Hello book friends! And it's February and spring will be coming - well, in a few weeks. No, we are not having bluebonnets yet, but I'm hoping for a good year and so decided to share a picture of them. Actually, we may not have a good wildflower year because we've not had much moisture and that is needed. We shall see. We did have an ice/sleet/freezing rain storm a couple of weeks ago and got through that. Actually, it wasn't as bad as it could have been because the freezing rain became sleet and that's better for our roads. I know that I've said before that Central Texas does not deal with freezing moisture well. Happily, we're on the other side of it. We'll see if we get another time of super-cold, but hopefully not.
My reading has been kind of slow. I did read 7 books in January and that's OK enough. Attended my afternoon book group meeting and also my mystery book group meeting. I've already shared about the books we discussed. This next week will hopefully include two book groups. Our mystery group will meet Thursday evening and we'll be discussing The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict. I'll try to share what the group thought about it perhaps at the end of next week. I'm also going to attend a new book group that I've visited a couple of times so far, the 2nd Tuesday of the month. It's called a 'Book Cafe' and it's at the library where I volunteer a couple of times a week. In this group, everyone comes and shares what they have been reading, makes suggestions to others for books they might like, and the librarian who leads it usually has a few questions for us talk about or share thoughts on. I wasn't sure if I would like the format, but decided I would try it and I've liked it a lot. The group seems to have about 10-11 people and the reading suggestions have been across all genres, but quite interesting. I'll try to share a bit about what occurs. I will say that it has concerned me that some libraries seem to be sort of phasing out book groups a bit. Has that happened at your library? I'd hate to see 'in-person' book groups that do talk about specific books become a thing of the past. I'll keep attending mine as long as I can.
Hope you all have a good weekend! Are you watching the Olympics? We are and I'm going to close out this post and go watch more. Take care and happy reading! And Happy February!
I really enjoyed The Queens of Crime and liked that she used some of the lesser known mystery writers. Ngaio Marsh was especially fun to see in fiction. My library doesn't seem to be phasing out book clubs thankfully but I've noticed an increase in silent book clubs both affiliated with the library and then just on their own. It sounds kind of fun. I'm not really watching any of the Olympics. The ads and the way the coverage is done always ends up annoying me though I do love figure skating, hockey, and curling.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, I was glad that The Queens of Crime had some of the authors that many people don't know about too. It was interesting to find out more about them. Think the only one I've read is Agatha Christie. Yes - silent book clubs - one of our area libraries has one of those. As to the Olympics, we usually end up watching mostly the highlights shows.
DeleteMy book group really enjoyed The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict. I have't read the one you mentioned. I am watching the Olympics now (although also watching my Blue Devils against Carolina).
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming by, CLM! I haven't read The Personal Librarian, but good to know that your group enjoyed it. I'll pass that along to the group on Thursday evening.
DeleteCLM, my mom's a huge fan of the Blue Devils (my uncle taught at Duke) and was so sorry they lost against UNC. Such a close game.
DeleteThe libraries in Harris County (Spring/Klein area especially) seem to be changing in the wrong direction. It seems they are all stressing digital loans to the point that no one goes to the actual library much anymore other than groups of children for regularly scheduled events. The actual shelves are more bare than in the past with fewer new books and fewer copies of the really popular ones.
ReplyDeleteAnd don’t even get me started on the new shelving ideas that my local library has come up with. It’s not bad enough that short story compilations are just buried among the novels now and no longer have their own little section of the library to call home. Try finding a “best of…” collection when it’s shelved according to the editors surname. Very frustrating.
And the book clubs my local still has seem too worried about political correctness to suit me…sort of book banning in reverse.
But maybe it’s me. Sometimes I do feel out of step with the rest of the world.
Sam, thanks for coming by and commenting! Yes, I think that libraries have changed their programs and ways of connecting to the public a lot. Shelving has indeed been altered at many libraries. I think some do separate out the genres and short stories, etc., but many have just grouped 'FICTION' and that's it. As to digital loans, yes, again. Of course, that's how many people connect with everything. I'm glad that libraries still exist!
DeleteStrange weather we're having so far this year. We've hardly had any rain, and the rhoddie's are already beginning to bloom in spots! Crazy!
ReplyDelete7 books in January isn't bad, Kay. You sure are active with a lot of book groups, aren't you? I like the idea of "Book Cafe." I went to a book club at one of the two libraries near me when we first moved here, but didn't really click, so I never went back. I'm in our Little Whale Cove group, which is enough for me. I don't want to have to commit to too many books each month.
My mom is watching the Olympics, but I haven't at this point. We are going to turn the Super Bowl on later this afternoon since my brothers are big fans of the Seahawks. I just want to see the commercials and halftime. :)
Thanks for the email. Will write soon!
Les, we had noticed that there hadn't been much rain for you guys. Weird indeed. Yes, I have stayed connected with the two bookgroups I've attended for many years and honestly just decided to try this new one. Wasn't sure I would like it, but I have. And there is the deal that you can talk about whatever you are reading. I have talked about the book group selections for the other two groups and one couple has started coming to our mystery book group. The two libraries are not that far apart. We watched part of the Super Bowl and then went to bed. LOL
DeleteI went outside this morning and noticed purple/pink blossoms on one of our trees--and here I had just posted on my blog there weren't any yet! I am glad to hear you are on the other end of that last storm.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to hearing about your Book Cafe meeting and if you come away with any good recommendations of books you want to try. Many of the book clubs my local indie bookstore hosts are hybrid now. It makes it easier for those who can't make it into the store. I've taken advantage of it here and there, but there's something to be said about meeting in person. I think I prefer in-person.
I hope you have a good week, Kay, and month of February. Take care.
Those blossoms, they will surprise you, right? Yes, we can maybe deal with one storm a year of the winter variety. That's enough - ha! I will try to take notes at the Book Cafe meeting and share what others talk about. I also prefer in the in-person meetings. Glad you are thinking about getting back to some of the bookgroups that you've attended in the past. Think you will enjoy that. Yes, you have a good week too!
DeleteI think the Book Cafe sounds interesting! Last year I was part of a group that met monthly via zoom and had a similar structure. The first prompt was always your favorite book from the previous month, and the second prompt varied. It was a lot of fun.
ReplyDeleteMy library in CT has several monthly in-person book clubs. You have to reserve your spot each month (they cap it at 12) and there is often a waiting list for the evening group which meets at a local brewery. They call it "Books on Tap" :) The library here no longer has an in-person book club. It stopped during the pandemic, then we had Hurricane Ian in 2022, and it just never started again. Many of the regulars from 2019/20 no longer live her. I'm not sure if there are plans to begin again.
I hope you have plenty of bluebonnets this year... and I always enjoy seeing your photos, even if they are 'old' bluebonnets!
JoAnn, I think you had told about being part of an online group through Zoom. Interesting that your library in CT caps the number of people. I think the Austin Library has a group that meets at a brewery as well - not one I've attended - ha! Wonder if your FL area will try again with a book group or not. Our neighborhood has one, but it meets in homes in the evening and I think is more of a 'wine and books' thing. I'll stick with my library groups. Also want to let libraries know that these groups are important to some and so please don't stop them - ha! Thanks for the bluebonnet wishes.
DeleteI am glad January is over; I had bronchitis half of the month. But that put me behind in everything except reading. It is been milder here for a few weeks, and I don't know what to expect next weather wise. I hope you continue to have a good selection of in person book clubs around.
ReplyDeleteTracy, so sorry that you were sick in January. Glad that you are better now. Yes, the weather has been a little tough to predict. We are still too dry, but we had such huge amounts in the summer last year with all the floods, etc. Don't want that again. Would be nice if the moisture would spread out a little at a time and not flood levels. Ha!
DeleteSpeaking of book clubs, this morning I noticed that the Goleta Valley Library near me has a bimonthly Horror book club. I don't read horror so I am not interested but I found it interesting that the book club was so specific. I also learned something new. Bimonthly can mean either twice a month or every other month.
DeleteAnd, we have been promised rain this evening. I hope it happens.
I love the idea of the Book Cafe. It would be a fun event even if it was just done now and then, I think.
ReplyDeleteDeb, it has been fun. I went into it with an open mind and just wondered if I'd like it. I have so far. Hope it continues to generate interest at that library.
DeleteMy library moved location during the holidays. I went to the soft opening and now will try to find out if book groups will make a come back. I've been watching Olympic figure skating, skiing and curling. I really want to understand curling! We're supposed to be above freezing temp today for the first time in weeks. Hoping we see the sun as well.
ReplyDeleteMary @Bookfan
Mary, did your library have a new facility built or just move to a new location? Hope your book groups do come back. As to the Olympics, I don't really understand curling either. All I know is that all of these sports are not ones that I would be good at at all! Hope you temps go a little higher! Have a good week!
DeleteIt moved to a new location - the first floor of a new building that also has upscale apartments or condos. It's a beautiful space with lots of natural light and an open feeling.
DeleteWe've had mild weather in the north but I don't think winter is done yet. Interesting about the changing book group format. I guess if people just share their books and not read & discuss books together then that is a bit different than a book club per se. I guess both kinds are a bit beneficial in their ways.
ReplyDeleteSusan, I suspect winter isn't done in your area yet either, but who knows? I just hope that the areas that need some moisture get it, but not all at one time. The floods that were in our area last summer were not fun at all. Yes, it has been a bit curious about book group trends. Wasn't sure if just talking about what you've been reading would suit me, but I've liked it so far. A lot of people seem to not want to be 'obligated' to read a certain book. I keep telling people that no one is making them read the book - try it and if you don't like it, come anyway and tell the group what didn't work for you. Anyway, I'm going to try to take some notes at this week's 'Book Cafe' meeting and see if there are some that I can share with reader here. Have a good week!
DeleteI've never been part of a book club, but the ones where everyone kind of reads what they want and then tells everyone about it/makes recommendations seems appealing to me!
ReplyDeleteAngela, maybe at some point you'll come across one that you'd like to join. You're at a very busy time of life now. I didn't become part of book groups until I was an empty nester. :-)
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