Fresh Fiction Blog | Elizabeth Haynes

In the UK, book groups tend to consist of 10-15 members (although there are much larger, and smaller ones), they usually meet once a month, either in members' houses, or in pubs or coffee shops. And one thing I hadn't realised – they are virtually impossible to join. Members are very protective of their circle, and groups have often been running for many years with the same people. When my book was first published, I was invited to visit a local book group when they met to discuss my book. I enjoyed their conversation so much I asked if I could join. This was met with a horrified silence and I realised I'd committed a major faux pas. But thankfully they admitted me as a member, possibly because their rival book group didn't have an author.

Since then I've met with many book groups (although I've never tried to join another one) and I love this aspect of being a writer more than anything else. Book groups always seem pleased to see me, and at every single meeting at least one question is raised that I haven't heard before. Some of them are gems. For example, someone asked me if Cathy's story was based on the plot of Wuthering Heights (it isn't, but maybe could have been); another time, I was asked if the names of the pubs in my story are relevant, since the sexual encounter in the beer garden takes place at the Spread Eagle, and the nice date happens at the Rest Assured. Again, this wasn't deliberate but I do like the way it turned out! Another question was why the women in my books don't cook. This is very intriguing as I like cooking myself. Maybe it's my way of distancing myself from my female characters?

I've worked my way round so many of the book groups nearby that I've started using Skype to connect with book groups further afield – almost as enjoyable as meeting them in person. The disadvantages are that I don't get to partake of the nibbles they usually provide, or sign books for people – but this is balanced by the advantages: I can talk to the book group wearing my pyjama pants... and I don't have a long drive home afterwards.

Do you belong to a book club? What do you like about it? Would you let an author join? One person who comments will win INTO THE DEEPEST CORNER

Comments

I belong to a Science Fiction book club, called Harry that has bee in exsistence for over 30 years here in Stark County Ohio. It's not a closed group and there are some very devoted members who keep trying to bring new people into the fold. I joined 22 years ago and go to the meetings to discuss the books that I want to read that are on their list. The yearly review of Science Fiction/Fantasy movies is usually a well attended meeting.
(Norma Storms 11:08am June 23, 2012)

I don't belong to a book club but all my friends are reading fans and we swap info, comments, recommendations and occasionally books attached to very long elastic bands. I would not like to be told that for next week we had to read - let's say, Anna Karenina or Salmon Fishing in The Yemen, when I've just received the latest Nevada Barr in the post! I would also tend to think that time spent dissecting a book is time I could be spending reading another book.
But for those who enjoy the social aspect of the book club, and are thrilled to get recommendations for books they wouldn't otherwise have heard of, it has to be a good thing.
(Clare O'Beara 11:17am June 23, 2012)

So many members of my family enjoy reading we decided to form a family book club. I'm working on convincing everyone to get Kindle Fires.
(Cheryl Stillwell 11:33am June 23, 2012)

No I don't belong to a club. I love to read, though.
(Mary Hay 11:42am June 23, 2012)

Let's try again. I would lI've to join a book group/club but there aren't
many in my area. And I read at a different speed than others so I'm afraid
that would cause a problem for me. I do love getting to meet authors so I
would love for authors to join...
(Kelli Jo Calvert 12:16pm June 23, 2012)

I'm not in a book club because the local one meets only in the warm summer months when I'm outside enjoying the weather and gardening and golf and doesn't meet in the cold winter months when I do most of my reading. Maybe some day they will change their schedule and I'll be able to join.
(Sue Farrell 12:24pm June 23, 2012)

this seems like a book i would like to read love to win
(Denise Smith 12:31pm June 23, 2012)

I am not a book club member but I do discuss and trade books with friends who read the same genre.
(MaryEllen Hanneman 1:52pm June 23, 2012)

I have never been a member of a book club.
(Colleen Conklin 2:48pm June 23, 2012)

I'm not in a book club and have no problem finding more than enough books I want to read on my own. Our library puts out a newspaper monthly of many new books and new authors. I also find many through blogs on Fresh Fiction and looking on Amazon, etc. I have found many excellent books to read and recommended by authors through my e-mails.
I look forward to reading your book.
(Linda Luinstra 4:42pm June 23, 2012)

There are a couple of book clubs that I'm aware of at our local libraries, and anyone is welcome to join. I was asked to come, however with commitments that I have at home, and personal issues that have arisen, mainly my Father taking ill and being put in a nursing home against my better judgement, it's been taking up more of my time than I care to think about. I would much rather spend it knitting and reading books, than spending it driving over 2 hours one way just to see my Father in the nursing home to make sure he's ok. I know that didn't sound right, but you know what I mean. Inter-family issues get ugly, and this one is just starting. Anyway, I find your book cover to be fascinating, and I love it, and would love to read your book as well. I believe I'm due for a bit of a diversion.
(Peggy Roberson 5:07pm June 23, 2012)

Yes I would let an author join a book group. I do not belong to one but feel I do because I have alot of friends who are constantly reading and we are always discussing which books we have recently read and what to read next
(Shirley Younger 5:35pm June 23, 2012)

I tend to lean more to book bloggers and not book clubs because I'm
always reading something. So no book groups for me
(Camille Rose 6:51pm June 23, 2012)

Never belonged to a book group before...we live in a very small, one light town and I think I have more books on my bookshelves then they do at our little library. I am never without a book near by....
(Bonnie Capuano 7:13pm June 23, 2012)

I don't belong to a book club. There are none around here. I should start one up.
(Mary Preston 7:48pm June 23, 2012)

I did at one point, but I found the book selection too narrow - they only chose books that had won literary awards. I do discuss books informally with family, friends and my librarian.
(Mary C 8:55pm June 23, 2012)

I am Not in a book club but would love to be in one! I think it would be enlightening for an author to be in your club. You as authors have to read other books too!!!!
(LeAnn Knott 9:56pm June 23, 2012)

No, I do not belong to a book club nor do I plan to
join one anytime soon. Having an author as a member
might be interesting, if one lived nearby and had the
time. Most authors seem to always be writing or working
the day job. LOL. Blog groups give me most information
about books and authors.
(Patricia Cochran 10:22pm June 23, 2012)

I no longer belong to a book club, but I miss the conversation and commaraderie that I had when I was a member. Our club was restricted to only the employees at the job that I worked at. An author would be an added bonus to any group given that they had the time and energy to do so since many are wives, mothers, employees in addition to writing.
(Angelina Daniels-Shaw 10:51pm June 23, 2012)

I've never been part of a formal book club where I work evenings when everyone would be meeting. But my fellow co-workers and I all love to read so we chat about books we all enjoy and recommend books to each other. I think it would be interesting to have an author as part of a club; they could bring a whole new perspective to the conversation!
(Michele Hayes 11:35pm June 23, 2012)

I can't imagine life without DFW Tea Readers. We meet several times a month in different locations, with one being at a tea room. We love to have authors drop in or call or Skype. I'll admit you do act differently when an author is present than not. We do have authors as members.

As for being closed to new members, not at all. Maybe because we're in Texas but we welcome all newcombers and try to make them welcome.
(Fresh Fiction 12:01pm June 24, 2012)

I've never belonged to a book club but it sounds like fun:)
(Barbara Studer 12:05pm June 24, 2012)

Book sounds like one I'd like to read. Don't belong to a book. Would love to win your book.
(Amy Milne 12:52pm June 24, 2012)

I do not belong to a book club as I have no clue of any in my area. I do
know of one but it is dedicated to reading a certain religion books and I
don't read those books. I would love to though. Also I read at my pace
which is considerably faster than they woukd go. Can easily read 2 200
page novels a day or a longer one and starting on the next. Maybe more
somedays, less somedays.
(Vicki Hancock 2:18am June 24, 2012)

I am not in an official book club, although someday I would like to
be. Me, my sister and my mom have formed our own "book club"
at home, but this is the farthest I have gone as far as group
reading is concerned. I love how we all take different things as
lessons from the same book. If I WAS in an official book club, I
would let an author join, because I really like hearing different
viewpoints.
(Samantha King 3:05am June 24, 2012)

Yes, I am in a club and it is great because we all bring other thoughts to the books we love.
(Darci Paice 3:25am June 24, 2012)

No I do not belong to a bookclub but I would love to join one. I would let anyone in at least I would like to think everyone would be welcome. The more the better and an author I would think that would be awesome!
(Deborah Garcia 3:48am June 24, 2012)

I don't belong to a book club since I work later in the evenings and that's when the clubs I know of meet. It sounds like fun though to be able to discuss books with others who love to read.
(Maureen Emmons 6:04am June 24, 2012)

I would love to be in a book club if I could find a romance book club. I
know its bad of me but I read only romance and its sub-genres. I'm in
the process of trying to find one.
[email protected]
(Lori Meehan 7:18am June 24, 2012)

I do not belong to a group, but always talk to different friends who have varying taste about what I or they are reading.
(Pat Freely 11:24am June 24, 2012)

I don't belong to a book club, but love to read.
(Anna Speed 1:07pm June 24, 2012)

I don't belong to a book club, but have friends that have the same taste in books.
(Sheila True 3:37pm June 24, 2012)

I don't belong to a book club. I enjoy the solitary nature of reading.

The blurb on your book is frightening. How awful for Cathy.
(Catherine Lee 4:04pm June 24, 2012)

I do not belong to a book club. I am a fickle reader so I don't think I would enjoy it.
(Patti Paonessa 8:44pm June 24, 2012)

I don't belong to a book club, I can't commit to being able to make it on the same day and time once a month. If I were in a book club I would love to have an author join though!
(Robin Daily 8:49pm June 24, 2012)

I belong to 2 book groups. The one at the library meets monthly and I was a week early last time. We read and discuss the novels and decide if they are worthy of recommendation for friends or which group would they most appeal to. The other book group meets sporadically and books are decided amongst the members who show up.
(Alyson Widen 5:50pm June 25, 2012)

I like the idea of a book club but the few I've tried have been disappointing.
(Shirley Nienkark 11:52am June 28, 2012)

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