I just posted our selections on the 2011 Book Club choices thread. (I tried to post the list earlier, but my Firefox browser crashed just as I was finishing, so I turned off my computer in frustration.) Since you've asked in this thread, I'll repeat the list: Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah Biography Night (individual choice) Traveling with Pomegranates by Sue Monk Kidd and Ann Kidd Taylor Our community One Read book (title as yet unknown) Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick Shanghai Girls by Lisa See My group has already read several of the the suggestions that were offered in this thread, and generally we liked all of them, so I think we'd like the others as well. I will keep this list handy for future selections. Thanks again! -- Kathy

Thank you all for you responses. You've given me some good ideas, and some names of books that just might spark some discussion. I'm always a little leery of books about the Holocaust; I often find them too upsetting to read. But The Sunflower sounds like it goes beyond just relating the horrors to some deeper reflections on human nature. My library doesn't have a copy, nor a copy of A Thread of Grace, but I think I'll look elsewhere for them. I like the idea of the reading kits. I believe our local library has a few of those; I'm not sure how many. I went to one meeting of the library book club. We discussed Joseph Campbell's The Power of Myth, a fabulous book, but I was disappointed in the discussion. It was dominated by a woman who wanted to discuss current-day politics, and the leader/librarian, couldn't seem to slow her down. The discussion ended exactly one hour after we started, even though we had lots more to discuss.

You are all so wonderful. Kath started me out with some great suggestions and the rest of you are equally brilliant. Let me see if I can add more info. We don't get LOTS of snacks, but we get some GOOD snacks. I like the idea of everyone bringing a plate or a snack. That seems a fair compromise. Our reading is a bit limited due to our shared interests: the books must be based in the UK - from Beowulf to Bridget Jones, but they must be based in the UK. I think it is limited, but perhaps not by that much. The members all tell me that it is just lovely and fantastic and wonderful but yet... but yet... commitment is a big problem. Jan mentioned charging. Since it isn't really a class and we have no handouts at all, I don't think that will work too well. I can see how paying for something increases the level of commitment, but I honestly think it would be viewed in a negative manner. It is a rather small community and most of these folks I see on a regular basis on a social level or at the schools. cece and bookmom both suggested that we meet in restaurants. This idea is simply grand. I will approach everyone and see how they feel about it. It would definitely take a lot of pressure off of the hostess. And we could order food/drinks if we wanted them or not. And, like bookmom said, the hostess's family wouldn't be umm, interferring. Time of day is an issue. We have three stay at home moms who gave up professional jobs to raise kids. And two women who work full time. Daytime meetings aren't really an option at this point with our current members. And interestingly enough, it's not just the moms that show up or just the moms that don't respond, it's everyone. I think at this point, I'd be just as happy if people showed up who have not read the book just to have people attend. Maybe I am just too "into" reading and for the others it is more of a hobby, something they do IF they have time. I MAKE time for reading in my day. I do not know how they feel about books and reading, I only know how I feel about books and reading. Perhaps it's not that they aren't committed, but perhaps I am overly committed. (I am going TO BE committed if I keep over-analyzing this, aren't I??) Do your book clubs have commitment problems? I know some of you mentioned that your members are commited and that you hound the ones that don't show up.. that's hilarious! I envy that very much. My other book club seems more commited... the books are worse, but the level of commitment is greater. We all get along really well when we finally do get together. I think the biggest problem is the commitment to the club. For example, the meeting is tonight. I've heard from one person to say whether or not she'll be here (she won't be attending as she's out of town.) From the others, nothing but silence. Like Liz, I am the instigator. I started it all. It is my fault that the ground rules were specific about books, but not...

Hi Carolyn -- It's good to be remembered. I guess I just got busy. We moved (downsized) in 2011 and yet we still have two storage areas of "stuff" to go through, and, I hope, get rid of. And I waste too much time on Facebook. I still check in here on occasion, though, to see how you all are doing and what you are reading. I'll try to check in more often. Reading books for two book clubs and reading my own choices in between keeps me busy reading. But like all of you, I love it. Sorry to hijack you thread, Paula. Just to bring us back to the topic I will post some of last year's book club reads. :-) 2013 List - It was a pretty good year. CalebâÂÂs Crossing by Geraldine Brooks Heft by Liz Moore Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese Wild by Cheryl Strayed The Secrets of Mary Bowser by Lois Leveen Gone Girl and/or Psychopath Test The World We Found by Thrity Umrigar Blame by Michelle Huneven The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman