Friday, January 30, 2009

Book Club For Dummies

I don't know how I missed the memo about reading being so great. When does it start? When our kids are 2, like my little Easton who loves books and reading? Will he still love to read when he's 26? I don't think I ever hated reading, but ever since I quit working, became a mom and joined a book club, I have learned that I am FAR behind most other moms.

Going along through school I read all the books I was supposed to for English class or whatever, but I don't really remember them. My reading experience looks sort of like this:

Entire Babysitter's Club Series: Check
Harry Potter: Check
Twilight: Check
John Grisham: Check
And a few various books we've done for book club that I may or may not have finished in time to discuss.

When I first went to our *book club here in Vegas I knew for sure that I was in the wrong place.

Have you read this book? No
Have you read this book? No
Have you read this book? No, but I saw the movie! Looks of death follow that comment.
Do you know how to read? YES!

Where's the book club that reads Harlan Coben and Nancy Drew? Point me in that direction.

Those of you who are friends with me on goodreads will notice that I never update. But every day I receive updates from several friends who have recently read 25 books and have another 30 marked 'to read'. Seriously, how do you do it? I do like to read, but how do some of you read so fast and just fly through books? I sit up on the couch to read a book while Easton is napping, and within 5 minutes I want to go to sleep...not because I'm bored, but because I'm just tired I guess. I wonder if it's because I usually read before bed and so now I associate reading with putting me to sleep. I don't know.

I have really come to enjoy reading more. Those of you who update on goodreads, just do me a favor and write a little note next to the books you read, like " Emily this is not the book for you," or "Emily I reccommend this one, it's short and not too deep." That would be much appreciated!

*I now LOVE our book club and everyone in it. I was just a little intimidated at first.

22 comments:

Lima Bean said...

You crack me up. I have been totally inspired to read more because of goodreads, though. I'm very picky about books that I read--I mostly only like historical fiction and often even in that genre I prefer books written in a women's perspective.

Ilene's goodreads list inspires me like no other. She is a reading maniac. Do you like historical fiction? You might try a few in the young adult section--Jeff loves those and I have loved a few of them myself. Try "Number the Stars",-that is a really great, easy read. Ilene reads a lot of young adult fiction, so she has a great list of those in her profile. You might check that out.

WASHINGTON SOUTHWORTHS said...

I have some very similar feelings. I used to LOVE to read when I had the time in middle school (I dabbled in a little Baby-Sitter's Club, but read a heck-of-a-lot of Sweet Valley High!) and high school. Other than Harry Potter, though, that all came to a screeching halt once I was in college and then married and especially with a kid now! And we all know that I didn't even finish the HP series - I still need to read the last book!

Twilight has been my saving grace. I'm almost through with Eclipse and already have Breaking Dawn borrowed. Other than that, though, I hadn't read an entire book in years. I did miss it, though. But I'm with you, I don't see how some of my friends find the time, energy, etc. to read so many books! Maybe I just need to pick shorter ones. :)

Kara said...

I'm the dummy when it comes to reading. I don't even like to read books, really. I guess I just like TV too much. I'm too lazy to read and I never understand how people can just read and read and never put the book down. I know I used to love reading, but it was "Sweet Valley High" and stuff like that. Since then, nothing excites me too much I guess.

Tara said...

Emily you are hysterical! You are no dummy.

Ok but have you read those books I told you about a long time ago? THEY ARE THE BEST BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ. I put that in all caps so you would understand how strongly I felt about them.:) It's the Mark of the Lion series. There are three books.

READ THEM! (no pressure.) ha ha

Christi said...

You should just be like me and go to book club to eat and hang out :)
I know what you mean. I like to read, but I never have time. I have so much more important things to do like blog, watch gossip girl,and privileged!

Miriam said...

We should be friends on goodreads. Send me an invite to miriam.pope@gmail.com

I personally LOVE to read and always have. My mom used to have to take my books away so that I would do my chores. I think I have already read 7 books this month. :) But, I don't analyze the books, like if the writing is good, etc. I just really like books I can get into. I really like historical fiction books. If you're looking for a good series I really enjoyed the Amelia Peabody books by Elizabeth Peters. The Crocodile on the Sandbank is the first one. Ok, I'm finished now.

Jenn said...

I really only started reading when we moved to Las Vegas, but now I completely love it.

Ilene said...

LOVE the Babystitter's club books. And don't forget Sweet Valley High.

Bravo to you for getting out to a book club. I need to get into the one here but honestly, their book choices seem a bit lame. Is that bad to say?

Kristine is right, I am a dorky reader. I will try to remember you in my reviews. My Young Adult books listed on Good Reads are easy and entertaining reads for the most part. I like YA fiction because the stories are good but light on the sex crap.

Lawther family said...

Don't worry you are far ahead of me. I never enjoyed reading till just now so I am just starting to read. I have read Harry Potter and the twilight books, thats about it! Thanks for sharing your feelings. I should start a book club here. It sounds like fun. :)

Rachel said...

I am glad that you have thrown your worries to the wayside and have come to book club. You picked a great book ("The Giver") for this month. There was lots to discuss, which always makes for a good book club meeting. I also enjoyed the Baby-Sitters club books, but I would like to pick a Ramona Quimby story and see what people think. I really don't see how you can go wrong with a book like that.

Carol and Bruce said...

I love how you have my picture right under your title Book Club for Dummies!!:) I like being in Easton's book club, it's the best.

I feel the same way so maybe I didn't set a very good example but it was reading or clean the house and feed the family plus I have never been able to sit still very long, it felt like reading wasn't doing. Now I don't have to feed the kids (well, I do feed the day care kids, don't worry) and I don't care if the house is clean so I can read without feeling guilty. I still fall asleep easily but am enjoying it more and more.

Lets keep trying!! You better get in the habit before you have to start going to all those baseball games Easton will be playing.

Matt and Shannon said...

Well now I want to know which books Tara is talking about, since I am a book nerd and love reading... I've only recently found time again to read with fewer days in the office. But have you seen my messy house? Reading or cleaning? It's an easy choice for me.

Bringhursts said...

Okay, so I'm one of the nerds who reads a lot. I don't even know how I find time for it with two crazy boys. I read when I brush my teeth, I read when I take a bath, I read when I go to bed at night.

But, like you, I love the trendy books too. I was enthralled with the Twilight series, read every Harry Potter, and girl, I wanted to have my own Babysitters Club when I was little. The thing is, I read so fast that I can't tell you what the book was about after I'm done. But thanks for being a book club constant. You make my month every time I go!

Jill said...

Nah, you're no dummy! Who doesn't love Baby-sitters club and Nancy Drew?! Plus, I love that you feel the same way about the Twilight books as I do.

Chrissy said...

Don't feel too bad, I'm a book club dropout. I was in a book club, but NEVER had the book finished for the club part. I don't even have kids for a distraction excuse. Want to start a book club of children's books? I think I like even easier reads than you!

Megan and Greg said...

Emily, my book list is just like yours. In highschool I didn't ever read the books I was suppose to. I'd read the first page and nothing more. I don't know how I graduated. So you're doin' better than me. And the speed thing just comes the more you read, I've discovered. And some people are just readers. It's ok not to be one. I like reading too, but it's hard sometimes. And yeah, it has to be a fantasy book for me or I just lose interest. Who wants to read a boring book about someone's thoughts? I want ACTION!!! Life has been busy. I WILL call you!

Lindsay said...

I don't know anything about goodreads... maybe i should check it out? It's good to know that i'm not the only person who is kind of challenged in the 'books read' area. I started reading Clive Cussler a few months ago and have read a few, started with Sahara and they are quite good. Good news is Grisham is coming out with another cause I've read all those too, but honestly, that's about it. :)

Jenni said...

All I know is that you're way ahead of me. I read fun things and text books. Someday i'll do grown up reading!

Brynne, Aaron and Cade said...

loved this post! you totally crack me up!

and I wish we had a book club. but now you're making me nervous. maybe I should get started and read a million books before joining one so I won't look as silly as you did??? J/K! :)

Chelsea said...

Ok. It's true Ilene is the ultimate reader. I just try to copy her and hope I look cool. P.S. Just read that you're pregnant! YAY! I'm excited for you. Will you have a cute pregnancy belly and know the gender by girl's weekend?

Margaret said...

LoL. I love you.

I loved the books you mentioned except I haven't read all of Harry Potter yet (I had a hard time getting into it.)

I like to read but couldn't much when I had young kids. Back then I read mostly reference books. Greg used to tease me that when we went to the bookstore I would head to the "reference" section. But I loved parenting books and nutrition books and the like. I honestly didn't read much fiction till Twilight. And that turned me back on to reading for pleasure.

Since then (last year) my favorite books have been the Twilight series, The Host by Stephenie Meyer, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and the last one I read The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester. Of these, try The Hunger Games...it was my favorite one since Twilight.

Simon Family said...

Boy have I missed reading your blog. I'm glad to know I'm not the only college grad turned stay at home mom who doesn't have time to read. And I don't remember what books I read in high school and I don't really care either! I think I would love to join your book club, we could read Calvin and Hobbes and eat ice cream. It would be fantastic!!