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Book Club Wisdom

December 4, 2012 by Patricia Sands 8 Comments

I know I keep mentioning the fabulous online community of literati – writers, bloggers, readers, editors, reviewers, designers –  the list goes on – and it’s such a buzz to be connected with all of you. Yes, YOU – because dear readers, you are an equally important part of the equation!

It’s always a pleasure to welcome a visitor and today author Bette Lee Crosby is popping by. We actually got to meet in person last week, to enjoy a delicious lunch, and to talk, talk, talk. What a fabulous time! Bette is as sweet, genuine, and full of laughter as you might imagine from the delightful stories she writes.

Her books are very popular with book clubs and for good reason. Today she is sharing her views about them. Bette’s links are further down the page and … here’s a suggestion … make yourself comfortable when you visit them. You’ll be there for a while deciding which to read first!

With a lovely trumpet fanfare, here’s Bette!Bette Lee Crosby

First, I’d like to thank Patricia for having me as a guest on her blog. I consider myself fortunate to count her as both a friend and a colleague. Patricia and I met in a group of authors that is not unlike a book club. We are a group with a common interest – books. We share family stories, benchmark achievements and industry news…but we also inspire one another. The group has no bylaws, rules or regulations, but what we do have is that all-important bond of friendship.

Half the people you know probably belong to some sort of book club. Most love it, some tolerate it, some claim they’re far too busy to read a book every month, and others find fault with the quality of books selected.

Still the number of book clubs in existence continues to grow, as does their popularity. Why? Although I can’t speak for all groups, I can tell you a bit about my book club. Our members almost never miss a meeting unless it is absolutely, positively, on-your-deathbed unavoidable. Everyone reads the book, and we discuss it at length. We don’t simply decide we liked or disliked it. We study the characters’ actions and alternatives, compare their experiences to our own, laugh at the similarity of missteps and sometimes shed a tear because of their plight. At times a meeting will start with a negative comment about the book but, even that, inevitably leads to an exploration of the protagonist’s motives and ultimately a greater understanding of the story.

Although I am a voracious reader myself, my book club buddies have introduced me to a number of new authors and wonderful stories that I probably would not have discovered on my own. We have over twenty women in our group, and several others waiting to join, but members seldom leave, because book club is more than just a discussion group, it’s an afternoon of unbridled friendship. Of letting go of things you may not have talked about for years and knowing that not one of your friends will think less of you, or carry the tale elsewhere. It’s having a glass of wine, and conversation that is thoughtful, intelligent and stimulating.

Cupid's ChristmasBook club is having twenty wonderful friends, any one of whom you can turn to for help, even in the dead of night. Sure, there have been occasions when I was so rushed that I barely had time to shower before dashing out the door, and we’ve read a few books that were rather forgettable …but I still would not have missed the experience of a single meeting. The books we’ve shared have taken me to places I may never visit, introduced me to people I will never know, and with the turn of a page they’ve transported me back and forth through time. If you’re not already a member of a book club, I urge you to join one. You may not like every book, but you’ll love the experience. Oh, and if I might make a suggestion…select Patricia Sands’ novel “The Bridge Club” for one of your book club picks…I did, and my book club loved it!

Thanks for dropping by, Bette, and for the endorsement! You can take a look at all of Bette’s books by clicking right here on Amazon. Pour yourself a cup of tea, glass of wine, or fruit punch and enjoy perusing. I just finished reading Cupid’s Christmas and it was delightful. A funny, heartwarming holiday read! When you are through there, pop on over to her blog and visit for a while. Another cup of tea, perhaps?

Do you belong to a book club? Mine is an important part of my life and even when some of us are traveling we are able to attend the cocktail party and gabfest meetings via SKYPE. I love that! Online book clubs are also flourishing so even if you don’t have a group of friends nearby that like to read, you can join one of those.  An excellent place to begin is Goodreads.com where you will find communities of readers for more genres than you thought possible. It’s a friendly, welcoming and unbelievably informed website. Hurry on over!

 

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Filed Under: Author Promotion, Blog Tagged With: bette lee crosby, book clubs, Goodreads, The Bridge Club

About Patricia Sands

Family, writing and travel are my passions ... okay, and chocolate ... and I'm seldom without a camera. I write women's fiction and keep in touch with readers by a monthly newsletter that also has giveaways and contests. Come and join us by signing up on the right. See you there!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Angelia Sims says

    December 5, 2012 at 2:30 am

    That is so cool! She makes book club sound so much better than I ever thought of it. 🙂 I wish I had time to read more books. Seems my attention span these days is about the length of a blog post. Lol.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      December 6, 2012 at 10:53 pm

      I know what you mean, Angelia (lovely name, by the way!) ~ it’s hard to find time for everything!

      Reply
  2. kellyhashway says

    December 5, 2012 at 9:02 am

    In a way, I feel like the book blogging community is one giant book club. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Brenda says

    December 5, 2012 at 1:16 pm

    I’ve never participated in book club, but here it sounds lovely. I read a lot ( most writers probably do) but I never know what I am going to be in the mood for… thus the hesitation to join a club. Although, the online aspect, with a glass of wine at hand.. sounds wonderful.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      December 6, 2012 at 10:54 pm

      It is tempting, isn’t it? I’m sure your TBR pile is like mine … dangerously close to toppling over!

      Reply
  4. ontheplumtree says

    December 6, 2012 at 8:11 pm

    Book clubs are so important to new authors. great post!

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      December 6, 2012 at 10:55 pm

      Right you are ~ they are important in so many ways. Some of my best feedback comes from book clubs and the discussions they have. It’s SO appreciated.

      Reply
  5. sheridegrom - From the literary and legislative trenches. says

    December 7, 2012 at 3:40 am

    I couldn’t agree more about the important part book clubs can play in a woman’s life.

    Reply

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