How good it is to be among people who are reading.'
Anne Bogel
*
I'm so excited I can't stand it!
Our 5 week Online Fall Book Club begins THIS FRIDAY, October 18th! We're settling into our favorite chairs, books and highlighters and laptops in hand, as we dive into Anne Bogel's captivating I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life.

Anne is smart and fun and has an exquisite flair for writing. Over time, she has accumulated a vast knowledge of a number of genres and knows how to pull her reader in and get you excited about the reading life.
She chats about her life long love affair with books, the serendipity of living next door to the library, how books seem to find their perfect reader. She drops hints on organizing your shelves to suit you best ... and admits 'bookshelf envy.' She talks about her one day stint as a bookshop seller, and clarifies why it's not a great idea to be 'book bossy.' And along the way she drops the names of a number of titles that'll have you enlarging your own must-read list.
Here's how we do Book Club ➞
A post goes up 5 consecutive Fridays with two quotes from the book. We start at the beginning of the book and work our way through as the weeks go on. I put the passages on the table that have grabbed my attention or stolen my heart ... and then the conversation begins. You, my beloved bookish aficionados, take it from there with your viewpoints and insights and anecdotes.
The good news? You can drop by anytime to join the conversation ... kind of like an open house. Or you're welcome to find a quiet corner and simply listen in if you'd prefer.
Whatever works for you works for me.
Head to your local library for your copy ... or buy the hardcover here or the Kindle version there.
Check out previous Book Clubs ➞
Invitation to Solitude and Silence - Ruth Haley Barton
{February 2018}
The Listening Life - Adam McHugh
{April 2018}
Becoming Mrs. Lewis - Patti Callahan
{February 2019}
The Next Right Thing - Emily Freeman
{April 2019}
I can't wait for you to join the party ... especially if you're new around here. Please know that the welcome mat is out ... a peek at past Book Clubs will show you that our discussions are warmly substantial and jam-packed with both fun and wisdom.
Having you join us will be the icing on the cake! Be sure to bring your friends and fans. Email, Twitter, FB, and Pinterest share buttons are quietly available in the gray box below. Go ahead and subscribe right here so you won't miss a single gathering!
Please let me know you'll be joining us ... and I'll see you on Friday. We'll be looking at the first 3 chapters ~
Linda
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I normally like to read aloud. I point at every word with my finger and read it aloud; in the library, on the bus, on the train and so on. I have been told off many times. It was so embarrassing to be told off that I stopped. This Sunday my priest was upset with me. He asked me to do the readings in church and I approached the lectern and read silently. He wanted me to read aloud. I never win.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
TOO funny!
Delete;-)
Barb was warned on our first date;
ReplyDeleteit only took one look.
She became resigned to fate
when I brought a book.
I was reading Wouk when I proposed,
and Michener at rehearsal dinner.
Shakespeare on honeymoon imposed,
and Barb knew she'd picked a winner,
for she brought books, as a girl
to every family feast,
an though she was thought a churl,
she didn't mind that in the least.
Our conversations mark us sages:
the rustle of the fresh-turned pages.
Michener at the rehearsal dinner, huh?!!
DeleteI can see it right now, you sitting engrossed with an 800+ page tome while the party carries on all around you.
You've painted quite a picture today, friend ...
;-)
I'm so happy that I get to join in the fun this time, Linda! Can't wait to hear what everyone else thinks about it ... I, for one, loved the book and was sad to reach the last page. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you'll be here, too! We're all bookish types around here so the conversation is sure to be fascinating ...
DeleteLinda, what a fascinating-sounding book! I like how you described Ann as having a life-long love affair with books. I've often said that about my oldest son, who was fascinated by the book spines on our shelves as soon as he could crawl close enough to touch and study them.
ReplyDeleteReading, and a love for reading, is such a gift!
Oh I love the image you've painted of your eager little crawler heading toward the bookcase, Jeanne!
Delete* smile *
I'm always super excited when you pick a book that's in my library system!!!
ReplyDeleteI think you'll love it, Val! She's got some wonderful library stories in there...
Delete;-)
I've got my copy and am raring to go, Linda! Great to be linked with other book enthusiasts through this process. Can't wait to hear other folks' take on this book.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Yay! I'm glad you're in, Martha. So many people around here are huge book enthusiasts. I can't wait for the discussion to kick off!
DeleteYou always lay out the welcome mat here, Linda. :) I enjoy your book clubs. Even when I don't read the book, I learn a lot through the quotes you share and
ReplyDeleteThat makes me happy to know that the welcome mat is clearly visable, friend. It's always disappointing to visit someone's online home and feel unnoticed, like you don't quite belong.
DeleteThanks for your kind words this evening. You are such a sweetheart!
Oops! I don't know what happened, but I must have hit the wrong key and my comment sent off before it was finished. I was going further to say that even when I don't read the selected book, I learn so much from the quotes you share and the discussion. Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteBlessings right back to you and yours this evening. Sorry about the glitches.
Delete* sigh *
Love, love, love this. Can’t wait to see what jumped out at you
ReplyDeleteLikewise!
Delete;-)
I've been following Ann for years now, although don't always get to dive into her writing. Now that she's written a book, I can now do that! I'm going to link you up with my post this week to share the news!
ReplyDeleteOh good! So glad you'll be spreading the word, Lynn ...
Delete;-)
LOVE the idea of the online book club. What a perfect book to share together. I'm in!
ReplyDeleteOh yay!!!
Delete;-)
Linda, I would love to join this book read but I have five books on my top of my shelf just waiting to be started. I am almost done with one of the ones I picked up at our last conference about Compassion Fatigue. My bible study is Ephesian, and then a study at church plus my five ministry books for our ministry. Next one. But I will join in once in a while just to gleam wisdom.
ReplyDeleteHey Betty ... so good to hear from you. Yes, I hear you about the stack of books that await your attention! So, please feel free to drop in as you can. I'd love to hear your wisdom and the welcome mat is out.
DeleteBless you!