Not My Book Club
Not Enough Excitement
I just think this photo is adorable – From Richard Hertzler/Lancaster New Era
Before we moved to the country and learned how to adjust to gravel roads, fallen trees, wandering cows and even strolling bears, my husband, Bill, and I both worked in the big city. There was little time to join a book group as we led our humdrum lives working and raising a rambunctious son. But, soon after retiring and moving to a little country paradise in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia I became a member of The Blue Ridge Readers! Talk about excitement! Wow!
O.k. – Borrrring right? I mean all you young whippersnappers out there in the blogusfear may not even read books anymore. But don’t stop reading please. If you are craving adventure and excitement, joining a book club may be just the ticket – and not just from devouring Whodunnits. “There’s more to a book club than a book”, and that’s my own direct quote. And if you want to inject new life into your own group, here are some secrets.
How to Super Charge or Re-charge Your Book Group
1) Add A Holiday Bash! Whoooohooooo!
The Blue Ridge Readers share more than good reading! Guess what? We have refreshments once a year for one whole hour and no book discussion! It’s our Holiday Get-Together – a grand somewhat understated December bash party at a local restaurant! We order our individual beverages of choice plus a varied selection of appetizers and then everybody splits the bill and splits the snacks too. There’s a whole lot of wild goin’s on and camaraderie in one little afternoon hour. Now that’s living dangerously don’t you agree? Well, it’s more exciting than a tea partyanyway.
No! No! don’t leave this blog post yet! You will miss the real thrills!
2) Create Your Own Website Be still my heart!
If you want REAL excitement, your blood to boil faster and your hair to stand on end, be sure to check out The Blue Ridge Readers website. Even if you aren’t a member of our club, you may want to create a website of your own. There are so many book suggestions on the Blue Ridge Readers’ site, we often think we have won the lottery!
3) Have a Private Book Sale And just try to stay calm!
Yes, sometimes we have private book sales! Whoa! Sit down for this one. Occasional sales are how we clear our at-home shelves of extra books to make room for more extras. On Buck-A-Book Day we sell books to each other for $1 each. Proceeds are donated to our local library. Unsold books are also donated to the library. Accolades please! Benevolence may not sound particularly exciting, but believe me, you will get a real rush!
4) Work with “Friends” We simply can’t wait!
Our club is now forming an alliance with Friends of the Library – a group of dedicated volunteers with an exciting program of author speakers and sponsored library book sales. The merger promises to be heart stopping. Do I hear laughter? Come on now, don’t you get a charge from increasing your reading options? We are really excited about working with this group and making them our friends too. Do you have a similar volunteer organization working for your library? Think about how they can supercharge your own book club or how you can work with them too to enhance the services of your local library and encourage more happy reading.
I do love my book club. And even though I joke about how exciting it is, well, it actually is. And since the group’s motto is to share good reading, if you are local and would like to join us, please do. It’s free and we have room for a few more real live members. If you are not local and would like to join our ONLINE BOOK CLUB just let me know by sending your email address. Online membership is also free and the expectation is that you too will find excitement and camaraderie even if you live clear across the world. Well, at least you will be privy to a few ideas for good reading.
Do you belong to a book club of your own? Let’s share our lists! How exciting can you get?
Related articles
- As an Author, Why I love Book Club (kellielarsenmurphy.com)
Virginia Views 
I think you’d be horrified if you were to see what goes down at my bookclub. We do have books and we do all enjoy reading but we have yet to discuss a book. I guess what we have is more of a wine and dinner club, with a box of books to scare the men off, so we can have a mighty good time 😀
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You’re so funny! A book club sounds like a good excuse to have fun with friends. I might have to start one!
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Dor, I think your ideas are great! My own book club also does a holiday event (with husbands/significant others) just to change it up a bit. There is a list of books on my site (under the book club page) you can feel free to share. I also checked out your book club site and saw you were reading A Reliable Wife. I saw the author speak recently which led me to his memoir, The End of the World as We Know It. Touching and disturbing. Let me know if you are ever interested in my novel for your group. I do enjoy speaking to readers and answering questions. Thanks for checking out my site – all my best to you!
Kellie
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What great suggestions! I should be ashamed that I do not belong to the local book club which is affiliated with the library. I will check out yours.
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This is so funny Susan! I wouldn’t mind belonging to a book club like yours though – may try to initiate a non-reading dinner club where we have to have a stack of books to deter men! 🙂
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Do it Lori! It’s a great diversion – a once a month getaway into other worlds. 🙂
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Love your site Kellie and as soon as I can, I will post the books you have read in your book club. I have ordered your novel and I’m following your blog. It is such a pleasure to meet you! Dor
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I think I replied to this arleady so if you get two, it’s WordPress’ fault. I said I think I will start a second book club where no books are read but we hae to bring in books to scare off the men. Love it! 🙂
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I think I replied to this one already too, but ah well. I said “Do it” Lori – start a book club or join one. It’s actually fun. 🙂
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Books, books, books, love ’em. I have often thought about joining a club. Maybe one of these days if and when I retire.
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Love this! I wish I belonged to your book club. It sounds like a lot of fun. 🙂
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That was AWESOME! I am so busy I must force myself to read! I hear since I am planning on going away for a 10 day silent retreat I need to read Eat Pray Love I have been doing so much so scattered hard to complete EVERYTHING one reason I am going to go away so it can settle me INSIDE
So did you read the book I am needing to read? Any good? I think I saw a year ago maybe a movie but I always prefer the books over them
Thanks
Eunice
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You will – I know it. 🙂
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A great idea – a retreat. I have never done that but it sounds wonderful. I did read Eat Pray Love for book club some time ago. It holds your interest and will be great pre-retreat reading. The movie was good too – and followed the book pretty closely. I will miss your blogging while you are away (or will you blog on retreat for excitement?).
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Books are awesome, but spending time with other people who love books is even more awesome :).
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“Wish you were here!” 🙂
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Bad wordpress but glad you like our version of bookclub as well. We do have immense fun and it’s better than any therapy session out there.
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It is said to be a SILENT retreat no phones, computers,sex,drugs or rock and roll 🙂
I guess it will be gut wrenching for me but I am stuck and need to move on fully to this new life I have found for myself with all of you in it.
They say a change will occur inside of me I just hope it helps me forgive and forget aspects of my life that are so filled with pain then I can really tell you some STORIES
I have not read it but will go to library to get the book then rent the movie after
I will miss you all more than I shall be missed 🙂
Thanks for letting me know the book and movie are worth my time.
It is a type of Buddhist retreat silent all but at lunch with 10+ hours of meditation a day for 10 days
It’s starts with a V I will talk about it as time gets closer I am new to all of it as I pray to God and he LISTENS 🙂
Eunice
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First, that photo is soooooooo CUTE! Second, I never knew book clubs could be so much fun. If only I read more than one book every six months, I’d join one. Pathetic, huh? The club’s website is great.
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I have never belonged to a book club and don’t know enough people in the area to join one, but I do love to read. In fact, I spend so much time reading sometimes, I can’t get my work done or catch up on my blog reading. I’ll take a look at your group’s website.
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I want to be in your book club! 🙂 I need the therapy.
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I know what you mean. Sometimes it’s hard for me to finish a book in a month since I get 2 pages read and fall asleep!
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Thanks Susan for checking out our book club web site. Wonder if we have the same taste in books too. 🙂
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I started up a book club several years ago in preparation for the empty nest I knew was coming. Those women are some of my closest friends now. Thanks for the ideas to add excitement. I especially liked the one about creating a website. Now here I go to check out yours. Thanks, Dor.
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Thanks for checking our book club website Lori. It was fun to do. And I’m so glad you found close friends when you formed your group. A great feeling to have sisters with like interests.
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Yes, we have a wonderful group. Sounds like you do, too.
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Dor,
Thanks so much for posting my list on your book club site. I love when clubs share book ideas – that is the ultimate book club!
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You are so welcome Kellie. I’m reading your book now too and enjoying it!
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