So... because NO ONE asked. Let's talk about my continued foray into In- Person book clubs.
This month we read some God-awful "Women's fiction" book. I couldn't get it from the library or on audio so in the end, I never even really attempted to read it. I read the description, and I was pretty sure this was something I'd never personally pick up.
Nothing wrong with a title being called "Women's Fiction" it's a bit of a nebulous term but my experience with it has been that it is sort of "safe" reading that can be emitonal, but in reality doesn't really delve very deep into things (just my opinion, some does) , and moves at a glacial pace. Lydia Hilje explains this genre better here. It certainly has more depth than what I've said and I've read books classified as Women's Fiction that were actually very good. I just find the label a bit odd. I think it's unfortunate that many books are labelled as Women's Fiction because it is a label that certainly puts off many male readers. We don't really have a "Men's Fiction" section, so...if there is anything the world may need, it would be men willing to read about women's experiences.
So... I pulled up to the library, and sat in my car. I was seized by a the desire to GO HOME. I hadn't read the book, I felt a little under-dressed (I had just come from the gym) and of course, I'd taken a bit of a dislike to the leader of the group. Within the last month, she had sent about 6 emails...all about how to obtain the book, and I was, kind of, over it.
BUT AMAZINGLY and I will never know why- I suddenly with 3 minutes to go, propelled myself into the building and sat down with all the other book club members. I sat there in total shock. Why oh why was I there? In part, I didn't want to be scared off of book club, and in part, I still do not understand how my body acted against my brain and walked my self in there.
I sat for an hour and 15 minutes and listened to everyone discuss this book. I don't think people really loved it, but the person who picked the book was so concerned that people wouldn't like it, that I of course, said I did. (I am now a terrible person, going to heck in a handbasket of unread books) . Here is Little Red, come to take me away. She's not looking too pleased with me.
Very, L. L. A. & L. Prang & Co, P. (1863) Red Riding Hood. [Boston, Mass.: Published by L. Prang & Co., no. 159 Washington St] [Pdf] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/78315528/.
To my great surprise, I actually enjoyed this a bit more than last time. I was less "new" and felt more relaxed, and I also felt NO pressure to contribute because what was I going to say- I hadn't even read the book. In the end, I was able to discuss my loathing of these vague endings, when another reader complained that the ending just fizzled out, but for the most part I was more relaxed and observant, which is probably how I should have been on my first Book club foray! The leader was adorable to me this time, she is elderly-elderly and brought an email reply from the author that was a very standard reply "Thank you for your kind thoughts about my novel, I'm working on more for the future" Our leader then touted her "personal connection via email" through our session and I thought it was very cute. I did not tell her that this very popular author, probably had that email answered by a PA, she was so excited by it.
So. I am now on a mission. I'm going to add some color to this club. Next year when all the books are voted on, I'm going to put a few books up for voting by diverse authors-and I'm hoping they will pick them. I'm going to be sure to mention them all the time, and we're going to open up some new horizons.
Next month appears to be Jeanette Walls and while she never has topped by list, I've been interested in some of her books, so...maybe this one will be a winner for me.
If you're interested in participating in a Book club, but aren't ready for the local one, I have two book clubs I host online- at Fable- Everyone is totally welcome to join:
We vote for a title or series to read every time we finish a title or series! All the books tend to feature a heroine who's very romantic but also has a few stabby hard angles. This is not a club for anything serious, we swoon when it's worth a swoon, and declare our hatred of the villain, discuss theories and plot points, but honestly you won't generally find great literature here, but sometimes... sometimes it's really really fun!
And a Science Fiction club where we are reading through ALL the Hugo Award novel winners. CLICK HERE Obviously, someone else already voted these winners for us, but we are going to start on 1954 award winner Ray Bradbury this week, This club only has a few members, and we would love some more!
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