Where is everyone anyway?

Alright... so several of us met last night and shared our opinions about what we think is and isn't working with Book Club. Although people still talk about book club and appear interested, attendance has been low. Could be a fluke, maybe life's just getting in the way. But if it's not, we want to know about it. If a lot of people are experiencing the same issue... let's fix it. But first, we've got to communicate.

So...... check out the poll questions over here ----------------->

A few things to note first:

• Genres - this is when we have a different genre of literature each month.
• Online voting - the method we've used the past year, with each person taking a turn recommending three books, then members vote for the winner.
• Committee Selected - the committee would select the books for each month, with recommendations coming in from everyone. This method was used the first year.
• Meals - it's been noted that sometimes our themes can make the potluck dinners difficult to plan for. We're going to ease this burden by simplifying the themes. It'll make it easier, more fun, and we still get to eat!
• RSVPing - Let's face it, we're not great at this. But we need to make a commitment to be better this year. We owe it to our hostesses.

Last night we all talked about some of our favorite books, past and present. And there was such a great selection, we thought it would be the perfect opportunity to make some selections for upcoming months. Not only will this give you a chance to experience the method of "committee selection", but it will give you more time to find good deals if you like to purchase your books. See the post below for book selections and themes for August through December!

You have through the end of July to answer the poll questions. And remember, if you need or want to elaborate on an answer, or maybe we just didn't address your issue, you can always post a comment right here on the blog!

Above all, we want to make this book club FUN for everyone!

August - December Book Selections!

August - We'd like to get together just for fun and hang out. The plan is to go see a movie then head over to the Neighborhood Pub to chat. The specific movie will be announced in an email as the date gets closer. You will not need to read anything... this is just for fun!


September -

The Icing on the Cupcake, by Jennifer Ross
Genre: Chick Lit

Summary:
When Ansley Waller's fiance Parish cancels their upcoming wedding, Ansley decides to leave Dallas to make a fresh start. In a surprise move, she heads to New York City to live with her recently widowed grandmother, Vivian, who gives Ansley an ultimatum: get a job or go home. Before long, she's opening up her own cupcake shop and even trying her hand at dating. But the ways of Manhattan's eligible bachelors are altogether different from their Southern counterparts, and worse, someone's got a half-baked scheme to sabotage Ansley's new life.

319 pgs, Paperback, Pub. date 4/10

This book is filled with cupcake recipes. To start the year off, we'll be having a cupcake party! If one of these recipes inspires you, bake it and bring it to our meeting. We'll have a great time sharing dessert and conversation.


October -


Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, by Jamie Ford
Genre: Historical Fiction

Summary:
Set in the ethnic neighborhoods of Seattle during World War II and Japanese American internment camps of the era, this debut novel tells the heartwarming story of widower Henry Lee, his father, and his first love Keiko Okabe.

320 pgs, Paperback, Pub. date 10/09

Dinner theme: Chinese/Japanese


November -


Same Kind of Different As Me, by Ron Hall & Denver Moore
Genre: Memoir

Summary:
A modern-day slave and an international art dealer are bound together by a dying woman's faith. Will Ron, the art dealer, be able to embrace Denver, who's been homeless for almost 20 years? Will Denver learn to trust a white man? There's pain and laughter, doubt and tears, and in the end a triumphant story.

256 pgs, Paperback, Pub. date 03/08

Dinner theme: It's soup night! What better for a cool, fall evening?


December -


On Strike for Christmas, by Sheila Roberts
Genre: Christmas

Summary:
At Christmastime, it seems as though a woman's work is never done. Trimming the tree, mailing the cards, schlepping to the mall, the endless wrapping - bah humbug! So this year, Joy and Laura and the rest of their knitting group decide to go on strike. If their husbands and families want a nice holiday - filled with parties, decorations, and presents - well, they'll just have to do it themselves. The boycott soon takes on a life of its own when a reporter picks up the story and more women join in. But as Christmas Day approaches, Joy, Laura, and their husbands confront larger issues in their marriages and discover that a little holiday magic is exactly what they need to come together.

352 pgs, Paperback, Pub. date 10/07

Dessert Night - Bring some Christmas cookies to share or pick up a yummy treat on your way over.