Our Shared Shelf discussion
Questions/Ideas/Ask the Mods
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Finding out next month's book title in advance?
Great suggestion! I also live far away, and getting english books can take a lot! This would be very helpful!
Emma, I would also like to suggest that someone set up a referral account (not sure exactly how that works) on Amazon so that a portion of our purchases of your book club books can go to your charity.
I definitely think this is a good idea, but I think it would be better to reveal the books planned for each quarter of the year (i.e. in this case, let us know what we'll read through March, then reveal toward the end of March what we'll read April through June). I've had cases before where I've waited 6 weeks for a book for arrive, and my library never seems to carry more than 1 or 2 copies of most books they have, as is the case with this month's book. I've put it on hold, but I can't say for certain when it'll arrive.
Very excellent suggestion as i live in Pakistan so i ill have to arrange for books very hardly....
Thanks guys! I'm glad you're liking my suggestion! :)
thanks ardit ! I sent (twice) the same request to Emma via Twitter
Mod
Emma wrote: "Thank you for this suggestion Ardit. on it ! xx"You're very welcome, Emma! Really enjoying this group. I find the discussions incredibly interesting! I haven't gotten around to reading the book yet but I will start tonight! xx
Mod
THE GAY REVOLUTION: The Story of the Struggle by Lillian Faderman (Simon & Schuster)
Other books have purported to explain how the unruly LGBT movement achieved its triumphs. This one — compulsively readable, carefully anchored in the historical record, overflowing with riveting stories and thoughtful analysis — succeeds.
M TRAIN
by Patti Smith (Knopf)
Patti Smith’s new memoir is as perceptive and beautifully written as “Just Kids,” her National Book Award winner set in the New York art scene of the 1960s and ’70s. But it’s less linear — the excursive record of a lifelong pilgrim over the 40 years since her groundbreaking debut album, “Horses.”
THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM: Why Science Is Still a Boys’ Club
by Eileen Pollack (Beacon)
Some 40 years after graduating from Yale with a bachelor’s degree in physics, Pollack — now a university professor of creative writing — conducts a sort of academic “autopsy” of her experience and the barriers that still confront women in science.
ORDINARY LIGHT
by Tracy K. Smith (Knopf)
A memoir about growing up in a loving, middle-class black family and the rites of passage a daughter endures to grow and break free. You don’t have to know Smith’s Pulitzer Prize-winning poetry to appreciate her ability to write in a way that feels both unique and universal.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Women Men Work Family
by Anne-Marie Slaughter (Random House)
Growing out of her controversial magazine article “Why Women Still Can’t Have It All,” Slaughter’s book is a radical manifesto. Her central thesis: “The discussion must move from being about work-life balance to discrimination against care and care-giving.”
Should all the suggestions involve only the ones that are talking about the feminism or not? If it is what should we pick?
thats a great suggestion! i have to travel quite a bit to get to book shops since there arent many by me, so that would be very useful. Also, a good feminist book is 'Everyday Sexism'. I haven't read it but my friend has and she loves it! :)
Great suggestion! It will make reading the following month's book much easier.
Great suggestion:) Same here in China, u have to wait a long time till the book arrives.
I highly recommend that anyone traveling or having trouble accessing the books in time, to get a kindle, e-reader, or get the kindle app on your iPad/tablet device. It's a great alternative to buying lots of physical books. Of course, nothing beats that feeling of holding a precious book or writing in the margins. But you can take notes and highlight in a Kindle. Also, e-books are usually cheaper, so even with the initial cost of the device itself, it makes up for it along the way. Plus you have every book for life and never have to purge the book to make more space. And! If you have a library card you can rent books as well. My kindle is my best travel companion! My two cents :)
It was mentioned in another thread that perhaps books that have been published in more than one language could be chosen as for some members English isn't their first language. Also if they could read in their first language it might be easier for them to get copies.
The suggestion of the book what I give you are from 2015 so they probably are in variety version of language.
Great suggestion, and if some of the books could be slightly older (be available in paperback versions) it'll be cheaper an the library might actually stock them.
Yes Ardit I agree! I would like to know ahead of time to get it from my library!
Mod
So are you Mods involved in every months book choice? Did I get that right?Greets x
Mod
Hope it helps! :)
Ana wrote: "Hey everybody! There'll be an announcement pretty soon, so keep your eyes peeled! We're hoping to reach even more people with February's choice, which will surely be available in quite a few langua..."Excellent. I am hoping to be able to get the next book from my library. That's what I need to do financially, instead of purchasing each month. I'm hoping to be able to participate this time!
Katrina wrote: "I definitely think this is a good idea, but I think it would be better to reveal the books planned for each quarter of the year (i.e. in this case, let us know what we'll read through March, then r..."Is there a way to add a "like" button to the thread?
Also, getting 3 months advance notice for 3 to 4 months of books, will probably help out the vast majority of those in countries who have more red tape associated with getting their hands on such books (closed-mindedness, tariff rules and/or other issues.) Thanks!
Ana wrote: "Hey everybody! There'll be an announcement pretty soon, so keep your eyes peeled! We're hoping to reach even more people with February's choice, which will surely be available in quite a few langua..."Aaargh, not pretty soon enough :)
Kodak wrote: "I know it's frustrating, but it is much sooner than you think. And that's all I'm saying ;)"Okay, okay :) We're complaining, but you all do a great job in here. The first book was so interesting that we want more now :)
Today being the 1st, I figured we would have surely seen something by now. I think advanced notice is nice, but by now I just feel anxious.
I am still waiting for January's book. I am number 43 (in waiting list) in Chicago's library. I'll read it regardless but i am missing all the fun! It would so help if we know in advance :)
Kodak wrote: "It may be Patti Smith's "Just Kids', as it's marked as 'to read' on her bookshelf. Looks good, may go for the audible version as someone reviewed it, saying Patti narrates, sings, and reads her poe..."That sounds awesome! Also Patti has a new one out as well, M Train... I've had a lot of people tell me I should read Just Kids so that would be great to read...
Well Gloria Steinem just tweeted about a book she is reading. Makes you wonder ...http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/16084...
Yioula wrote: "I am still waiting for January's book. I am number 43 (in waiting list) in Chicago's library. I'll read it regardless but i am missing all the fun! It would so help if we know in advance :)"you can always try awesomebooks or bookdepository! :)
buying online has its perks!
Yioula wrote: "I am still waiting for January's book. I am number 43 (in waiting list) in Chicago's library. I'll read it regardless but i am missing all the fun! It would so help if we know in advance :)"I'm next on my librarys list but the book is due back at the end of Feburary!!!
Ardit wrote: "Dear Emma Watson,This book club has just started reading its first book, and while that is amazing and wonderful, I do have a suggestion for February. Not a book recommendation, though! :)
I don..."
definitely agree a heads-up would be good as i only work part-time and cant always afford to go buying a book that would get to me in time to read anyway. Library is my friend!
I agree with figuring out books on a quarterly basis. It is hard to get these books in small towns to begin with and I already fear that I am not going to be able to get the next book in time. Plus, if they are done in this way, Emma has more time to figure out what is next.
Ardit wrote: "Dear Emma Watson,This book club has just started reading its first book, and while that is amazing and wonderful, I do have a suggestion for February. Not a book recommendation, though! :)
I don..."
That is a great idea. I think this book club is awesome, but if it is supposed to continue and attract new members the Book if the Month has to be communicated on time! This would help to acquire the book and also to invite friends to read the book as well and join the club.
I agree with the suggestion, it is hard to find books abroad and not all translated to different languages. Even Kindle is a good option, it is better to know which books we are going to read. And for reader addicts, to include those books in your year reading plan. Well, while waiting for the book of this month, I started one that I know I will finish soon.
I was hoping to have ordered already, as soon as it's announced everyone will be rushing to purchase or request from their libraries meaning it may be hard to find. Another suggestion would be to set up a time and date of when the book will be announced eg the first of the month and at a suitable time. I've been checking a lot to make sure I don't miss it but it's frustrating too. I think people may stop checking after time, without communication we don't know what is happening and I've already started reading another book.
Anna wrote: "Another suggestion would be to set up a time and date of when the book will be announced eg the first of the month and at a suitable time. I've been checking a lot to make sure I don't miss it but it's frustrating too. I think people may stop checking after time, without communication we don't know what is happening and I've already started reading another book."Yes! Please can we be given an indication of WHEN the announcement will be - I'm checking obsessively and it is getting frustrating!
Yes just an indication would be nice- I couldn't read January's book so I'm desperate to get involved now!
This book club has just started reading its first book, and while that is amazing and wonderful, I do have a suggestion for February. Not a book recommendation, though! :)
I don't know how you plan or choose what books we read each month, but my suggestion to you is:
If you know what book we're going to read in February, it might be better to tell people the title of the book during the last two weeks of January, or the last week of January. A lot of us live in countries where English books aren't always easily accessible, and it can take up to two-three weeks for books to arrive from Amazon, Bookdepository, etc. to countries like Sweden, Italy, Germany, Brazil and more.
Letting us know in advance would make sure people all around the world receive books at least during the first week of February if they've ordered in the last week of January, for example.
It's just a suggestion. I hope that's okay and that it all made sense. :)
Love this book club already, thanks for creating it! x Hope you have a great day!
Ardit Haliti x