Club Read MESSAGE BOARD

I've been thinking about it, and I don't think I will be creating a Club Read group for 2011. If others wish to, they are welcome to do so.

My hope when I created the group in '09 was to provide an alternative to the numerical challenge groups and it worked for a while - it was different - but now, fundamentally, it is pretty much the same thing.

And it seems nearly all of you belong to the other groups anyway. I've had people here tell me during this year that they might have to leave this group because they weren't getting enough attention. Geesh. It used to be about the reading, now it's all about how many thumbs, I guess.

I suppose I'm just tired. Anyway, that's the scoop.

Funny, I was thinking of dropping my other threads and just doing ClubRead. My most interesting conversations are here.

Oh...sigh...

I don't even know what to say. This club has been my most rewarding web experience by far. I'll be so sad to see it go...or to see it continue without you leading us. And, where will I post next year?!

Avaland,

I don't think most users even realize how much time and energy and politics and maintaining the peace between such a wide spectrum of personalities it takes running a group as large and successful as your group ... that it can take a lot out of a person.

As an outsider, sometime Club Reader, I think your group is still significantly different than the numeric, goal oriented ones, in this: your members, generally speaking, I think it's safe and honest to say without sounding like too much of a snob, since it's the honest truth as I see it, are better read, better writers, better (and more witty and humorous) conversationalists, read better books rather than the standard mainstream fare be it contemporary or classic, dominating the numeric-centric groups, and are just more interesting and compelling reading, imo, fwiw.

If you're tired, I soooooo get that, and I empathize, but from my perspective, from mostly a distance, Club Read remains the creme de la creme among reader's groups in LT.

I just want to say that, whether my own posts have added to or detracted from the desired atmosphere -- and I have no idea which, if either, of those two it might be -- I've really enjoyed having a non-goal-oriented place to record and discuss my reading. Whether or not anyone responds, just taking the time to stop and think about what I want to say about a book after I've read it has been useful and rewarding for me. I certainly intend to keep doing it, whether here or elsewhere, but I have no idea where would be more appropriate. The challenge groups are fine, if you're looking for a challenge, but reading 75 or 100 books in a year is really not a challenge for me at all, nor do I feel in need of a push to read more books. But if anyone has suggestions for appropriate places to go if this group folds, I would be grateful to hear them. (I do belong to the Books Off the Shelf challenge group, but that's more of a support group for people looking to resist the lure of shiny new books long enough to read the dusty old ones than anything else. They don't encourage the posting of reviews.)

This may not be as high-traffic and full of chit-chat as some groups, but I have certainly enjoyed what conversations I've had here, and for me it's always been about the reading. My tastes, strange and eclectic as they are, may not always match up with anybody else's, but I do loooove the reading.

Although my LT input has dropped over the past few months as I get used to working full-time again, Club Read is the group that I'm most interested in and where I post my reading first before heading off to Girlybooks etc. It's where all the recommendations for my wishlist come from and I've enjoyed getting to know the people behind the usernames.

I understand that it's an additional call on your time what with Belletrista and eveyrthing else you get up to, but I'd be really sad to see Club Read go. Perhaps, if you definitely don't want to lead it next year, a small collective of us could agree to do it instead?

Avaland,

I just want to thank you for hosting this group. Being a slower reader then most I always felt out-of-place in the numerical challenge groups. I appreciated the no pressure atmosphere of ClubRead where I could share my thoughts on a particular book, as limited as they are. Anyway it will be sad to see it go, but I understand your feelings to do so.

Please don't panic! I'm not saying the group has to end, but perhaps someone else should create the next incarnation of it (not too difficult, mostly just a cut & paste).

Perhaps I have underestimated the number of people who are journaling here and no where else.

>2 Nickelini: it doesn't have to end, perhaps you are the "Shwazee" ("The Chosen One" in China Miéville's Un Lun Dun)

>3 dchaikin: I think you mistake leadership for maintenance. I believe in the maintenance of every group I create - a journaling/book logging group is pretty easy to maintain since everyone is posting new books read all the time. Activity attracts new blood...etc. And yes, I do like to set up potential conversations (which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't) and other threads that attempt to keep the circulation flowing and builds a little community spirit. But anyone can do that at any time.

>4 absurdeist: Maintaining peace? This year is tame compared with last year:-) Remember the YA conversation? (at least I think it was the YA conversation).

>5 bragan: Your comments about response and taking the time to stop to think about what you want to say about the book are similar to my own. Well said.

>6 charbutton: yeah, it might be that Belletrista has added a bit of a brain drain. I'm certainly up for supporting a Club Read 2011 - I have to put my thread somewhere, don't I? :-)

I have no idea what is involved in maintaining a group like this, but it seems to me that the Club Read threads have been mostly respectful and very supportive of each other. Not to say enlightening and interesting -- my reading has changed quite drastically because of Club Read and Reading Globally.

I don't do challenges, and I only occasionally seem to time my reads with monthly theme reads, so the freedom and eclecticism and camaraderie that Club Read offers is invaluable. It is, as Enrique, so eloquently states, the creme de la creme among reader's groups in LT.

I'm with char -- I think a small collective of us could handle whatever duties maintaining the group demands, and, you, avaland, could take a well-deserved rest.

Avaland, my niece and I love CR and keep a complete list of our reading here. I DO belong to several challenge groups, but this is where I keep the master list and reviews of everything I read, whether it fits in a category or not. Caitlin, my niece, doesn't do LT challenges or write reviews (she's 10) but she loves getting on my computer and adding and rating her books (we're tied at 85 for the year, but have no goal, just keeping track and, OK, I'll admit it, a having a bit of a rivalry).

Running a group can be exhausting and, if you're at the end of your rope, that's a good sign to end. Assuming someone will run the group in your place, will you stay on as a reader?

And, many thanks for the work you've put in for the rest of us!

I'm only journalling here on CR too. I have tried looking at the 50/75 but found they didn't suit me as there is a different speed to the threads and a focus on the numbers that doesn't work for me either.

As a lot of LT members are US based, I end up reading threads at out of step times so don't jumping in the flow of the conversations. I do lurk a lot though and I'm sure if you/ many others on CR take a look at my wishlist you'll find loads that are your "fault!" from suggestions/ debates on here. I've got loads out of being in this group.

So for that, my thanks and to the rest of the group, if CR stays in some incarnation next year, I'll be here still and very appreciative for it too.

Cheers

I agree with everything said so far. This is by far the most well read and friendly group for logging ones reading on LT. It's the support and interest of CR that has more than anything kept me going in my Dostoevsky studies for the last two years.

Thanks to avaland for creating the group, and running it so well. Let's give avaland a rest, and keep it going for next year. Pleeeeeeese.

I spend almost all my LT time and effort in just 2 groups:Le Salon and this group. They give me pretty much all I need in terms of online intellectual stimulation.

I would like to let add my appreciation of all your work to create and maintain the group.

Although I don't spend a lot of time in Club Read, having straddled the line between this group and a challenge group, I still find this group to have the most in-depth discussions of journalled books and would hate to see it end. I'm more of a lurker here on Club Read, but appreciate all of the thoughtful posts by its members.

Avaland, you've done a great job with this group. I do hope someone takes up your suggestion to pick up the reins and continue Club Read at least through 2011. Thanks for all you do for LT readers, both here in this group and elsewhere.

I am late, as always, but I agree with what everyone else is saying: for me, because this group is not heavy on chit-chat, and because there are readers here who are not in my numerical challenge group, and because I find the comments here generally more insightful, I would really miss Club Read.

Lois, you did it a fabulous job setting it up (as you have so many other groups) AND keeping it going (ditto), and I agree to help with getting and keeping it going in 2011!

My thanks also to avaland for this group's concept! I like its low-noise, no-hurry, "club room" feel. Would love to keep a similar thread next year.

>1 avaland:, Lois, I totally understand and respect your desire to not be in charge of yet another web project in the next year. However, I am curious about your comment that you feel like Club Read has lost its original appeal/distinctiveness/purpose - I don't really understand what you mean when you suggest that the group is now more like the numerical challenge groups than originally.

Like many others, this is actually the only LT group in which I am anything approaching an "active participant." My activity/reading level has definitely dropped off this year, but I still love checking in and being inspired by the books others are reading.

I would hope that the group continues in the future because there is a core group of readers and conversers (not a word, but you know what I mean) in this group that I love to stalk and it would be a lot more difficult if they all scattered to the challenge groups or wherever.

Thank you all for the compliments, but it really wasn't my intent when I posted to solicit them. I just wanted to make the announcement in plenty of time for someone to volunteer to carry on. However, it has been nice to read that the core intent of the original group remains and the difference between groups is palpable.

I admit to being in a bit of a funk when I posted, and thus the tired, Eeyore-ish tone. I regret that. And I do have a sort of love-hate relationship with the internet as probably everyone does. I'm trying to be more substantial in my life instead of less and the internet seems to want to do the opposite. I'm always trying to achieve a balance. And I suppose I'm more ambivalent about some of the newer LT additions, like the thumbing and hot reviews, because I don't like the way it makes me think about myself or my reading. Of course, I understand that others view these things quite differently.

I'm sure Club Read will continue just fine. And just as a matter of note, in case you are not aware or new to LT, anyone can start threads here on the topics of their choice at any time.

>17 fannyprice: apparently you were posting while I was composing. I agree about the enjoyment in stalking:-)

I'm sure I was articulating more fear than actuality as the comments posted above bear out.

I just wanted to echo what some others have said. This is the only reading log style group I participate in. The challenge groups have always felt too chit-chatty for my tastes. I'm hopeful that some of us will continue on in 2011.

Just amplifying the echo - Zeno and Murr have said it all for me (minus Dosteovsky).

I dropped 50 Challenge group gladly as soon as I was accepted into Club Read. There's no comparison.

If others help and it doesn't all fall on me, I will put my hand up for belonging to the collective that replaces avaland's management next year.

Avaland - Please note my first post (#3) was written in a state of something like surprise. Of course I'm completely comfortable with the group carrying-on with others of us organizing. And, of course, if this group is too much work, if you need a break, or whatever, you've earned it. But, just so you know I do think...no, scratch the "think" part, there is something special in having a group created by the type of person who can create belletrista. You personally bring a lot to the group that is unique to you and that has attracted an especially nice mix of members and developed a mindset rewarding to all of us here.

Regarding the thumbs. I like thumbs, but they are not my reason for posting. However, I like that my thread gets some traffic, and that a few people here and there actually read my posts. And I like getting comments or something tangible that let's me know they're being read and that motivates to continue to write them (something I didn't get in 2006-2007-2008 when I used write a review, post it and then hear absolutely nothing about it.) And so I do have concerns about the occasional quiet times here - just sayin'.

Anyway, moving forward, looking forward to see where this group takes us next year.

The two groups I participate the most in, Club Read and 75 Books, are very different; however, I enjoy both groups, and I wouldn't want to give up the friends I have in either one. So, I'll definitely participate in Club Read 2011, and I would be happy to do whatever I can to help keep it alive and well.

>22 dchaikin: (Aw, Dan, you make me blush). Well, I think everyone here likes to get some traffic on their threads, it's what makes sharing one's reading interesting. And I'm sure we all have difficulty getting around to all the individual threads we want to read.

I think rebeccanyc noted once that sometimes things get quiet when a member sets up their second thread of the year and it doesn't get picked up on the Talk lists on one's home page. Since I've never gotten used to the home page thing and don't navigate to messages through it, I can't speak directly to this.

------

Speaking of Belletrista, we are looking to accumulate a list of people interested in participating in one of our future "conversations", a new feature we introduced in this latest issue. Essentially, X number of people read the same book and have a discussion of it via email. The only qualification, I suppose, is to be a thoughtful reader. We plan to mix readers from various parts of the English-speaking world, young or older, different backgrounds or education, female or male to have these conversations. It doesn't pay but you get a free book out of it:-) (and 15 minutes of fame, ha ha) If you're interested send me an email at lois {at} belletrista.com. And since there are brains to pick here, I'll also take book suggestions for these exercises also, bearing in mind we are covering the world: 1. moderate in length 2. we probably would not do books which are already receiving great attention. 3. would lend themselves to an interesting discussion for one reason or another 4. of course, written by a woman.

Otherwise, if anyone is interested in writing article/s for Belle (which we do pay for), talk to me (see email above). Most of the pieces are journalistic ones or occasionaly lean a bit towards the academic, or are interviews or various forms of extended reviews.

Just finding this thread, and while I am an off-and-on participater on LT in general, I'll be around for whatever form Club Read takes on next year.

As for building conversation, I think our monthly "challenges" lately have been interesting to follow, and I would be up for a group read of some sort as well. Conversation is obviously easier when multiple posters read the same book.

General Question: Is there really any reason we can't keep our first thread of the year going all year? We have buttons which take us to unread messages and another that takes us back to the top, is there a reason - other than maybe dialup - why we can't run a thread to 600 messages (or whatever?)

Once upon a time, everyone got uptight if threads went over 200 or so messages. If I remember correctly, it was because they were cumbersome for people with dial-up connections. It's now a couple years later, is that still true? Just wondering. I dislike splitting up my year's reading into three threads and would love to avoid it. Right now several very lonely recent reads have been separated from their 2010 brothers and sisters...:-(

I think it's about downloading speeds, especially for those who like to add pictures to their threads. Pictures considerably slow down the download speed, as do lots of book covers.

Also, a part 2 thread is often a good impetus to take stock of ones reading, get remotivated, stimulate new conversation, or mark a new direction in one's reading.

Le salon is going for 1000 posts in a thread, why stop at 600 Lois, you could start the trend here - 1000 in 2011.

Seriously, i agree with Murr, it's more of an excuse to refresh than anything else. I wish we could link them so that LT displays them as two threads, but otherwise treats them as one thread ... Like adding page break.

Perhaps I should submit a request for that, seriously.

Ok, despite the radio silence this am, I've submitted a suggestion. You can weigh in here, if you like... for or against: http://www.librarything.com/topic/99965&newpost=1#lastmsg

For me anything over 300 posts or so takes a while to load, even without pictures and I'm not on dial up. I have an extremely old computer (as computers go I guess) which I suspect may be the culprit.

>31 janemarieprice: ha, perhaps that's my fault for putting book covers in my posts. I so like to see the covers... (yeah, I'm kind of a visual person).

>27 tomcatMurr: Part 2 as impetus. Hmmm. Never thought of that. Or have I....
>28 dchaikin: Yipes, 1000? That's a good idea.

I've just set up a Let's Plan Club Read 2011 thread.

>33 rebeccanyc: thank you for doing that.

edited to add: if you don't mind, I'll stay out of the conversation unless specifically asked something. I'm happy to share my experiences, but I don't want to get in the way of others' thinking and creativity.

Check out my update about Orange January 2011!

(Pardon the repost!)

Just a note: University of Chicago Press offers one free ebook from its catalog each month. They pick; you don't. Up to now and perhaps in the future, these all had to be read on the Adobe Digital Editions platform (free but different from Adobe Reader). But this month they are offering the first volume of Anthony Powell's 12-volume very long novel A Dance to the Music of Time in a variety of e-book formats for free. I just downloaded my freebie from Amazon. Oh and for those of you who prefer the physical format, that will be available as well (for the December offering). There's a promo code for the physical book at the bottom of this post, but I don't know if that's specific to me. So please don't use it. But you can go to http://www.press.uchicago.edu/ebooks/free_ebook.html and sign up for your own free account. Here's the message U of C P sent me.

Since you previously requested a free e-book from the University of Chicago Press, we thought you'd like to know about the December free e-book selection. (If you prefer not to hear about future e-books from Chicago, you may unsubscribe below.)

Anthony Powell’s universally acclaimed epic A Dance to the Music of Time offers a matchless panorama of twentieth-century London. Now, for the first time in decades, you can read the books of Dance as they were originally published—as twelve individual novels—but with a twenty-first-century twist: the individual novels are available only as e-books. And in the month of December, the first novel, A Question of Upbringing, is free!

Get your free e-book edition of A Question of Upbringing during the month of December.

During the month of December, all Dance volumes—physical and e-book—are 30% off! Use promo code DANCE30.


And, this month, gifted in more formats! The 12 volumes of Dance to the Music of Time are being released this month in the Kindle, B&N Digital, Sony, and Borders e-book stores. And the first novel, A Question of Upbringing, is free in all those stores through the end of December! Happy Holidays!

>36 urania1:, fascinating, thanks urania!

Just to let everyone know. A few interested LTers and I have set up a forum for reading the Federalist Papers and the Anti-Federalist Papers. We will not really start until January because of the holidays; however, posts will be going up with useful links background information, etc., throughout December. If this sounds like a group that would interest you, please stop by our site: http://www.librarything.com/groups/thefederalistpapers.

That sounds fascinating and I will have to see whether I have time to participate.

Club Read 2011 is now up and running. Come on over!

"Club Read 2011 is now up and running. Come on over!"

I'm just in the nick of time then. Glad thats sorted out.

I'd like to echo what so many have already said. I liek this place and I like to log my reading here and see some online friends do likewise -- and learn lots form a load of threads I do not have time to reply to always, written in a spirit such as indicated by others above. I've read much less this year, and spent less time on LT too, but am hoping to pick up again and am glad I have not been wasting my time wracking my brain for a CR thread title, though the wracking's not quite finished yet.