Comments on: On Book Clubs

By: shortbus

shortbus — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 00:22:13 +0000

Stupid, stupid men. I’m kinda glad I’m not Mrs. Flava. Anyone know where I can find a smart, not-too-controversial People magazine book club? I’m not sure I like who they keep picking for sexiest man alive.

By: Dr J

Dr J — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 16:04:44 +0000

Wrong, wrong, wrong. I’m a Franklin Mint civil war figurine man all the way.

By: flavawheel

flavawheel — Sun, 28 Jan 2007 07:00:45 +0000

I guess you’re too busy plugging in your Prius while you sip merlot and arrange your Hummel unicorns there, J.

By: Dr J

Dr J — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 16:06:55 +0000

A real man wouldn’t drink Bud Light.

By: Dale

Dale — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 10:50:15 +0000

Friends of mine have a book and movie club where they only read books that have also have film adaptations. They read, they see, they pizza and chat, no big whoop. They take turns hosting and have a small but sometimes rotating group that enjoy it. They take turns hosting. I haven’t gone but I know they all seem to love it! I don’t go because of my secret shame – I can’t read.

By: DJ Cayenne

DJ Cayenne — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 04:19:37 +0000

Tell you what, flava, we need to start us an American Chopper Club. Men only. See how they like it.

By: flavawheel

flavawheel — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 00:31:33 +0000

You gotta watch out for them lady book clubs, Cayenne. My wife was in one, and she had the whole lot of them at my place one night. So I’m sittin’ on the couch, trying to watch my American Chopper, and all I hear is “blah-blah-blah-my-emotions” this, and “yada-yada-yada-my-feelings” that.

So I says to ‘em, I says, “Hey, can you hens shut the hell up in there? Paulie’s weldin’ up a kick-ass exhaust out here, and I’m missin’ it with all this cackling.”

So it FINALLY gets quiet, when all of a sudden one of ‘em come charging out, all hysterical like she got her monthlies or something, telling me how she won’t be called a hen and how I need to go back to my cave and some other crap.

So to make the peace, I says, “Look, you came all the way out here, the least you coulda done is grabbed me one of them Bud Lights in the fridge. Come on, chop-chop, honey.” You know, to flatter her by making her feel all domestic and useful, right?

So I figure I’m good, but then I got all of ‘em out there, blockin’ the damn TV, talkin’ about how I got no respect for women and I should be embarrassed, you know, typical girl stuff. So now they’re gettin’ way outta line, so I’m like, “Hey, you broads could at least respect ME by getting my beer out here while it’s still cold, you know?”

And then they all left and my wife is crying and I had to TiVo the rest of Chopper — total disaster. So just a heads-up for there, Cayenne.

By: DJ Cayenne

DJ Cayenne — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 15:53:29 +0000

Uh oh. I think I stepped in it. I meant no offense to women’s book clubs everywhere or in general. I carefully inserted the “most of the book clubs in my area” qualifier at the beginning of that description. I know that there are good book clubs somewhere. There may even be one that includes men someplace. I’m also all for talking about books over wine. I don’t know how I found myself on the wrong side of that point either.

Here are some questions: How did you ease out the know-it-all? And how do you achieve your broad range of ages? How do you moderate the discussion?

By: Nitro

Nitro — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 15:44:30 +0000

I completely agree with Beth and think that your stereotype of book clubs is why there are no men book clubs.

My book club has been around for 5 years (and I even recently posted all the books we’ve read on this blog) Anyway – secret to our success is definitely a diverse but respectful group of people. We find that the most boring discussions are actually when we all enjoy the book versus having a lot of different opinions about a book. You also have to make sure that the group are avid readers. Nothing worse than the member who comes to every meeting but never reads the book.

We select our books by taking turns but when it is your turn – you have to bring in 3 books and the group votes on which of those they want to
read.

Worst books ever read – Crimson Petal & the White and To the Lighthouse. Hated by all members.

By: Beth (The Toronto One)

Beth (The Toronto One) — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 15:20:51 +0000

Okay, I’m insulted by your take on women and book clubs. While we do have a glass of wine (and what’s wrong with that?) we do NOT read “mainstream, non-controversial books.” We tackle “toughies” and we have fabulous discussions/disagreements. We learn from the books and from one another.
Alas, no male members. Well, maybe no “alas” about it. Too many men make fun of book clubs.
I will admit to that fact that as well as discussing the books, we will also (later in the evening) delve into more personal matters. (Another reason why men aren’t really welcome.) It’s like a “support” group. Nothing wrong with that either.

One negative story to report. We did once have to “ease out” a member. Actually, there was really no easy way to do it. This woman kept telling the rest of us that our opinions were wrong, that we did not understand the book. Huh? Twelve women and only she “got it?” Her attempts to control the evening put quite the damper on things.

Secret to our success? A wide range of ages (from early twenties to mid-sixties), great books and we are always happy to welcome new members.

Rant over. (Sorry – sort of.)