Book Clubs

[Dori]

Thanks,  gonna read my sample today.

[Betsy the Quilter]

If you're interested in the Book Klub books and don't have them yet, here are the two that we have firm Klubs for (K denoting the book must be on Kindle):

[ScrappingForever]

Yep, gonna do both of these!

Are you sure we have to wait until January to start? Sigh....call me Ms. Impatience.

[Betsy the Quilter]

I went to Amazon to look for Outlander and there are several different ones.  I downloaded a sample that I think I got from this board.  I have mentioned before that I have not been a reader in the past and have not heard of this book.  If I enjoy it though I want to join in the book club discussions.

The sample I am looking at today is Diana Galbadon one.

Thanks for bringing this up Dori, it underlines a point Gertie made earlier.  The book club book is simply "Outlander" by Diana Galbadon.  No "The" in front, no other words.  There are others, don't be confused!

Betsy

[Betsy the Quilter]

OK, I've set up a poll, stickied to the top of the Book Corner, with books that have been suggested in addition to the Book Clubs or Klubs we've already decided on.

The two we have so far are:
Outlander, beginning January 5 (Mondays) led by Gertie
Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse), beginning Jan 21 (Wednesdays) led by Robin

See the poll for the other suggestions, I'd like discussion of them to be part of that thread.

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

Are there any other books people would like to read?

 

I voted in the poll and posted my comment.

I'm also going to post my guidelines for book clubs for comments.

Betsy

I was going to suggest that the discussion questions are a starting point.  After answering the questions, Klubbers should feel free to bring up other points they want to discuss as long as they fall within the chapters we have already read. 

[Betsy the Quilter]

 

I voted in the poll and posted my comment.

I was going to suggest that the discussion questions are a starting point.  After answering the questions, Klubbers should feel free to bring up other points they want to discuss as long as they fall within the chapters we have already read. 

Exactly.  And as you said in your poll comment, people don't have to agree.  I look forward to rollicking yet respectful discussions.  And killing the leader with a stick is not permitted.

Betsy

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

Another suggestion.  I sent you the Outlander questions we're going to be using.  It might be a good idea to do that with all the Klubs so if, e.g., I do get killed with a stick, or my computer gives up the ghost, you'll be able to post the questions that week. 

[Betsy the Quilter]

Yes, I'm going to put that in the guidelines.  Also, that way I can sort of make sure that we're ready, so that each book klub is a good experience for our members.  Working on the guidelines now.  Will post them for comment later today (I actually have some non Kindleboard stuff to do...)

Betsy

[bosslady402]

You should include in the guidelines that eveyone should purchase the Klub books through a Kindleboards link, so that Harvey can collect the brownie points (dollars? not sure how it works).

I just bought Outlander through the links in this thread.

[Betsy the Quilter]

You should include in the guidelines that eveyone should purchase the Klub books through a Kindleboards link, so that Harvey can collect the brownie points (dollars? not sure how it works).

I just bought Outlander through the links in this thread.

Great, that's why I posted them again!  Good idea!

Betsy

[Ginny]

I can't wait to start.  I have already purchased Outlander and Dead Until Dark.  This will be so much fun.

[Kimblee]

I'm in for both of these. Now I just have to not buy/read them till Jan!

[Betsy the Quilter]

I promised Book Club guidelines/FAQ.  Sorry these are long, tried to cover everything.  In reality, I think most of this will come kind of naturally.  Tried to include most questions and comments I've received so far.

Comments?

Book Club Guidelines
   
Requests for Book Clubs will be posted in the Book Corner and will be started based on member interest and approval of the moderator.  This is to help ensure a consistent Book Club experience for our members and to ensure that each Club has a leader, a plan and a set of questions to work from. General fan threads for books and authors are welcome at any time, of course, and do not need to go through the Moderator.

Book Club announcements will include the name of the book, the meeting day, and a spoiler warning.

Links for purchasing the books will be posted in the Book Club announcement to aid members in finding and buying the right books.  These links will include the Kindleboards affiliate codes so that Kindleboards will get a small percentage to help offset the cost of running the board.

Each Book Club will have a volunteer leader.  The leader of the book club will be the “moderator” for that thread with the assistance of the Kindleboards Moderators.  This will involve developing the questions to be asked and keeping the discussion on topic.  The Kindleboards Moderators will assist in calming dustups that may occur.  See Book Club Decorum for more information about dustups…. 
   
The leader will supply a list of questions to be discussed.  If the leader needs assistance with the questions, the moderator and the other Book Club members will help!  A set of generic questions will be available to all Book Club leaders.
   
Book Clubs will typically last 6-8 weeks so the book will be divided into reading portions to cover that period.  For example, a book with 40 chapters will be read 5 chapters a week. The Book Club leader may change the schedule if needed.  Some book schedules may be based on locations.

Each Book Club will have a set day of the week that chapters/locations must be read by and for discussion to begin. This day will be posted on the calendar.

Chapters (or locations) will be assigned each week to be discussed the following week.  Discussion of that portion of the book will last a week.
      
Members may join a Book Club already in progress and catch up with the reading.  We request that they only post regarding material covered after they join so as to not derail the discussion going on.  The same for members who fall behind:  catch up with the reading and then rejoin the discussions. 

Discussion of the book in the thread may certainly continue after the book club ends; this may be the time to post those questions that you didn’t get the chance to ask earlier without derailing the discussion!
   
Book Club Decorum

Book Club leaders may not be killed with a stick.  (Also known as the Robin Rule.)

People will undoubtedly have strong feelings both for and against the book being read and on thoughts being expressed.  Respond to posts as if you were in the room with the person, but also realize that they cannot read your expression.  Use your words, people, and your emoticons too.   In rare occasions, posts that do not comply may be edited or removed at the leader & moderator’s discretion.

Personal attacks will not be allowed—they are against Forum Decorum.  Name calling falls into that category.  Real world examples of what is NOT appropriate:
•   You are being melodramatic.
•   You are intolerant.
•   This post of yours is rubbish.
•   That is elitist nonsense
•   That is extremely silly
Try to address the issues, not the individual.  Use “I don’t agree with [what you said]” not “you are [adjective]”.  People automatically get defensive and respond in kind, often raising the ante.  We want this to be a positive experience for EVERYONE involved.

Enough rules and regulations, let's have fun!

Betsy

[Anne]

What a great idea A Book Club

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

Well done, Betsy.  But where's the rule about not killing the leader with a stick?   

[Betsy the Quilter]

Thanks, Gertie, I forgot!  Will rectify.   

[ScrappingForever]

Great job, Betsy! You're really good at this moderator stuff!

[Betsy the Quilter]

Great job, Betsy! You're really good at this moderator stuff!

So far, the Book Club people have made it pretty easy.  I've only had to throw a couple of yellow cards and put on one of my moderator hats a couple of times.

Betsy

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

So far, the Book Club people have made it pretty easy.  I've only had to throw a couple of yellow cards and put on one of my moderator hats a couple of times.

Betsy

We just do that cuz we know you like to wear the hats. 

[Leslie]

I just had another idea about book clubs: we have two authors here (Mike Hicks and Jeff Hepple). What if their books got book clubbed? Then the authors could participate. I also am on a mailing list with authors of many of the books I have been reading lately. I am sure if we wanted to pick one of those and invited the author to participate, s/he'd be thrilled.

Just a thought.

L

[Betsy the Quilter]

I just had another idea about book clubs: we have two authors here (Mike Hicks and Jeff Hepple). What if their books got book clubbed? Then the authors could participate. I also am on a mailing list with authors of many of the books I have been reading lately. I am sure if we wanted to pick one of those and invited the author to participate, s/he'd be thrilled.

Just a thought.

L

Would love to have them book clubbed!  Mike?  Jeff?

Betsy

[ScrappingForever]

Mike says sure! (He worked an 11.5 hour day today, so he's pretty beat.) He says "I've never done that before. Just tell me what to do and I'll do it."

His book would make a great book club read, I think, but there aren't any study questions to go with it.

[Gertie Kindle 'a/k/a Margaret Lake']

I just had another idea about book clubs: we have two authors here (Mike Hicks and Jeff Hepple). What if their books got book clubbed? Then the authors could participate. I also am on a mailing list with authors of many of the books I have been reading lately. I am sure if we wanted to pick one of those and invited the author to participate, s/he'd be thrilled.

Just a thought.

L

What a scathingly brilliant idea.  What better feedback could we get than from the authors themselves. 

[Dori]

Looking for the link to Outlander.  Got to the end of the sample and not sure if I clicked from my Kindle if this board would get credit.   I thot the two book club books were stickied at top of this thread but cannot find them.