after some mild persuasion by people i like a lot, i am beginning an online book group. we’ll read a book a month and open for discussion on the last day of each month. i realize this gets sticky with holidays. but should reading take a holiday? no. it shouldn’t.
why, exactly, are you going to join this little group?
because reading is so important. it is so essential. it is so necessary.
you, there. the person who haunts this little blog now and then, but never says anything. and, you. the friend, the mother, the uncle, the cousin. come and read. don’t say you don’t have time. don’t say you only read murder mysteries. don’t say it’s too complicated, too hard, too long, too soft, too porridge-hot, too small, too thick. don’t make excuses, make room. open yourself to new ideas, to the sky, to the feel of other experience.
let’s begin. let’s take a breath and open books and not come up until we need air. let’s read. let’s ride the book trail.
first up: housekeeping by marilynne robinson
to be discussed: november 30th
and since we have a few extra weeks, here’s a little article, “on the way to becoming an authentic reader” by richard cracroft, published in byu studies. he brilliantly discusses the issue of being religious and simultaneously approaching the vast set of experiences represented in literature.
join me oct. 31st to discuss his ideas.
Count me in. (Just to clarify–does the book involve any actual housekeeping?)
I’m in, too, if you’ll have me!
Count me in! I love reading buddies, in fact I’m hungry for reading buddies! I have a fun article for you to by Dr. Van Gessel (the old dean of Humanities at BYU). Actually it was a commencement address, I’ll send it to you, I’m interested to hear your thoughts!
oh my… i would like to try. i think i will because i can cheat and get your opinons at thanksgiving first! : ) yes…my plan will work.
when i join you on oct. 31, can i eat donuts and drink cider? sort of like a join-up party?
Count me in! I’m so excited! I just hope my comments in “book club” measure up
I’m on my way to check the book out of the library! Sounds like a lot of fun - I miss book group…sigh.
do i need a ticket to ride?
A book club! Woo hoo! I’ll be there.
Psst… Molly sent me. Hey Jessie, it’s Kate. (Kate J. to you in the days when you were Jessie S.) I’m up for it!
However, I warn you, I didn’t like Robinson’s “Gilead.” In fact, I couldn’t even finish it, which is rare for me, especially in a Pulitzer-winner. And as you MAY remember, I can be a bit vocal if I don’t like a work of literature. But hey, that’s what discussion is about, right?
You can check out my book reviews at http://www.katejonuska.com. I’ve been doing them for a long while now, but I’ve fallen four books behind of late. Eek! Or shoot me an email just to catch up if you like: katejon103@yahoo.com.
I haven’t checked your blog in awhile (I’ve been on a bit of a personal boycott, but then I remembered how much your writing picks me up) I wish I had checked a week ago, I’ve been wandering around without a book and complaining every night. I can’t guarantee I”ll have it done for the discussion or anything, but it looks like a fun title.
[...] - i hope you’ve all started housekeeping by marilynne robinson for our book group, the book trail.] Filed under children’s lit, thankfulness [...]
[...] - you still have ample time to finish housekeeping by marilynne robinson for our book group, the book trail, on nov. 30.] Filed under thankfulness, fiction [...]