It’s December, and that means it’s time for me to start looking ahead to 2010. I already have a long list of things I want to accomplish in the new year, and one of them is getting a book club going successfully.
Last year I started a group via Goodreads but it was remarkably hard to get people to discuss the books. I added a forum to this site but it was plagued with spam, so I had to shut it down. (No one was discussing there, either.) I think most of the people who signed up were interested in the idea of a book group, but just couldn’t remember to get on for the discussions.
I’m hoping for the group to be more successful in 2010, so if you have suggestions on running an online book group, please leave a comment.
Also, nominations are now open for the 2010 books!
Last year we chose Water for Elephants, Wonder Boys, The Robber Bride, The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles, Farthing, and The Graveyard Book. We went with all fiction, but I’m open to any genre. The two main concerns are that 1) the book is easy to find at a good price (i.e. it should be in paperback, or will be by the time we read it) and 2) it can be read within 6 weeks. We’ll be using the same time frames as last year, which means I need 6 books!
To suggest a book, leave a comment on this post or send me a tweet @stetted. Feel free to make a case for your choice, but that’s not necessary. Nominations will close December 10, and I’ll have the final choices up on December 15.
Bonus!
Everyone who suggests a book will be entered into a contest to win a copy of each book we’ll be reading in 2010! (If you decide you don’t want the books, I’ll make a donation to the Literacy Coalition of Central Texas instead.)
So, what do you want to read?
12 Responses to 2010 Reading Group Nominations
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I just finished Frag Box, by Richard A. Thompson. Loved it and not *just* because it took place in St. Paul.
I am eagerly awaiting some releases in 2010:
- Divine Misfortune by A. Lee Martinez
- Changeless, Gail Carriger’s sequel to Soulless
- Changes, by Jim Butcher
And now I am on my way to the library to pick up my hold copy of Susan Hubbard’s “The Society of S”
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I’m always hesitant to sign up for book clubs because I’m always afraid something will happen and I won’t be able to read the book or I will read the book and have nothing intelligent to contribute to the discussion!
That being said, I did have a suggestion, lol! I’ve been wanting to read My Sister’s Keeper before I see the movie, but seeing as how there is a movie, it might be difficult to get at a library and have to be bought.
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Megan Reply:
December 3rd, 2009 at 3:04 pm
@Heather, I don’t want anyone to feel they have to read EVERY book to join! I know I actually never completed The Robber Bride this year!
Thanks for the suggestion. I think the movie has been out of theaters long enough that the book will be easy to find – plus there are probably “movie editions” now, so even more copies floating around!
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I’ve never been a member of a bookclub… and I’ve always wanted to be. I’d love to join in on this fun!
Some of the best books ever (none of which are brand new, so I’m sure you or others involved have already read one or two of them):
– Life of Pi by Yann Martel
– Jesus Land by Julia Scheeres
– It Sucked and Then I Cried: How I Had a Baby, a Breakdown, and a Much Needed Margarita by Heather Armstrong
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I recommend Jhumpa Lahiri’s newest short story collection, Unaccustomed Earth. It’s beautifully written!
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I’m not in your group, but since I saw your tweet, here is a recommend. The Birth House by Ami McKay. Because she is my friend, I’m in the acknowledgments, and it has won some awards (so I’m not the only person who likes it).
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I loved “The Help” (and don’t think that was part of this past year’s book list …). It was one of the few books I was able to get through this year!
And I want to try book group again this coming year! Hopefully now that Milena naps in her crib I’ll have some spare “me” time!
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Either “Dirty Job” or “Lamb” by Christopher Moore. Funny, a little dirty, but with good themes to discuss.
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Jasie VanGesen Reply:
December 4th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
@Sean, I second the Lamb recommendation!! Great book!
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I don’t know how soon books are released in paperback after their hardback release, so this may be a pointless suggestion, but I really enjoyed “Juliet, Naked” by Nick Hornby.
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Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn. I have read this book over and over again.
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