Our Autumn Book Club has been filled with serendipitous conversations, tucked in between posts on discovering your best creative rhythms and finding God in the midst of the crazy seasons and a winsome invitation to help take the stress out of holiday decorating.
Nothing heavy or ponderous or earth rattling these days. But hopefully there's been lots of good food for thought as we enter the holiday season. It's been a lovely ride, hasn't it?
I hope you find a delightful book or two to take you through the next month and a half. Here's a peek inside my bookbag. Stress relief, indeed.
'Til then, let's talk about our final quotes from Anne Bogel's I'd Rather Be Reading ⇨
'Reading is often viewed as a solitary act; that's one of the reasons I love it, and it's certainly my favorite escape and introvert coping strategy of choice. But reading is also a social act: readers love to connect over good books. If I read a book that legitimately changes my life (what a find!), or a book that becomes a new favorite, or even a breezy novel that's tons of fun, I can't wait to talk about it with my fellow readers.'
- Chapter 20, page 138
'We are readers. Books grace our shelves and fill our homes with beauty; they dwell in our minds and occupy our thoughts. Books prompt us to spend pleasant hours alone and connect us with fellow readers. They invite us to escape into their pages for an afternoon, and they inspire us to re-imagine our lives. Good reading journals provide glimpses of how we've spent our days, and they tell the story of our lives.'
- Chapter 21, page 145
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A bit weary of endlessly scrolling through my phone or paging through 4 month old magazines in waiting rooms has led me to at least try to remember to bring along a slim volume to page through while idling time away ... an easy reading, lightweight book tossed in my bag or stashed in the car. If you haven't grabbed your own personal copy of Anne Bogel's sweet I'd Rather Be Reading, I hope you'll do so.
It's that kind of cherished companion.
Your hardcover is here ... and for all you Kindle fans, your volume is right there. And yes, as an Amazon Associate I earn from your qualifying purchases when you click on these links.
Let's talk about how you keep track of what you read {here's what my reading journal looks like}, the serendipity of a kindred-spirited book club discussion, and the title of the book that you're carrying around this week.
Linda
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When I've read a truly riveting book, I can't wait to share it with others! This has been such a fun book club, Linda. Thanks for inviting us all to join in.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
You're so right, Martha, there's that great big desire to spread the word, to share our overflowing hearts!
DeleteI don't keep track of what I read,
ReplyDeletenor even what I write.
It's not a want, not a need...
or am I not too bright?
Should I keep a list of them,
the page'd friends I've cherished
to revisit for 'remember when'
before their memory's perished?
Or are they now a part of me,
indivisible from my soul,
a part of the complexity
that is my sum, my whole?
'Tis a tempting thing, but I'll resist,
for I'd likely lose the bloody list.
Absolutely, what we read / see / experience becomes a part of who we are.
DeleteMay we feast only on the best, healthiest, Christ-honoring food ...
“readers love to connect over good books.” This is truly why we are still 7 years or so into the book club you started. There is a core group of 5 that rarely miss a book club night. We are reading The Editor by Steven Rowling this month. This should provide some very diverse discussion.
ReplyDeleteI still think of the group often ... miss you guys ALOT!
DeleteOh forgot to add - the library and amazon thru kindle keep a record of all I read. I rarely buy a book but I have been using a spiral notebook lately to record title and notes. I do not know how many books read but maybe one day I will count
ReplyDeleteInteresting about the library, Carol. Most of my books come from their huge network. I'll have to check that out (no pun intended).
Delete* smile *
It's always enjoyable to meet together here over a good book, Linda. I used to keep tab on what books I read, but I don't anymore. I recently found out that our library system keeps a list online of what I read. I identify with Anne about reading being an escape, especially fiction. I find it great therapy to imagine myself in someone else's world, and I learn from their stories. :) Love and blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteYep, I'm with you, Trudy! Let's hear it for bibliotherapy and for learning from others' stories.
DeleteWe're all students, aren't we.
* smile *
That first quote resonated with me. I do love reading alone, but also discussing what I read with others. Unfortunately, no one in my family likes to read. so I am thankful for places online to chat about books! Like here!
ReplyDeleteI mainly just keep up with what I am reading on my blog. I sum up every end-of-month post and usually make a list at year's end. I try to do Goodreads, but then forget for large chunks of time.
I am almost finished with On Writing Well by William Zinsser and Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss. I'm very much enjoying Engaging the Scripture by Deborah Haddix. I just started Canteen Dreams by Cara Putman, about her grandparents' love story during WWII. Since that's on my Kindle, and the others remain in certain places, I guess that's the one I'm carrying around. :-)
Thanks for this club, Linda! It's been fun.
Yes, I absolutely hear you right here, Barbara --> 'I am thankful for places online to chat about books!'
DeleteMe, too. I miss my NY face-to-face book club and haven't found anything around here, so kicking off the online book club has helped satisfy that yearning to connect with other bookish companions over a favorite read.
Thanks for letting me know it's worked for you, too. That means so much to me!
I'm starting to think about the next selection ...
Hi Linda! Your Autumn Book Club sounds like a wonderful place of discussion and interaction! It is always wonderful to hear other's thoughts on a book read, and this book certainly looks very interesting! I hope to catch up on some reading this winter. Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteIt's so good to see you again, Marilyn! And yes, please to catching up on a great big stack of books this winter. What a heartwarming goal!
DeleteI only started keeping track of what I read this year. I do it on Goodreads and it's interesting to look back on. I always love talking about books with others - the only problem is I end up with far more recommendations than I ever have time to read! Thanks for hosting this book discussion. I've enjoyed reading people's thoughts.
ReplyDeleteYep, for sure, reading the insights of others is the absolute best part of these bookish conversations ...
DeleteI don't keep a list of what I read, so many times I pick up a book I have already read, but I don't remember it until I am a few chapters in! I have gone to a book club for years and I love to discuss the different things we like and dislike in a book. It is nice to hear other people's points of view.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that's happened more than once when all of a sudden you think, 'this sounds awful familiar!'
DeleteAnd sometimes you keep reading ... and sometimes you're done.
Although I have notebooks for many, many activities, I couldn't keep one for reading! Instead I use Goodreads. Books keep my mind active and alive in life! I'm so grateful for those like you that also have a love of reading.
ReplyDeleteI love talking books with you, friend ...
DeleteBlest be the ties that bind!
I really enjoyed 'I'd Rather be Reading.' It was such a fun short read! I also always bring a book or e-book when out, just in case I have to kill some time! I use Goodreads to keep track of all my books, otherwise I would definitely forget what I've already read!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to read instead of mindlessly surfing and game playing when I have those pockets of time, Cathy.
DeleteHaving a book right there is the only way for me to make better use of those spare moments.
I've enjoyed this series, Linda. I do love Anne's book! It's so fun to read and talk about books with others who love them as much as I do.
ReplyDeleteYou and I've done our fair share of comparing notes over the years, haven't we, Lisa. I love the 'iron sharpening iron' relationship we have developed and enjoyed over books and other important life necessities ...
Delete