Welcome to Session #1 of our 5 Week Online Fall Book Club! Together we're beginning our journey through Anne Bogel's serendipitous little volume, I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life.
For 5 consecutive Fridays, I'll swing the door open wide for you to come right on in, make yourself at home with your coffee, your book, your laptop, and your highlighter. Trust me, there's a comfy seat with your name on it and lovely bookish kindred spirits to meet and greet. And based on our past Book Club conversations, I can't wait to chat back and forth with you as you put your wise and humorous insights, viewpoints, and anecdotes on the table.
Questions on how an online Book Club works? Click here.
Grab your very own hardcover {$9.23 at time of posting!}, the Kindle edition {$2.99 at time of posting!}, or zip on over to your local library to scoop up your copy there.
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'As a devoted reader, I lovingly give countless hours to finding the right books for me. I don't think those hours are wasted; part of the fun of reading is planning the reading. but I've learned that sometimes, despite my best efforts, a book unexpectedly finds me and not the other way around. And when it does, it's okay to reshuffle my To Be Read list and go with it.'
- Chapter 2, page 31*
'Sometimes a book prods you to grieve with its characters. You're immersed in the story, so much so that you feel what they're feeling. When a beloved character experiences loss - of someone they love, of a friendship, of their innocence - you feel their pain. When he grieves, you grieve with him. Sometimes you grieve the characters themselves; they die, you feel like you've lost a friend, and you weep.'
- Chapter 3, page 36
Let the dialogue begin ... with the quotes above or your own perspective on the first three chapters ~
Linda
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I can identify with both of these quotes. I never used to plan my reading. When I finished one book, I'd look at my stack and see what I was in the mood for next. But after starting a blog, I became aware of several reading challenges. I tried a few until I settled into the ones that worked best for me. I liked that they gave me focus, helped me to actually get to some of those "someday I should read that" books, and broadened my horizons. But I've learned to allow for some flexibility. I don't want to feel pressured and burdened by a reading challenge, and I want to leave space for those happy unexpected discoveries through the year.
ReplyDeleteAnd, yes, that empathy described in the second paragraph is one of the best parts of reading.
Happy discoveries. Yes! I love when a book is more than I imagined it would be.
DeleteWhat reading challenges have worked for you, Barbara? Do tell ...
Yes Barbara, what reading challenges?
DeleteGlad to oblige. :-) I wasn't exposed to many classics growing up, so I have purposefully sought them out as an adult. Karen at Books and Chocolate (https://karensbooksandchocolate.blogspot.com/) hosts a "Back to the Classics" challenge to read 6-12 classics in different categories. I also follow a couple of TBR challenges which seek to help us get to some of those books on our TBR (To Be Read) list. One requires readers to already own the books they plan to read (books that have been on your shelves or in your Kindle app for more than a year); the other one only requires that they are on a list. I did Anne's this year but probably won't next year. Then I do shorter ones like this one as they come up.
DeleteOh I love the idea of reading what's already on your shelves! Brilliant ... for lots of reasons!
DeleteGrinning because my copy is filled with circled book titles from Anne's anecdotes.
ReplyDeleteYou can't take me anywhere without my TBR list growing!
I love her line: "books move in mysterious ways," and know for a fact that my life has been changed by the words of authors that have soaked into my brain and my soul.
You grinning makes me grin, friend.
DeleteAnd yes, those TBR lists grow like mad. And when those requested books all come pouring in to the library at the same time?
Decision time. Will they give them to me for 3 weeks? Or will I have to settle for 2. Which one should I read first? What do I have to give up to focus solely on reading? Which ones do I think will be renewable?
* sigh *
What's a girl to do?
;-}
I can read now only that which strengthens resolve.
ReplyDeleteHere in cancer's prison,
there's now no other way.
The ghosts of dead men risen
must fight for me today.
Let them hear my fading call,
and hearken, from the grave
to a brother who has given all;
let them rise to save.
Let their swords shine bright anew,
and their rotted boots restored.
let their aim be hard and true,
an offering to the Lord.
I commit my soul to Elysian lands
and my courage to these roughest hands.
Andrew, you make me wonder what our lives would look like if we only read what would strengthen our souls ...
DeleteSounds like a great book and I will enjoy checking in. Sorry I cannot add the book or being a part of this one, my friend. Preparing for a workshop on Exodus I will attend and have 2 passages to prepare for the small group I will be a part of so will need to wait until another time.
ReplyDeleteChecking in is a very good thing, friend!
DeleteExodus will be a challenging, hefty study, I'm guessing. I hope you'll share your learnings afterwards.
Bless you in the process, Pam.
Uggggh, as a librarian I totally saw where she was coming from when people ask her about the books she's read, or hasn't read. I don't read the mass writers anymore because I'd rather have 1 good thought out book than books being pumped out every 40 days (Patterson!!). I get such looks when I say I don't read them and I feel embarrassed but I'm sticking to what works! I totally pick books by their covers. I don't spend enormous amounts of time searching for the right read. If it has food on the cover, I'm usually in for a sweet cozy read. It's awesome when you can relate to a character and you feel emotionally drained when it's over. That's a great read!!!
ReplyDeletePicking books by their covers! Fascinating. Now that you mention it, I knew for sure when I first laid eyes on this book's cover that we'd hit it off.
DeleteCozy, colorful, warm, inviting.
And this right here, Valerie --> 'If it has food on the cover, I'm usually in for a sweet cozy read.'
I'll definitely keep that in mind. Because sometimes nothing less will do ...
Being in a book club has broadened my reading list. I have read books I never would have touched if not a part of a club. I am all the wiser and enlightened because of what was expected of me to read. The discussions truly enhanced my understanding. When searching for a book myself, I stick with our great HV library system and choose mostly from eBooks. I love eBooks.
ReplyDeleteI thought I was the only one to get attached to characters. Thank you Anne for sharing this and Linda for pointing out this chapter. I find reading and even TV characters become “friends” I want to drop by to see how they are —- like what is Madam Secretary up to, having tea with Mrs. Lewis, what does the Queen think about that headline etc. I did have someone look at me at book club like I was looney when I shared this so I am glad there is someone like me. Maybe I need a life, huh? Re-reading Chap 3
Thanks Pal for touching on this feelings part of reading
I miss Book Club so much, Carol. I absolutely agree with what you said about it broadening our reading lives {immensely!} and becoming more enlightened not only by what I read but by the conversations that followed. It was one of those experiences that I look back on that formed who I am today.
DeleteAnd no, you're not looney! At least not more than the rest of us!
;-}
The book I cried the most while reading was ME BEFORE YOU. Gofigure
ReplyDeleteA tear jerker. For sure.
Delete;-{
I loved, and could identify with, both of the quotes featured here, Linda. It has been my experience that books have found me over the years, and those have always been the most pleasurable reads for me. As for connection with the characters? Oh, my! So many authors have brought me to tears with their characters and the situations. When Bogel described her fifth grade class' reaction to Where the Red Fern Grows, I was immediately swept back in time to the back seat of my parents' car where I was reading that book during a long road trip. I sobbed so hard at the end of it, my parents thought I'd lost my mind, but I didn't care. I cried my eyes out!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
I love this idea that books somehow find us. Especially at the right place, at the time we somehow need what their stories whisper to us.
DeleteSerendipitous, isn't it ...
I can especially identify with the second quote, Linda. I love books with deep, real-life characters that grow and triumph through struggles. I mourn and shed tears with them and rejoice with them. And I'm always eager to connect with them again in the next book of a series. :) Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteTrudy, you make a good point about the power of the promise of a next book in a superb series!
DeleteThe anticipation starts to build ... and as we share the book with others, we invite them to join us in the waiting room.
Love that!
I feel the same way as Valerie and Carol! Valerie mentioned picking a book by the cover. That's what I do most of the time. If it has a beach, a lighthouse or am english countryside - those books I read. Also, as Carol said, I have been in a book club for around 15 years and that has stretched my genre of books tremendously. We read many books that take place in other countries and I have enjoyed being immersed in other cultures and history. But I love a book where I feel like I am the main character and can relate to what they are going through. Stirs up alot of emotions!
ReplyDeleteAfter all these years, Marilyn, I had no idea you picked a book by the cover ... or that you like being the main character. Interesting!
Delete* mmm *
But the beach, the lighthouse, the English countryside ... yep, I'm with you.
xo
Happy reading, Linda.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Thank you, Victor!
DeleteLinda, it was so interesting to read the bits in Chapter 1 about what people thought their reading lives should look like vs. what they actually do look like. As far as I'm concerned, my "reading life" is no place for guilt, comparisons or keeping up with other people's opinions or expectations! Reading is a joy and a gift, and if what I read happens to evoke tears or other emotions, all the better. :-) (Books don't often bring me to tears, but when they do, it's usually non-fiction.) Hugs, friend!
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing like a real life story to bring us to tears. Fiction, yes. But knowing this person is a real life being has that capacity to bring those emotions home to us.
DeleteAnd yes, please, to guilt-free, comparison-free, keeping-up-with-other's-opinions-and-expectations-free reading life!
You said it well, Lois ...
I can't tell you the number of times a book has moved me to tears. Just this week I read Sarah Bessey's newsletter with tears streaming down my face. I think empathy is a characteristic of many readers. They go together. When I am immersed in a novel with characters I have invested in, it's easy for me to cry when one of them grieves.
ReplyDeleteEmpathy. Yes, Laurie. Empathetic people are my favorite kindred spirits.
DeleteI'm in the middle of Sarah's book right now. I'm fighting tears over what she's been through. If I start to cry, I might not stop.
It's one of those days, ya' know?
Some of my favorite books have left me sobbing, not because of a sad story. Rather, I'm crying because the book is over. There is a grief in letting amazing characters go at the end of a book!
ReplyDeleteOh I know what you're saying, Rebecca. You can't let go of the book, you can't get out of the chair. You just sit with what is true ...
DeleteI hear ya' ...
Linda,
ReplyDeleteThis book is next in my pile to read - thanks to you!! <3 Just finished up "Sensitive & Strong" which I highly recommend to my counselor friends. Great insights from Christian authors into the whole HSP psyche. Anyway, will dig into "I'd Rather Be REading" on my way to my 40th high school reunion with my hubby :)
Blessings,
Bev xx
40th reunion?
DeleteNah, you're far too young!
Have fun!
;-)
I can say I sometimes miss the characters when a book ends. And think about them for days, months. There are books I thought I didn't really like, yet the characters stay with me! Strange hey? But that is the fun of reading too. Expect the unexpected....
ReplyDeleteI love what you're saying about expecting the unexpected, Lynn.
DeleteAnd then embracing it, running with it, learning from its whispers and shouts.
The problem is there are just too many good books! I do try to plan my reading, but then I discover new books that seem just right. This has definitely got worse since I got a Kindle and there are so many time-limited deals, and signing up to review books doesn't help either. Sometimes I think I need to just stop looking at any book recommendations and focus on getting through the books I already have, which are mostly ones I genuinely want to read!
ReplyDeleteYour last line makes so much sense, Lesley.
DeleteIt's so hard not to take a peek at what others are reading and get all excited when we spy something that looks tailor made for us.
So many books. So little time.
* sigh *