Our Shared Shelf discussion

I admit I joined to learn more on the topic and that Emma did a good job promoting this "club", my admiration for her grew.

But you are right! From all the book suggestions I believe I have read probably only one, to my disappointment.

I hope soon I will regain a good reading pace and read more.

I joined from the beginning but it's generally difficult for me to read a book in a month. I think the only one I've read is The Argonauts, and I finished it during New Year 2019 :D I'm about to finish The Color Purple soon (listening to the audiobook mostly). I started Persepolis but never finished it.

Nowadays I still check out every book but I've not started anything after the first six months. I generally try to read in Italian/Spanish/German/Portuguese, and I definitely find most picks too Anglo-centric. (I totally disagree that if you're not american/black/muslim/lesbian, your opinion is not welcome)

I've suggested some books that are already on my list and have been translated into many languages.

Ok so I see this is kinda an old thread but since it’s been revived.... hi, I’m new. Joined a week or so ago. Have Who’s story is this and going to read it this week, looking forward to the discussion, I have some of the backlist ready to read as well.

Maybe we can take time in the new year to resolve to participate more, promote the group to like minded friends and revive things a bit in 2020? :)

For me, I stopped participating a long time ago now. And I did that because I got super busy, got into grad school, moved states away, and have gone off and on of having the extra money to get the OSS book of the month (I could never find then at my local libraries).

I loved participating and discussing the books at first, but as others have said, the conversations became overwhelming. Seriously, there are so many people and so many discussion topics, a lot of which aren't related to the books. There was quite a bit of arguing as well. It felt similar to when you're in a political Facebook discussion. It was just all too much.

In addition, some of the books don't seem that interesting to me. I'm a huge fan of fiction, and would rather talk about feminist themes in a book rather than some of the nonfiction stuff that's been chosen (That being said I had never read a memoir until My Life on the Road, which did spark a new found interest for me, but I still prefer fiction, though). So I lost interest.

I still love the idea behind this group, and I love seeing the interviews and/or author talks that happen, and naturally I love when Emma does them, she was a major draw for me to join the group. And while I did think she would have more of a presence, it didn't surprise me when the monitors took over, nor did it deter me from participating for a while afterwards.

I still check in everyone once in a while. From time to time a discussion post in my notifications will peak my interest and I'll read through it.

And, side note, the amount of reading that I actually do anymore has been very little, sadly. When I do read, I'm genuinely looking to escape modern life in a book, feminist issues included.

I think that OSS does succeed in getting people to read books that they might not have read because of the wide variety that is offered.
I have not been a member for very long and have to catch up a lot, but I do my best, because I really want to participate in the discussions. I think it's great you can learn so much from other opinions. Unfortunately it is not always easy for me to get hold of the books, so I mostly cannot participate in the discussions.

On mobile and can’t “reply” properly

But I agree with some sentiments that I assume Emma is busy and there may have just been a lot of fangirling
I feel this might be different now? When I read online the size of the group and then come here to see the activity level I was a bit surprised, but it seems good- there is daily discussion.

The other issues I find typical of book clubs generally, busy, not drawn to the book etc. They are natural reasons everyone has life going on.

I am wondering though is there a set date that books are discussed or it’s just as comments arrive on the threads?

Jordan wrote: "I am wondering though is there a set date that books are discussed or it’s just as comments arrive on the threads?

No set date, per say Jordan. Given that it is an online book club with people from around the world, there is no hard fast rule restricting when people can read the books or start a discussion thread or comment.

That said, you'll find most activity occurs during the two months that the book/books are featured. Right now in Nov/Dec. 2019 we're reading Rebecca Solnit's "Whose Story is This" and "Cinderella Liberator" so most comments will be for those books more than to say Pachinko or My Life on the Road.

A lot of traction also comes if the author is meeting with Emma or if they agreed to answer our -OSS generated questions. Which happens typically after the first month passes


Otherwise there are miscellaneous topics that get some traction.

I also wanted to add something to this discussion.

I have to admit that my interest for this book club started because of Emma and so did my interest in feminism, but especially feminism is, for me, not about "trying to be like Emma" anymore.

I am not that active here, because I am still a little insecure about my own opinion concerning the topics and how to express my thoughts. But I am working on that.
I also do not read all of the books due to to little time for reading.
But I really enjoy reading the discussions and I find it very helpful for building my own opinion on controversial topics.

Emma wrote: "- Make books more available to people (I think this is an ongoing issue that the mods have been working on with the Pay-it-Forward threads and contests and whatnot. But it would be great if more libraries around the world picked up these books so people can read them if they cannot afford to buy them on their own)"

so every time we're asked what would help us participate more, I mention that perhaps picking books that are a couple of years or more old (and I know there was lots of great feminist writing pre-2018!) would make them more easily available from public libraries and second hand for those on a budget. Secondly, giving people a few weeks advance notice so more of us can get copies of the books in time for the discussion would be great. Personally, I prefer fiction but that may not be the overall preference here.

@Frances: you get a point. The accessibility is hard sometimes, especially for recent books. I'm sure Helen, Meelie, Jo and other mods are trying their best to pick book that are as accessible as possible. That being, the cost, the delay and the shipping may be obstacles but OSS Team cannot do much about it :'( I suppose it's up to the community to make some moves. 1) Pay forward thread, 2) contacting libraries, 3) making donations to library to give free access for other members, 4) give aways and so on... I suppose that if a few of us start to coordinate at small scale and locally maybe it could give a push to the community allowing wonderful initiatives. 😊

Emma wrote: "Oh I never thought about that, contacting libraries myself! That's something we could all do :) I am not sure how to go about that but that would be cool if some people did that!"

I did not think about that as well because I was not confronted with the issue to access books until I decide to not purchase from huge bookstores. In my case, it is my choice but some people don't have options :,(

For sure it's something we could all do! :) It takes a bit of time, it is up to us.

To be honest, when the next suggestion will be proposed it would be cool to create a thread about accessibility in Libraries. Some kind of listing to be built up by everyone, a common effort from everyone for everyone.

Indonesia:
- Library 1: X copy of the book
- Library 2: X copy of the book

Rwanda:
- Library 1: X copy of the book

and so on... :)

Junia wrote: "I am not that active here, because I am still a little insecure about my own opinion concerning the topics and how to express my thoughts. But I am working on that."

When I first joined OSS, I felt the same way. I was intimidated by how much everyone else seemed to know, was afraid of saying the wrong thing, and concerned that some people could be hurtful.

Meanwhile, it is precisely the people who are trying to figure things out that I value hearing from the most because I learn more from wondering. I think patriarchy brainwashes us into thinking that certainty should be a prerequisite for talking, and I've come to see that as a load of B.S.

So for all those people out there who hesitate posting for the above reasons, or are concerned that your English won't be perfect, I believe the group will be richer for your voice being a part of it.

I'm new to this group. I started in December, I believe. I read Call Them by Their Names by Rebecca Solnit and Mother of Questions by Rebecca Soldnit The other books I could not get my hands on.
I think it's difficult to join conversation threads when you can't get a hold of every book to read. Also in my feed I get notifications about every book's comments. I'm getting comments from books that were met read months ago which I didn't read so I have nothing to say about those.
I've been a feminist my whole life which is 55 years. I heard about this group from an interview that Emma did. I did not join this group for Emma. I joined this group for recommendations on books and to hear other people's opinions.
So far, in my month experience, I've enjoyed the books I read I found the very inspiring and thought-provoking.
I haven't felt the need to comment on a thread. While I enjoy reading other people's comments I have so far felt my only comment would be, "I agree."
I don't want to feel pressured to give my opinion on every book that we read. I don't want to feel pressured to join the thread if I don't want to. if I have something to say I certainly would add that in a comment.
In the last 35 years I've marched on Washington for women's rights, gay/lesbian rights and to support Roe vs Wade, among other things.
I shouldn't have to defend myself for not making comments in a thread of a book group.

We all are here from the same reason. To learn , if you don’t know something for sure just ask . Feminism is very wide subject and is changing and progress every minute. So don’t worry if you doesn’t know all facts nobody do. If is the case of language barriers don’t worry we understand you anyway and I pretty sure nobody will be angry or hurt.

PS i am here from beginning and my language is never right . Sometimes is to honest ;) but I am still here ,how ? No idea. I survive or the people whose read my shit doesn’t mind . Any who don’t worry and be happy and change a world.

Hi all,

Agnes, I wanted to reply to the post, albeit 10 months late, because the question you ask is valid and I am one of the people who joined early but never commented (until now).

I admire Emma Watson as a person and as an artist but I joined OSS because of its focus on feminism. I was in grad school at the time (I am finishing this year). I have read the majority of books and reading is not a problem for me even when I am crazy busy because I rely exclusively on audiobooks (OSS titles are the only ones that get me to e-books).

I did not want to comment initially because I kept reading comments and finding new recommendations, and I found it more useful to read (I was learning a lot from different opinions and was constructing my own in the process). Then there was a moment when I got really concerned about my privacy. My GR account is liked to my Fb account, and Fb kept defying regulations. I did I not want somebody creating an elaborate profile of me and using it for purposes unknown to me.

I Nowadays, I rely on face-to-face communication on social topics mych more than I rely on the Internet. I have a group of female friends that I regularly engage with, I have sought ways to engage with and mentor younger women, and I continue reading a lot. I occasionally read comments in this group but I usually get sidetracked when somebody posts a video or a book recommendation - I get out of the discussions kind of unconsciously.

I wanted to write this because your concerns is very valid

All the best and Haply New year!

I joined very early on, still here, don’t comment usually. Feel like we may need an introverts corner, that’s where you’ll find me anyway!

I’ve missed a few of the books but they are either actually on my tbr shelf or at least in my wish list. Haven’t been able to get the Nov/Dec books anywhere cheaply enough and my library doesn’t have them. I want to borrow more and buy less, to support my library this year, but it’s hard when they never seem to have to titles I want.

Speaking of which, has there been a Jan/Feb announcement yet? I couldn’t find one.

Much love to everyone in the book club, and just a thought to leave you with... just because people aren’t posting it doesn’t mean they are not reading. This club and the books in it have opened my mind to so much.

Xx

Thank you Kim. That is very encouraging to hear.

And to answer your question. Nope. The Jan./Feb. Book for 2020 has not yet been announced. Fingers crossed it will happen this upcoming week.

To be fair, reading and not taking part in the conversations is perhaps a lot less like a book club though :D :D

The number of conversations is overwhelming, and often I feel I have a very personal response and/or connection to a book. It makes me nervous to open up to debate about it in case others didn't (for example) like it as much as I did.

Also if I didn't get on well with any of the books I have put it down to my own personal opinion and likewise wouldn't want to ruin anyone else's enjoyment of it.

Thinking back, I dropped out of my English Literature A level because I really did not like pulling books to pieces to get to the mechanics and meaning beneath the words! I always like to just make up my own mind :)

I'm steering clear of most of the more political debates myself, not because I don't think they are hugely important (they really are) but I struggle enough already with social media I can't face more arguing here.

The OSS book recommendations will continue to form a significant part of my reading year each year :)

David, these comments have been flagged for trolling / self-promoting.

Thank you.