Sunday, August 29, 2010

The Sunday Salon - Online Reading Groups


Way back when, I originally started this blog in large part because of Yahoo book groups and reading challenges. Before I even knew what a book blog was, I had found Yahoo's book groups and was happily immersed within the community even if I was a lurker the majority of the time. My only problem was (and still is) that I am such a weird reader. Maybe electic would be a nicer word but weird works for me. You see I have the tendency to want to read EVERYTHING. There are very few genres that I won't read and some of the genres that I don't read a lot of...well, I always plan on reading more from those genres :) All of this means that I was joining groups left and right: paranormal/urban fantasy groups, general bookish groups, literary fiction groups. You name it and I was probably a member of it if it was related to books. I finally had to cut back some as I had joined too many groups and couldn't keep up with any of them. (BTW- I have a tendency to never do anything in moderation when it comes to books) And then I created this blog and got away from my groups entirely.

The other day I realized that I really wanted to participate in a book group that discusses books. Maybe even with a monthly group read. And since it just isn't possible for me right now to belong to a face to face book club, I decided I need to find an online book group that is right for me. Except I can't quite find what I'm looking for as I need a group that reads from multiple genres. I don't want a club that just reads classics for instance...instead I would like one that has a month where they read a classic and then maybe the next month they read something entirely different. Is there anything like this out there??? I could go with one of the groups that I already belong to but that would mean trying to decide which book group "read" I should go with which is a bit problematic for me. Especially since I still belong to multiple groups of different genres. I want to read them all. Seriously. I have issues :) Are there any amazing online book groups out there that you think I should check out??? And does anyone else think I have enough on my plate and should probably not even be worrying about all of this?? LOL!

In reading news, I'm currently reading Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler. It's pretty good but I'm not quite connecting with the main character and some of the choices that she is making. I just have a different direction that I want her to go in if that makes any sense and so I'm waiting to see if she'll get there. It is keeping me turning the pages pretty fast though which is always a good thing. I also received a few new books this week in the mailbox again. Books in the mail = happy Sam! I should probably save this for the Mailbox post that I'm still planning on doing from my last Salon post but I'm too excited. I got a GORGEOUS copy of Blameless by Gail Carriger in the mail on Friday!!! I literally squealed in delight as I cannot wait to read this book and have been waiting quite impatiently for it. Thank you Orbit Books for sending me this!!!! (I'm pretty sure I love you now ;) Gail Carriger has moved on to my must-read author list especially after Changeless (which I think I still need to review. Ugh!) So you know that I'm looking forward to reading this one. And look at that cover. Gorgeous! I'm a super happy reader right now :) Alright, I'm pretty sure that is enough Sunday book talk for out of me for today...I'll be by to visit all of you soon as soon as I finish this cup of coffee.


Happy Sunday!

13 comments:

  1. It's always awesome to receive something that you weren't expecting. I need to read this author. I picked up the first one from the library but never got to it. Guess I need to remedy that don't I?

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  2. I know what you mean, I like to read whatever suits my fancy at the moment. I get bored if I read just one genre for too long.
    I need to read the Gail Carriger books myself. I've heard great things about Souless. Enjoy!

    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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  3. if you find this eclectic mystery book group, let me know. i can't find a book club around here to save my life so maybe online is the way to go! :)

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  4. Hi Sam!
    I haven't picked up Carriger's books yet, but hope to at one point. So many readers really do love her series.

    I just joined my very first online book club recently and we will be reading our first book in September. The participants will take turns suggesting and selecting the book to be read each month... going through the alphabet as a guide for the author's name. I think the selections should be varied because the readers have different tastes. I hope so anyway, because I think I'm growing into a more eclectic reader, although I think I'll always lean towards romance.

    So the book club is hosted by Paula and you can read more about the club here: Authors by the Alphabet Book Club. Our first book is going to be The Godmother by Carrie Adams.

    Maybe this book club would work for you!

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  5. I forgot to say that I started reading Tempest Rising a couple of months ago. Ended up putting it down for another book I was pressed to read--probably a library book-- but do plan on continuing with it. I agree with you in that it was easy and entertaining enough to read and enjoy, but I wasn't quite sure I was clicking with the heroine, too. How interesting...

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  6. Staci- You do not know how excited I was when I opened this book up. You really do need to give this author a try...she is awesome!

    Naida- I can't read just one genre...it puts me in a reading slump. I try to mix it up so that I am constantly engaged with what I am reading..it doesn't always work but at least it keeps me happy :)

    Nat- I just don't have the time with 3 kids for a f2f book club. I'm hoping that finding a good online one will satisfy the itch I have.

    Christine- Thanks for sharing about this book group. It sounds interesting and I'm definitely going to check it out. I lean towards paranormal/urban fantasy even if I like to read all kinds of other genres so I understand where you are coming from :)

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  7. Christine- I'm just not sure with the choices that she is making...and I'm not a huge fan of Ryu. Even though he is playing a big part in this book. I'll be interested in seeing how everything plays out. Make sure you let me know what you think if you end up finishing this one at some point.

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  8. I started originally in the Yahoo book groups too but it got too hard to keep up with both them and my blog for me. We were probably in a lot of the same ones. Sorry I can't help though. My copies of Changeless and Blameless are on their way!

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  9. I loved me some Yahoo Groups back in the day. I've left most of them, and the ones I loved back in the day for their ecclectic taste are mostly gone, sadly. I wish you luck finding what you're looking for!

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  10. I totally hear you about reading everything. I"m the same way-why limit yourself to only one genre? I really need to read the Gail Carriger books!

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  11. I belonged to several Yahoo book groups but then some of them just turned into gab groups and some were not what I expected. Guess I am in the same boat as you!

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  12. In addition to online reading groups, there are also read-a-longs hosted by various book bloggers, and you'd be able to read what strikes your fancy at any time.

    Congrats on your new book!

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  13. Ladytink- We probably were in the same groups :) And I'm super excited that you are going to be reading Changeless soon...I can't wait to hear what you think!

    Andi- That stinks that the electic ones aren't still out there! And thanks...I'll keep looking and eventually I'm sure I'll find one that matches me.

    Buckeye Girl- I highly recommend Gail Carriger and her series...she has become a must-read author for me.

    Bibliophile by the Sea- It does sound like we are in the same spot. I'm going to keep looking though and hopefully I'll be able to find a great online reading group :)

    Suko- You know..I do need to try a readalong once. There seem to be lots of them out there. Thanks for sharing the idea!

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