Reading Group Invite

[VultureLvr45]

Hi Guys,

I received an invitation from an aquaintance to join her reading and discussion group. Really have mixed feelings about it and my mind has been volleying pros and cons for the past week.

Guess I should feel flattered, but am anxious because:
a. This lady sells stuff, money has been really tight, and she will probably try to nudge a sale.

b. All the members of this group take turns hosting the club at their homes. My house is nice, but not great for entertaining. If I wanted to throw a party, I'd invite my friends and neighbors.

c. 'Girly Lit'...I'm worried they will be reading stuff that doesn't appeal to me. SK is my favorite author and I haven't read all of his yet. If they would like to read one of his, then it would be more appealing.

d. My 'gut' says yuck. I envision a bunch of women judging the dirty car I arrive in, my hippy type clothes, and wild hair and cringe. Yet, I like the idea of reading a book together and discussing it.

So, what do You think?

 

[king family fan]

You could maybe explain to your friend,that you would like to check it out and then make a decision. Go afew times and see what it like.

 

[Christine62]

All your indicators say no. You really don't like the woman, you don't like the chic lit, you don't like the other women but you like the idea of reading a book together. I would say no and let's start a book club on here and have chapters assigned and have a live discussion. At least you like the people, you love the books and we can all bring imaginary dishes...I'll bring pierogis with potatoes and onions. Gosh we could really do the book thing....isn 't there a google group room or skype thingy we could figure out?

 

[VultureLvr45]

All your indicators say no. You really don't like the woman, you don't like the chic lit, you don't like the other women but you like the idea of reading a book together. I would say no and let's start a book club on here and have chapters assigned and have a live discussion. At least you like the people, you love the books and we can all bring imaginary dishes...I'll bring pierogis with potatoes and onions. Gosh we could really do the book thing....isn 't there a google group room or skype thingy we could figure out?

That sounds like a great idea. Pierogis are yummy...need some kielbassi too. 8)

 

[Christine62]

google hangouts

 

[VultureLvr45]

You could maybe explain to your friend,that you would like to check it out and then make a decision. Go afew times and see what it like.

I like your idea too. I used to be really outgoing, but am more nervous in this area with all of the 'country club type' (I'm not) 8)

 

[blunthead]

Hi Guys,

I received an invitation from an aquaintance to join her reading and discussion group. Really have mixed feelings about it and my mind has been volleying pros and cons for the past week.

Guess I should feel flattered, but am anxious because:
a. This lady sells stuff, money has been really tight, and she will probably try to nudge a sale.

b. All the members of this group take turns hosting the club at their homes. My house is nice, but not great for entertaining. If I wanted to throw a party, I'd invite my friends and neighbors.

c. 'Girly Lit'...I'm worried they will be reading stuff that doesn't appeal to me. SK is my favorite author and I haven't read all of his yet. If they would like to read one of his, then it would be more appealing.

d. My 'gut' says yuck. I envision a bunch of women judging the dirty car I arrive in, my hippy type clothes, and wild hair and cringe. Yet, I like the idea of reading a book together and discussing it.

So, what do You think?

I say decline due to your dislike of the idea of hosting. Everyone understands this as a legitimate reason, not an excuse. You don't have to mention any other reasons, though all are equally legitimate, imho. I sense that you feel you don't belong in that group. Maybe you can start such a group here.

 

[VultureLvr45]

google hangouts

Bet we would have quite a few who would be interested...good job, you are on the ball C!

 

[Christine62]

Bet we would have quite a few who would be interested...good job, you are on the ball C!

I think it would be awesome~!

 

[VultureLvr45]

I think it would be awesome~!

Me too...Lets do it. What King Family book are you reading now? I`m on page 56 of The Dark Half. First time reading it. Also Margaret Atwoods Negotiating with the Dead (A Writer on Writing).

 

[Christine62]

Me too...Lets do it. What King Family book are you reading now? I`m on page 56 of The Dark Half. First time reading it. Also Margaret Atwoods Negotiating with the Dead (A Writer on Writing).

I am on chapter 4 of Bag of Bones.

 

[VultureLvr45]

I am on chapter 4 of Bag of Bones.

Are you planning on writing with the group for the Halloween story this year? If you haven't talked with Lily Sawyer, you should pm her. It will be fun.

 

[Dana Jean]

I sort of have that problem in my area. There are book groups, but most of them are The Twilight junkies or very very religious, so nothing at all satisfying as far as I'm concerned. I have read and enjoyed books from all genres, but I would hate to be limited to one, and I would despise recommending a Stephen King book and getting "the look." Or recommending Infidel and getting "the look." Etc...etc...etc.... and right down the line. The book clubs that I have the opportunity to join are very much limited to certain genres and they absolutely don't want to try anything new.

My idea of the perfect book group would be ALL genres. Make me read a Zane Grey. Make me read Barbara Cartland. Make me read "Fly Tying Made Easy."

That's how you grow and learn.

 

[Grandpa]

I've been to a few writers' groups. Some people find them helpful and of value. The ones I went to were dreadful. I was the only one who felt that way. They were chattering away, and my head was full of WTF. Weirdly enough, they liked my input and asked me to come back. I considered it a personal success of understated diplomacy and never went back.

My 'gut' says yuck.

Trust your gut.

 

[VultureLvr45]

I sort of have that problem in my area. There are book groups, but most of them are The Twilight junkies or very very religious, so nothing at all satisfying as far as I'm concerned. I have read and enjoyed books from all genres, but I would hate to be limited to one, and I would despise recommending a Stephen King book and getting "the look." Or recommending Infidel and getting "the look." Etc...etc...etc.... and right down the line. The book clubs that I have the opportunity to join are very much limited to certain genres and they absolutely don't want to try anything new.

My idea of the perfect book group would be ALL genres. Make me read a Zane Grey. Make me read Barbara Cartland. Make me read "Fly Tying Made Easy."

That's how you grow and learn.

You've expressed all of the reasons I should join. I am willing to read different genres, non-fiction, biographies, and science, but have little patience with 'fluffy stuff'. Growth is necessary for life... hmmm... more food for thought.

 

[VultureLvr45]

I've been to a few writers' groups. Some people find them helpful and of value. The ones I went to were dreadful. I was the only one who felt that way. They were chattering away, and my head was full of WTF. Weirdly enough, they liked my input and asked me to come back. I considered it a personal success of understated diplomacy and never went back.



Trust your gut.

I do trust my gut, Pops. This is why the back and forth volley of yes and no.

 

[GNTLGNT]

...skip the Snobfest...

 

[Christine62]

How to proceed with this SK reading group idea? I have never been in a reading discussion but once and it was pretty strict you only could talk about what was in the universe of the book not about the larger issues that the book brought out (which I thought was stupid). I will do a little more research on this.

 

[VultureLvr45]

How to proceed with this SK reading group idea? I have never been in a reading discussion but once and it was pretty strict you only could talk about what was in the universe of the book not about the larger issues that the book brought out (which I thought was stupid). I will do a little more research on this.

Christine62, and anyone else that would like to join in a reading group, let`s start one. As I am leaving tomorrow for three nights at a friends home at the beach with son and neice in tow, may I suggest our first book be [Skeleton Crew, Needful Things, Green Mile, Dreamcarcher, Insomnia or Duma Key] as these are ones I have on hand and haven`t read. I am part way through The Dark Half, although if someone wanted to read a different series of short stories

 

[VultureLvr45]

Oops, somehow goofed with the quotes, if someone wanted to read a Bachman compilation, or Nightmare and Dreamscapes, or Four Past Midnight, I could take one of those and re-read.

Please get back tonight or tomorrow am as we leave around Noon. I suggested a book of short stories because for the first time or two, we could read one story as assignment to discuss. I'm game.