A Bloggy Kind of Book Group

Every now and then, I get an . . . itch . . . to do something differently.  
To shake things up.  
To take a bit of a risk.
To try something new.

Today, I'm excited to invite y'all to come along!

Yep.  It's a bloggy kind of book group, and I'll be one of your hosts -- along with Bonny and Carole.

Here's how it works:

Each quarter, we'll read a new book together.  On the first month of the quarter, we'll introduce the new book.  In the second month of the quarter, each of your hosts will put together a post about the book, and in the third month of the quarter, we'll host book discussions on our blogs.  (For now, we'll just discuss the book in our comment sections, but maybe - if this works - we'll get fancy and try something more interactive.)

Want to read with us?

Our first book is Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson, a "powerful true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us, and a clarion call to fix our broken system of justice"*  This book has been on my personal "to read" list for a while now.  I've heard it's excellent -- a book you won't easily forget, one that will both make you mad and give you hope -- and I can't wait to read it with you.  

If you're hesitant because you don't like to read non-fiction, please don't rule this book out!  I've heard it reads like a story, and that even people who don't care for non-fiction find it engaging.  It's been out for a few years now (published in 2014), so it's available in paperback ($7.89 on Amazon, if you're a Prime member) or on Kindle or iBooks (slightly higher $).  I was able to pick up the book at my local library -- there wasn't even a waiting list.

You know what else might be kind of fun?  Just Mercy is coming out in movie form in December.  (It's on my Oscar watch list, and it's getting Oscar-hype already).  Wouldn't it be interesting to have read the book before the movie comes out?

I really hope you'll come along and . . . Read With Us!
(Tell your friends.)

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Please let us know what you think of our plan in the comments.  We consider this a "beta" test of the "bloggy book club concept," and are eager for your feedback to make future adjustments.  

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* A statement made in so many reviews of the book I just don't know who to quote. . . 

 

 

Comments

[Bonny]

I think the plan is brilliant! :-) I've started reading and think you made an excellent choice for our inaugural book!

[Juliann]

Brilliant idea and an excellent choice. I read this book when it was first released and have heard the author speak twice. I’ll pull out my copy and join you.

[Kat]

Somehow my library has a wait list, but it is not too long and I hope to have the book by mid-October! Great idea!

[Patty]

Can't wait and now I know what book to take on my trip! Woo hoo!

[Vera]

Just commented on Bonny's blog that this is such a fun idea - love it! And, the first book looks like a real winner!

[Debbie]

What a wonderful idea! You have chosen a great book to begin with , I read it a few years ago & look forward to reading what you think about it.

[Carole]

Great job presenting our new joint project. I didn't know about the movie but I think that's an awesome incentive to read the book first, too.

[Carolyn S Thomas]

Kym, this book moved me--in a slew of ways. My memory is terrible, and even after a couple of years, the book is still fresh. Quick story: last spring my son came home from school, plopped down at the table, put his head in his hands and said, "I don't know whether to laugh or cry." When I asked why, he said, "We got our state project assignments. Out of 50 states, I got Alabama." When I asked why that made him so sad, he said, "It's a Trump state!" So I told him about Bryan Stevenson, one of the most incredible men in our country right now. Then I dug out my book and he started reading Just Mercy--and he was hooked. But I figured he was a little young... I better look up some advice on kids reading J.M. And guess what!? There's a version for young readers!!! Brilliant.

So happy for this fantastic project you three have put together. Congrats on a fun jump!

[Valerie Musselman]

FWIW Preet Bharara did a podcast interview with Bryan Stevenson within the past year. Look back thru the Stay Tuned podcast archives. It's worth hearing the author speak about what's omportant to him.

[margene]

Well, at my library there are always 51 holds! I guess I'll be ordering it from my LBS or Amazon. It's been on my list for quite some time and I'd intended to read it before now. But now, no excuses!

[Yvonne]

I’m in! Yeah for public libraries...my copy is In Transit should be here by Friday.

[Sarah]

I'm so excited about this! I've always wanted to be in a book club but never been able to find one that seems to go with my taste in books.