selecting. We tried to pick books that had been out for a little while so nobody had to pay full price or have difficulties getting on the wait list at the library. We also had a rule that you could only 'skip' one book per year - seems like there's always at least one person who can't manage to read any of the books.

Good idea, EGB, about picking books that aren't brand new so availability will be better. I should make sure my library card is still "active" as well!

Currently reading "David and Goliath: Underdogs, misfits and the art of battling giants" by Malcolm Gladwell. Interesting so far..

I just re-read 50 Shades of Bacon last night. Thx, MonkEE!!

Daniels' Running Formula by Jack Daniels
Stretching Your Boundaries by Al Kavadlo
The latest Bourne book by Eric Van Lustbader, yuck.

Daniels' Running Formula by Jack Daniels

Initially I though that was by the other Jack Daniels

Too much right now...

Silhouette in Scarlet AND Night Train to Memphis by Elizabeth Peters (2 different devices)
Ears of Steel
Unofficial Guide to WDW with Kids
River of Shadows

and listening to Prodigy, the 2nd book in Marie Lu's trilogy.

Twice a Spy - don't recall the author