Good. You read.
And … every third month we’ll throw in a nice piece of fiction for good measure! All work and no play, you know.
A unique blog hop that’s an online book club! Here’s how it works:
- Sign up on the InLinkz list below.
Click the button with the frog on it and hop through the easy step-by-step instructions. So simple, a non-writer could do it.
- Find the current month’s book on the schedule below, read it, and on the third Wednesday, post your article.
With each book, pull out two or three things that taught or inspired you and discuss them, or if it moves you, write a review, then post the article on your own blog.
Each month, I’ll add another book to this list, always providing three month’s advance notice for each book. Your suggestions are always encouraged.
- Display the PBC badge along with your article, linking to THE PBC PAGE of my blog.
My PBC page is the only place that the schedule will be updated—please use the PBC page’s permalink when linking to the guidelines.
- After you post, choose three members (or more) from the list to visit, see how the book impacted them, and share in discussion.
Remember that this is not only an educational endeavor, but a social one as well. It’s all about meeting people and discussing similar or conflicting thoughts and ideas.
Mix! Mingle! Have an appetizer!
- Enjoy the book AND the camaraderie.
Invite others to participate. Tell your friends. Two heads are better than one; four heads better than two; and so on, and so on, and so on.
Most libraries have websites now and link to a loan program through Amazon that works with your e-reader (ours does and I live in a very small and rural community). If you have a Kindle, Nook, or other reader, you may want to try that first.
And always—enjoy the book.
They’ve written a short checklist to follow when reading, reviewing, and commenting that I found helpful and wanted to post for your information:
1. Watch your language! Try to avoid words like “awful” or “idiotic”— even “like” and “dislike.” They don’t help move discussions forward and can put others on the defensive. Instead, talk about your experience — how you felt as you read the book.
2. Don’t be dismissive. If you disagree with someone else, don’t refer to them as an ignoramus. Just say, “I’m not sure I see it that way. Here’s what I think.” Much, much nicer.
3. Support your views. Use specific passages from the book as evidence for your ideas. This is a literary analysis technique called “close reading.”
4. Read with a pencil. Takes notes or mark passages that strike you — as signficant or funny or insightful. Talk about why you marked the passages you did.
5. Use LitLovers for help. Check out Litlovers Resources. They’ll help you get more out of what your read and help you talk about books with greater ease.
Dates listed are the blogging dates for that book
Sign Up List
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M.L. Swift, Writer 
my fear of joining a book club is not finishing the book…i want to try this, but will check out the books first and see if i am a good fit. this is a wonderful endeavor! thanks for doing it!
Thanks for keeping us under consideration. Hey…if you don't finish the book, that's okay. Write about why you lost interest or couldn't complete it. We're writers, so every endeavor we try is a story.Hopefully this club will serve as a catalyst and inspiration to sally forth and finish! Thanks for stopping by.
thanks, glad you like it, hope to see you over there often 😉
Swifty,I might have lied to you. I am going to read a book and wondering if you want to add it to your list."Self-Editing for Fiction Writers" How to Yourself Into Print" by Renni Browne and Dave King. It's on Amazon for $7.95. This came to me as a suggestion from Sunny Fraizer, the lady from Julie's blog who thought you looked cute in your blue shirt. I am going to order it and if/when you get to it, I would love to participate. Also I will be watching your lists and if I can squeeze another in, I will be there.Great idea my brother
Hmm… I'm interested, but not sure if I want to get that meta, talking about our opinions about books about writing. 😉 Any idea what the first book is going to be?I could nominate 'No plot, no problem.' 🙂
I have given the PBC a plug as part of my Sunday Salon post. Are you going to set up a separate blog for the book Club? Might be easier for the all the details. Just a thought.
Kelworth…thanks for dropping by. I'll announce the book to read and review for February's inaugural post this Wednesday. Also, the sign up list again. If you'd like to join in, add your name.I'll also announce March's book at that time. April's will be fiction or a humorous memoir, I think…still have a little time to think about it.Write a review…or what you pulled from the book. It can be as meta or non-meta as you'd like.I'll add your suggestion to the list. Thanks! :o)
I'll put that on the list! :o)
Who thought I was cute in my blue shirt? Thought? Have you seen my picture? Buttons have nothing on me! :o)I'll look for that book and keep it in mind. Thanks!
Okay. I'm in for Bird by Bird, too. 😛
YAY! This is gonna be so much fun. :o)