8 June 2005

Book Clubs

| Squirts
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Hey,

Does anyone know of any non wanky (read literature) book clubs around town?

Cheers

Squirts

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Folks,

email me if you want me to set up some logistic support at our end (johnboy@the-riotact.com).

I would have thought monthly (maybe fortnightly) at the Wig and Pen would have been the way to go about it. We can put the current book and the next meetup in one of the right blocks and create a mailling list.

Cheers.

sounds good to me. anyone else coming along?

Based on a book club of a few years ago, which ran on pretty democratic lines, (it helped that we were all interested in crime fiction, and a couple of members were actually trying to write crime fiction) people came up with suggestions for books that they’d like discussed and after a show of hands…we often had a couple of book discussions running at the same time, it wasn’t too intellectual (we met at a restaurant and had coffee and cake while while discussing). The organiser was a lady from PM&C and was quite good at letting the discussion flow, so everyone could talk, and there were those that just liked to sit back and listen and take it in. I liked hearing about books I hadn’t had time to read, and it was as much a social occasion as intellectual discussion. We also tried to suit most of the members likes/dislikes (“are there any books/authors we wouldn’t want to read ?” etc)
As I recall the first gettogether we just about what we wanted from a book group and the kind of books we thought we’d enjoy reading.

just a thought . . but do you think a bunch of us could ever decide on a single book on a regualr monthly/weekly basis hehe

Anybody else – shall we all come armed with a book or shall i just grab a table and put a little sign on saying RiotACT Book Group ?

ok I will be there. . any other takers?

How do people feel about W&P Fri about oh, say 6-ish ?

so the decision is??

Wig and Pen would be good – I’m reading Western Horizon (” Sydney’s heartland and the future of Australian politics” by David Burchell – but if you’re not from Sydney, interested in politics or a westie, you probably won’t like it.

Chris count me in. We could always go to the Wig and Pen.

saw a sign at the library in dickson the other day that the local libraries can get together a bunch of copies of the same book for local book groups… up to 15 I think it said.

Canberra_unsung_hero9:21 pm 08 Jun 05

It was printed here in Canberra by The Kingston Press back in the 1970’s. (Unfortunately the book never made it into any major bookstores ).

Canberra_unsung_hero5:15 pm 08 Jun 05

The reason you haven’t heard of it Chris is because despite the title, it turned out to be quite the opposite ! There is a copy of it in the National Library ( Author – William A Gold ).

My cautious colleague has suggested alternatively, if a social setting is called for, that people meet at either the CSCC or Hellenic over a bite to eat and discuss a book (s) (hopefully read beforehand). Any takers ?

If takers are in favour of a social setting, I’ll (cautiously) volunteer to host (book readers are civilised people after all) an evening discussion.
For the record I uswed to write for a living and will be teaching two CIT creative writing courses.
Haven’t read ‘One Best Seller’but like historical/political novels – esp. by Brits (think ‘House of cards’ etc.)

Canberra_unsung_hero2:40 pm 08 Jun 05

Might I suggest Bill Gold’s self published book “One Best Seller” ?

What little time the family gives me for myself is spent online, where the ‘fix’ is fast and furious 😉

That being said, Read everything by China Meiville and we’ll have something to talk about. I always have time for China’s scibblings.

and form guides.

I’m surprised to hear that people actually have time to read books.

I get enough reading at work. Time spent away from work usually involves VB.

an excellent idea, im keen. can i suggest some books to start with ?

I vote a social setting!

I’m not up for an on-line one.

Would you start it online or in a social setting?

That’s a great idea. let me know if you start one

I’m after a bit of everything – crime,non fiction, thrillers. Something that’s a bloody good read ala Robert Crais or James Lee Burke. Am open to all books – just want to talk to someone about them!

What kind of books would be up for discussion?

Canberra_unsung_hero11:44 am 08 Jun 05

I’m a member of Oprah’s Book Club … (for what it’s worth ).

Hell yes!

I’m willing to start one – any takers ?

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