MSE Rabid Readers: reading and discussion club

Firewalker

During the last several days the idea to start a reading and discussion club on the MSE forum emerged. This was precipitated by the publication of the BBC list of the 100 most popular books and genuine interest in reading.

And here is a brand new tread to host the MSE reading and discussion club.

I would propose as a first step to collect suggestions for reading. Se999 proposed on my tread (Learn to control money...) that a set of categories is used by members to suggest books. Se999, would you consider posting the list here, please?

It seems to me that we can just post our five all time favourite books - these may be from different periods of our life etc.

Anything goes - once we have some kind of list we will chose one book, agree to read it within certain time and get the discussion rolling. And of course we can talk in between.

Now off to you reading lot!

Firewalker

se999

Hi, here are my original posts:

"What about having a theme, and asking for people's favorites, then either lucky dip or votes, or pick the more easily available.

e.g.

We could have:

Favorite book from childhood.
Favorite thriller
Science Fiction
Science Fantasy
Favorite Shakespear comedy
Romantic novel
Favorite Austin or Bronte novel
Favorite Agatha Christie
Favorite book when a student
Favorite book as a teenager

I think it would be nice to get a balance of fun easy reads and the heavier books. Both in length and in complexity. Also a lot of the classics can be a bit depressing. I must admit when I came out after watching the stage version of Les Mis, I thought it was a brilliant cast and production, just a pity nearly everyone died!!

If the idea is I think reading for pleasure, finding books that have given people pleasure at different times might give a different list to the BBC, which is slightly dominated by books people have sometimes had to read for school exams etc.. "

"Meant to add to original post, people could suggest other categories too."

The idea of the categories is to get balance by alternating categories. e.g. FW has suggested "To kill a mocking bird" as the first read, it's very easy after that for people to suggest a similar type book, and we'd end up only reading relatively modern serious american classics. So if we pick categories, we could have a childhood favorite, or a romantic one next, and ask for suggestions, unless people do want the reading group to go in depth into classics or a particular genre.

Most of the people who wanted the group are posters on DFW diaries, and the idea is that it is a low cost reading group:

"It's just with it being on mse, maybe not picking the latest bestsellers at premium prices would be good. The slightly older ones are very cheap on amazon and ebay, plus are more likely to be in libraries etc and carboots. Also if we use old copies we're reducing out global footprint relative to buying new."

With "kindles classics out of copyright are supposedly downloadable for free."

So maybe discussing where to get the books cheapest could be part of the discussion, or if someone sees a mega bargain on book people, it could effect our selection of reads too.

savingwannabe

Superb. Well doen. I would love to re-read Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird but i am happy to list my favourite books:

Favorite book from childhood Danny Champion of the World Roald Dahl
Favorite Austin or Bronte novel Jane Eyre
Favorite book when a student Gulliver's Travels - Jonathan Swift
Favorite book as a teenager - blooming heck too old now to remember?

I am happy to read anything people suggest. I love the idea of being able to read again. It will feel like we are in a happy club where we shall gain knowledge and meet the nicest people. Hooray. Well done all.

MrsMoo2U

Favorite book from childhood. Flight of the Doves by Walter Macken
Favorite thriller Has to be Primal Fear by William Diehl but I love lots of thrillers.
Favorite Shakespear comedy - Merry Wives of Windsor
Romantic novel - PS I love you Cecelia Aherne as pure easy read. The Time Travellers Wife Audrey Niffenegger for real romance
Favorite Austin or Bronte novel - Jane Eyre
Favorite book when a student - never had the luxury of being a student but when doing GCSE English Lit I liked The Chrysalids by John Wyndam
Favorite book as a teenager - The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings trilogy.

I also love poetry but guess that isnt strictly a reading club book.

savingwannabe

Hello Cherisong I had better say that Firewalker has moved this thread to DFDiaries as it was easier to access for most people. I will put the new location link here: see you there.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/38806276#Comment_38806276