Hi there!

Summer seems the perfect time to find a great new book and talk about it with a group of friends, doesn't it? Time seems a bit more elastic, and you feel more free to relax and enjoy yourself.

Ahh, but then you have the problem of everyone going on vacation, and scheduling a regualr, weekly or even biweekly event can get a bit more trying when you have other friends and family dropping in for visists, trips all over, backyard cookouts and all the other joys of the warm weather competing with your attention...

How does your group handle Summer? Do you meet less often? Move the time to perhaps a daylight meeting? Are your reading choices different?

There are so many of us looking to make our own groups more fun; share what your group does to make the summertime still reading time and see how the rest of us do it as well!

--Anne

I polled this question to my group last year and everyone pretty much agreed to continue meeting and reading as normal. (We meet once a month - the last Thursday).

We've decided that if someone can't make it, that's fine. But we didn't want to disrupt the meeting dates because of summer. I have noticed though, that the members that have selections in the summer months, choose lighter and smaller books which makes it easier since the summer is a busy time for all.

We say, "continue reading" - don't stop.

We continue to meet all summer. The only month we don't meet is December. We don't really alter our book selections. We just read whatever is suggested. We only have six members and we try to meet whenever we all can be there but during the summer sometimes this just doesn't work.

Our group also continues to meet all summer. We juggle our schedules a little more but it really wasn’t difficult last summer and this summer seems to be going fine.

December is more of a challenge for us than the summer

We all teach school and when June 1 gets here everyone seems to go different directions. I'm just checking into your messageboard and wondered if we could set up our own "group" within your messageboard for our discussions.

Our group meets in the summer - we meet once/month all year long. We do try to pick "lighter" reads during the summer months. Every July is our annual brainstorming session and cookout when we pick our reading selections for the next year.

We know that everyone gets busy off and on and may or may not make every meeting. But we also encourage all to attend even if they haven't read this month's book.

Carolyn
Dust Jacket Divas
Des Moines, IA

We meet year round and nothing really changes during the summer except that we do "vacation" weekends in August where we go to one member's vacation house and spend a weekend together, which includes that month's book discussion. These weekends are not unique to the summer. One of our members moved away and we typically do a weekend in her community in October. And we started doing a long weekend in spring to attend a Shakespeare Festival. This travel together has really bonded us a group. We'll have our 23rd anniversary this fall.

quote:

Originally posted by BB:
We all teach school and when June 1 gets here everyone seems to go different directions. I'm just checking into your messageboard and wondered if we could set up our own "group" within your messageboard for our discussions.

Surely; just use the NEW button and set of a topic; I'm sure you'll find other eager readers to join you in your discussions!

--Anne

We meet all summer with our regular schedule. At our July meeting we go to a member's house for a margarita party. We try to read something lighter than usual so the discussion is shorter and we have more time for the party part of the meeting. We have been together for 5 years and this has been a really fun time for us.

quote:

Originally posted by perennialreader:
We meet all summer with our regular schedule. At our July meeting we go to a member's house for a margarita party. We try to read something lighter than usual so the discussion is shorter and we have more time for the party part of the meeting. We have been together for 5 years and this has been a really fun time for us.

Hi there!

You know, a margarita party sounds delightful right about now. I just may suggest it to my own group, along with a pacnic or two -- somehow I think being outside is going to be a lot more fun, as a group, than sitting inside, AC or not.

Hmm... now, what book would you all suggest that would go best with margaritas? -g-

--Anne

During the months of June, July and August we meet at a coffee shop that also serves lunch, The Blend, for lunch and discussion of our book which has been a fun change. We meet every month reading a variety of different books and normally meet at a church.

Our group meets just once during the summer (once a month the rest of the year)for a swim-barbeque-discussion party. It is the only time family members are invited. We meet at a members home who has a pool in the late afternoon, then have a brats and burgers potluck dinner, and then have our regular book discussion. Some family members join the discussion and some just return to the pool (or go home). We try to choose a book with general interest. Some of our choices have been "Cold Mountain, a great success: "Poisonwood Bible", the husbands hated it, we loved it: and My Sister's Keeper," a great discussion with follow-up questions to the author who answered promptly. Our current book is "The Kite Runner."

quote:

Originally posted by violetmisty:
Our group meets just once during the summer (once a month the rest of the year)for a swim-barbeque-discussion party. It is the only time family members are invited. We meet at a members home who has a pool in the late afternoon, then have a brats and burgers potluck dinner, and then have our regular book discussion. Some family members join the discussion and some just return to the pool (or go home). We try to choose a book with general interest. Some of our choices have been "Cold Mountain, a great success: "Poisonwood Bible", the husbands hated it, we loved it: and My Sister's Keeper," a great discussion with follow-up questions to the author who answered promptly. Our current book is "The Kite Runner."

Violetmisty--

How is your group enjoying 'The Kite Runner'? I have been wanting to pick it up myself, but am not sure if I'd enjoy it. I'd love to hear how others feel about it, and why they liked to hated it. With so many wonderful books out there waiting for me this summer, I'm leery of grabbing a title just because I seem to see it everywhere.

--Anne

My group read Kite Runner last year.

It is a beautiful story. The emotions and characters in this book are unforgettable. I truly haven't read a great book like this in a long time.

Anne, I, too, had no interest in reading it because of all the hype. And, if it wasn't for a member choosing it in my bookclub, I would have never read this book. I'm thankful it was chosen.

This book should be read by all. I would definitely recommend this book.

I have picked the Kite Runner for our July book. I haven't started it yet, but have heard nothing but great things about it. That is the main reason why I picked it for our group. I will let you know how we liked it after our next meeting at the end of July.