Saturday, October 10, 2009

October Book Club

Hmmm. Seems I am a little lax in updating the blog.

This month's book will be Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.

The meeting is at my house (see Evite for directions) 645-900. Please RSVP if you can.

November and December will be combined into our annual holiday pot luck/book exchange sometime in early December. Details to follow. We will also be off-handedly discussing Dicken's A Christmas Carol.

That's all for now!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

July

Yay! Summer!!

Book: The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
Date: Tuesday July 28th.
Time: 6:45-9:00 (645-715 social time and snack grabbing, 715-900ish book time).
Facilitator: Micheal
Host: Also Micheal (see email for directions, contact and address).

August's Book will be Blindness by Jose Saramago.

Please RSVP via Blog, Email or Evite. If you are not getting the email's or Evites just let me know.

Thanks.
Jess

Monday, June 15, 2009

June Meeting

June Bookclub will be Tuesday June 23rd from 645-900.

We are reading The Night Trilogy by Elie Wiesel.

We will be focusing the discussion on the "Night" section but will branch into "Dawn" and "Day" as time allows. I can say that it took me 2 evenings to read "Night" and that was only because I tried to catch my house on fire and had to stop. The material is captivating and very quick. The entire trilogy is a little more that 300 pages...but Night is 120.

I think this will be a great discussion!

Micheal will be hosting, email directions to follow soon. Dana will be facilitating this month's discussion.

July's book will be The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood.

Please RSVP via blog, email or Evite!

Thanks
Jess

Saturday, May 23, 2009

May!

Oops! Sorry. With all the other sources I forgot to update the blog. Bad Jess!

The meeting is this Tuesday the 26th from 6:45-9:00.

We are reading Blink by Malcolm Gladwell.

Ashley is hosting and facilitating this month. Please refer to your email for directions and information. If you don't have the email let me know.

jess.kearneybryan@gmail.com

I hope everyone enjoys the nice long weekend!

Jess

Monday, March 30, 2009

April Book Club

Hello everyone!

Next month's bookclub will be....
DATE: Tuesday April 28th
TIME: 6:45-9:00
HOST: Diane (Directions to follow)
FACILITATOR: Also Diane
BOOK: Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides

Thanks for all who RSVP'd last month! We had a great discussion.

Sorry for those who couldn't make it...and those that I didn't get the "help I can't find your house!" email until too late. =/
Future Reference...I can not check this email account at work so if you get stuck at the last minute please call my cell phone (see the email for my number).

Please RSVP for April's event when you get a moment. This month I promise that the evite will go out.

The Book for May will be Blink by Malcolm Gladwell.

Take care and Happy Spring.
Jess

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

MARCH BOOK CLUB

Hey all.

Book Club is next Tuesday, March 24th.

Social time will be from 645-715.
Book time will be from 715 until 830 or 900.

Book: My Sister's Keeper
Host: Jess
Facilitator: Jess

Please RSVP! Check the email for details!

See you there.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Volunteers needed! (Blog #3 for 2.26.09)

As stated in the email and Blog #1. We are asking for people to facilitate each meeting.

The facilitators role will be:

1. Choose the book.
2. Bring a list of discussion questions/topics.
3. Keep the group on track
4. Take notes about responses/discussions and avoid lulls.
5. Give a brief synopsis (teaser) at the previous month's meeting to give everyone an idea of what will be discussed.
6. Email Jess (jess.kearneybryan@gmail.com) any relevant websites, book info etc that s/he would like included in the update emails and blogs.

March , April, May and June are covered.

THE FACILITATOR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR HOSTING! The host for the meeting will be decided independently.

If you can not post to the site send me an email and I will post on your behalf.

If you would like a list of books that are "good for discussion" I compiled one and am happy to send it out.

Facilitating is not a requirement for being in the group...but please know that if you had strong opinions about the selections in the past, this is the best way to get your choices noticed. =)

MARCH BOOK CLUB (Blog #2 2.26.09)

The next Book Club will be

TUESDAY March 24th from 645-900

We will be discussing My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

http://www.jodipicoult.com/my-sisters-keeper.html

Jess will be facilitating this month and she will be hosting.

Please RSVP if you plan to attend.

Book Club Update (Blog #1 for 2.26.09)

Hello everyone.

Okay. So tonight didn't seem to work for anyone. Sorry if it was a bad time. But...at least my kitchen is clean. ;) I did go through all of the feedback, discussed some options with Diane (who enjoyed not only my clean house but the pup) and came up with some new ideas.

This is a long email....and I would love feedback. I feel a numbered list is easiest for getting everything out...and I really would like responses from everyone so I am not shooting in the dark. Anything you feel strongly about or would like to add to...you can just say..."Hey Jess...I think #1 should be blah blah blah".

1. We have thrown out the remaining list, save one title, for this year. Yay! Clean slate.

2. We have adopted a slightly different, more structured approach. Some people noted that there was not enough discussion of the book, so to appease the social nature and book loving time:
From 645-715 will be social time, get all your gossip and snacks and get ready.
Each Meeting will start with everyone going around the circle and introducing
themselves, along with a 2-5 min reaction to the book.
The facilitator will have a list of discussion topics at hand and take notes on the reactions
so that we can keep conversations going in the lull.
Meetings will be "scheduled" to end at 900 to adhere to the early mornings that most of
us face.
At the end of each meeting the facilitator for the next month will give a brief synopsis of
the book (a teaser if you will).

3. Each month will have a different facilitator. Everyone gets a turn! That person is responsible for choosing the book, downloading (or creating if you are super cool) the discussion topics, keeping the group on track, and taking note of topics that we may want to revisit. This is obviously not meant to be stressful, because lets face it...we all have enough stress. But it will give everyone in the group a chance to read something on their list and talk about it!

4. IMPORTANT...the facilitator does NOT have to host. I know that some people can not host at their home but would still like to lead...no worries. The location of each meeting will be rotated as usual.

5. We will have AT LEAST 2 months planned. This is to help the folks that are really busy get some mass reading done when they have time, and to help those who miss a meeting to not fall behind.

6. A summary email will be sent out the night of or day after each meeting so everyone knows what book is next and where to go. A reminder will be sent out the week before and the weekend before. PLEASE PLEASE RSVP. It would be best if you could RSVP yes or no so at least we know you are alive. There will also be updates on the blog...remember the blog? http://southcharlottebookclub.blogspot.com/

7. We have switched the meetings back to Tuesdays. This is also in response to the survey. The group will meet on the 4th Tuesday of every month.

8. March and April have been set. I am going to post a message on the blog and would like if people could please sign up for a month by commenting to the post. If you have a book in mind post it there. I will take care of the emails and new posts. If you can't post on the blog send me an email and I will post on your behalf, so that everyone knows which month you would like.

9.

NEXT MEETING (MARCH)!!
Book: My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
http://www.jodipicoult.com/my-sisters-keeper.html
Facilitator: Jess KB
Location: Jess's house again (if I am too far away please say something soon so we can arrange an alternate).
When: Tuesday, March 24th 6:45-9:00pm
Contact: jess.kearneybryan@gmail.com
Blurb: I chose this book for several reasons. First, I have a degree in genetics and worked in a leukemia lab for 2 years. Any type of fiction with a loose scientific base is fun for me. I think that with the advances that are being made in biological engineering and cellular science, this theme is not as far-fetched as people may realize. I believe that there will be A LOT of good discussion stemming from the novel! It seems that for a group like ours that has dwindled a bit, something that has been successful in past groups seems like a good way to re-energize us!

APRIL
Book: Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
http://www.bloomsbury.com/Authors/article.aspx?tpid=548&aid=5914
http://www.bloomsbury.com/authors/details.aspx?tpid=548
Facilitator: Diane Chin
Location: Diane's house (Ballantyne area)
When: Tuesday, April 28th 6:45-9:00pm
Contact: dianejchin@gmail.com or jess.kearneybryan@gmail.com

10. I did several hours of research on books that are good for discussions in a book club and both of these titles popped up in many of the sources that I read. I printed out a long list of titles that other groups have used, including the Oprah group, Today Show group and various other well publicized book clubs. If you are hurting for a title but want to facilitate, I would be happy to forward the list.

11. I hope that this doesn't seem to militant. But in fairness, 1. its a lot of work to prepare and have no one show up, and 2. sometimes its easy to get sidetracked and then people who really want to discuss the material are short changed.

12. There will still be snacks. ;) I hope everyone is having a great week. I am sorry that I have let the group slip a little. Let's rebuild together!

Please respond if only to say..."yep I got it and please don't delete me!" or "jess you are annoying, please take me off the list."

Other comments and suggestions are also welcome.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

February Book Club

Hello everyone!

I hope you all survived Friday the 13th and Valentine's Day!

The email for this month's book club went out yesterday. Hopefully everyone got it.

I am working on the feedback from my mini survey. Thanks to everyone who participated, it was very helpful!

Because I am trying to juggle a few too many things this month we are going to stick with Thursday night (26th) and vote (on days and times) at the meeting. If you can't make the meeting because it is Thursday then just send you vote via email. It will be 700 at my house. Directions to follow.

This is an open discussion of all the books we have read this year, including Angry Housewives. It will mostly be a "let's try this" meeting where we re-write the list with more input and chat about books, reading and life. Likely there will be snacks. =)

Please RSVP via blog or email so I can get a head count.

Thanks!
Jess

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

January Book Meeting Cancelled!

Hello everyone.

Because there were only 3 confirmations (one that was iffy) we will postpone book club until next month. Please see the email.

I am trying to re-evaluate to make sure that the meetings are convenient for as many people as possible.

If you could, please send me a message with the following info:

1. Are you still interested in our group or do you want to be removed from the list.
2. What days/times are best to meet
3. Any other suggestions.

Thanks! Please email me with questions or comments!

jess.kearneybryan@gmail.com

Thursday, January 15, 2009

January Book Club

Hey everyone!

Book Club is next Thrusday (January 22nd) at 700pm.

The book is Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by L. Landvick.

If anyone is available to volunteer their home please let me know.

RSVP if you can come...completion (or even starting) the book is never a prerequisite.

Take care!
Jess

Sunday, December 14, 2008

December Book Club

Hey All!

Just a reminder that book club is this Thursday (December 18th) at 700pm.

The book is The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore.

We are also doing a holiday book exchange.

The meeting will be held at my (Jess's) house. The directions and info are in the email that was sent this evening. If you didn't get it...shoot me an email and I will forward it to you (jess.kearneybryan@gmail.com).

Please RSVP either here on the blog or via email.

Take care and I hope to see everyone on Thursday!

Jess

Saturday, November 22, 2008

December Book Club - The Stupidest Angel

Our next book is "The Stupidest Angel" by Christopher Moore - or any holiday book you want to read!

The date will be Thursday, December 18th!

The location will be in Indian Trail - more info to follow via e-mail.

Michael recommended a fun Christmas gift giving book exchange! Everyone is asked to bring a gently used book from their shelves all wrapped up in pretty wrapping paper. We'll play the game and everyone who participates will walk away with a "new" book!

Hope you can come! RSVP to any e-mail to Jess or me OR post via a comment on this blog posting.

Happy reading!!!

Ashley

Thursday, October 23, 2008

November Book Club

Hello all!

Next month's meeting will be November 20th at 700pm. Vicki has agreed to host us again! Thanks!!

The selection is Stiff by Mary Roach. Seems like a very quirky and unusual read that I am very excited to start!

http://www.maryroach.net/stiff.html

Please respond to the blog or my email if you are planning to attend...or if you aren't but would still like to say hello. =)

Take care!
Jess

Friday, September 19, 2008

October Meeting: Oct. 23rd @ 7pm: EAT, PRAY, LOVE

The book is "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert.

Meeting is on Thursday, October 23rd @ 7pm.

Vicki is hosting. E-mail: curleev1@hotmail.com or 704/847-3219 for directions!

If a few can plan to bring a snack (or wine) that would be great.

RSVP for event by commenting to this post!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

September Meeting Tomorrow!

Hey all!

The meeting tomorrow is at Lisa's home again. Please refer to the email for further information. If you did not get the email you can contact her for directions at lmvargo@hotmail.com.

The meeting is at 700pm.

You do not have to finish the book to come chat with us!

Please RSVP by posting a reply to this blog.

Thanks!
Jess

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

September Meeting: THURSDAY the 18th @ 7pm

Please note the change from Tuesday to Thursday!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Book: The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas (recommended by Jess)
Where: Lisa Vargo's home: please see directions from last month or email Lisa for directions: lmvargo@hotmail.com.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please note that it is approximately 1,500 pages in length (my Modern Library copy is 1,462 pages).

Abridged versions are significantly shorter if you don't have the time!

I have heard comments flittering quietly around that leads me to suspect that some readers are intimidated by this book. Don't be! This is one of my favorite books of all time: it has romance, adventure, deceit, revenge, and probably the best prison break of all time in my humble opinion.

I highly recommend you check out this great web page: http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/montecristo/. There, you will find a very thorough and helpful FREE (and printable) guide on the book, which includes the following:
  • Context of the book
  • Plot overview
  • An in-depth character list and analysis
  • A section devoted to major themes, motifs, and symbols found in the book
  • A review of "what happened" broken down by chapters (a true lifesaver in the event you complete a chapter and realize you have no idea what just happened!)
  • Quotations that are important are analyzed and explained
  • Key facts

Want to know more about Alexander Dumas? Click here!

Feel free to post comments to this blog with questions, comments, or further recommendations on this book. That's what this blog is for!

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Update #2 For the Day

Okay! The email has gone out!

If you didn't get it...I don't have your contact info....or I may have missed your email at some point. If you want to be on the email list just let me know.

The meeting will be at Lisa Vargo's home. If you didn't get the email and need directions, please email me jess.kearneybryan@gmail.com or her at lmvargo@hotmail.com

I look forward to seeing everyone this week! Please RSVP if you are planning on coming so we can get an approximate head count!

Jess

Meeting Details

Hey everyone. I will send out the email with Lisa's address this evening. She lives in Waxhaw. If you are not on the email list (you'll know tonight when I post a "the email has been sent") then you can contact Lisa personally. I did not want to plaster her address on the web for the world to see. =) Look for the update post this evening. Sorry for the delay this month...moving is more work than I remember!

take care
Jess