Book groups?

Unfledged thought...would it be possible, do you think, to do a participatory murder mystery here, on a2k?

I like the idea of sharing the books we like, without all having to read the same book.

Are we talking about a virtual train trip, or an actual one? I'm feeling a little dense--as is often the case in the cyber world...

One of the possibilities for local groups are the ones based in book shops. There are a few in Seattle, but none in my immediate neighborhood. These have certain advantages, I would imagine: Little book stores are cosy; the stores sell the books at a discount; there's no issues of not showing up at someone's house and thus being rude. Has anyone been in one of these groups?

I think that the format that works best on AK2 is just a wide open general discussion of whatever books people happen to be reading. Most of us do not have even the miniscule discipline required to read the weekly short story in the New Yorker in order to enjoy a literary conversation. This is evidenced by the lack of interest in Sozobie's effort to launch such a discussion.

Also Dlowan's effort to do a book discussion group has met with general indifference. So why not just talk about what we are reading and enjoying. As far as I can see, this is just about the only format that fits this forum.

This is an attempt at realism.

Depending on my lottery ticket, D'art. If no luck, virtual. If lucky, heck, I'll buy Amtrak and give away tickees.

I've always liked moving over landscapes with a friend or two. With trains, you can do that but not have to drive, so you can read, talk, eat, snooze, pee. You can also get off and do stuff, stretch legs, see things. When my mother was growing up, she got to use the Frick (steel) private rail car. That way you could hitch on to any train, go anywhere you wanted. I think I'm permanently spoiled by that concept!

Sounds like your mother traveled in style, Tartarin! I envy her. Train travel definitely is my favorite way to go. It would be great if you could buy Amtrak; Bush et al clearly have little interest in owning it...

I agree with you, Hazlitt, re the discipline (or lack of it) we A2Kers have. Perhaps the book discussions we already partake of here are the best approach, at the end of the day. Everyone chimes in when he or she sees fit...

Participatory murder mystery!!! Yes!!! Excellent! We'd have to figure out the logistics, but it could be SO cool!

Virtual train trip, D'art. A murder mystery, Blatham? You mean along the lines of that participatory thing done a while back called, I believe, "Along Came a Stranger?" How would we do it? Somebody start, and each contribute a chapter? Could we? Could we do a political murder mystery? Now that's carrying the original question of a book group to other realms.

Organized book groups I don't think would work among us free spirits. Too much else to distract us or add to along the way. But - since most of us here are readers, period, the discussion of what we read and how we feel about it works, The spontaniety of it makes it fun.

Here's a book I just stumbled on which might be interesting for discussion on a train.... across Siberia?
http://able2know.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=195716#195716

Let's continue to post our thoughts about our reading on the "What are you reading Now" thread." That one has worked pretty well for some time. If we post enough of a thought about something we've read, others can at least comment on what is posted.

"Books All Across America" ~ The Amtrak Way
I am crazy for trains, I never want the trips to end.
Enjoy the unexpected stops.
I love to read.
Enjoy the unexpected turns in a story.

People have book crusises on boats.
Be chic and have a book cruise on a train.
Nothing deep.
Like trains, just ordinary folks reading ordinary books.

Leave the literature for the cocktail parties?

fatima10

bm

I run an internet book group/forum and am a member of many more. For some reason this appeals to me more than actual real life book groups - possibly because I enjoy having the time to think about the posts made by others and what they are saying. Having it on the interent also means you can always turn up and if something unexpected pops up one night, you can easily contribute the next day because it is not time specific.

During the summer I did, however, go the The British Library for discussions they were having as part of The Big Read, a BBC production to find the Nations Favourite book. This was most interesting and is just a pity it ended after 10 weeks.

For those who mentioned bookcrossing.com above, I 'released' my first book last week. It disappeared from the place I left it but no-one has written a journal entry. The book was David Copperfield though, so it may take them a while to read it

Mxx

The CBC has been doing "Canada Reads" for a few years now. I've really enjoyed it - it's really opened me up to some books that I would have never read otherwise. It's kind of neat to think that people all across the country are reading the same book at the same time.

I notice trends of 'favourite' books going to and from work and you see several people on the underground reading the same books.

Quite amusing when the latest Harry Potter came out and you saw the adults trying to hide the fact they are reading it, and children trying to find a comfortable position because of the weight of it

How do people find the books to read for their groups? Ours are done by first choosing a 'theme' and members nominating books based on this. Then we have a poll to see which one most people want to read.
I know some groups simply say 'we are reading this book next' which is a great way to get people to read books that they may not have thought to read previously.

Mxx