Should have read classics discussion

I got this idea from my kid's school library and thought that it might be fun to do it on this site. The premise is that most of us tend to gravitate toward books and authors and then get stuck in a rut, so this "date" is to read a book that you might not pick up and read normally. At the school, the librarian gift wraps books and then the kids get to unwrap the book and read the book with no idea of what they are getting. There would be no timeline on this "date" and it would be just for fun. I'm trying to figure out how this would work, maybe partners or such, and if anyone would be interested. Does this interest anyone?

I think it is a cool idea. I know I certainly gravitate towards familiar books, so being "forced" to read something I am not comfortable with is intriguing. Although I would be worried about receiving something that is totally over my head. But this is a really fun twist on a book club. I would love to see this happen!

Excellent! I'm still trying to figure out how to do this. I was thinking of taking suggestions of books and then using the spoiler link have people pick that way. It would be a level of trust that people don't peek at the spoilers, but that could be a way to do it.

You could have us all offer suggestions then use a randomizer to assign book titles to names and allot books to participants that way.

I think Ella's Gran idea would work best. That way everyone would be randomly assigned a book. I'd be too tempted to look at the spoilers, especially if it was a book that I knew nothing about or didn't understand.

That is a great idea! I guess the only thing left to do is get book suggestions and a list of participants! Who is interested?

ME

Me too!

Sounds fun. I'm in!

I'm in also. I'll give sign up until the 9th then I will get your suggestions from you then. I'm so excited to try this!

I guess I can give it a try. Will there be a deadline?

Nah, the idea is to have fun and try out a new book on your own time I was also thinking that the books should not be too lengthy. Maybe, under 500 pages?

I'd be interested!

Lisa wrote: "Excellent! I'm still trying to figure out how to do this. I was thinking of taking suggestions of books and then using the spoiler link have people pick that way. It would be a level of trust t..."

There is/was another web site where people volunteered to participate in a "choose your partner a book" event. The moderator then randomly (I think she used slips of paper on her dining room table) to choose pairs of participants; each person was given a person to choose a book for, and of course each person got a choice from another person (not the same person unless that happened at random). We were given two months to read the book and then report back on the thread what we thought of it.

In most cases, people would look at their assignee's bookshelf and then choose a book the assignor really liked but thought the assignee, based on their bookshelf, would be unlikely to have read. (One rule was no books over, I think it was 400 pages, unless you ask your assignee first if they will accept a longer book.)

Alright, so I have Ella's Gran, Melissa, Mary, @Emily, Me and Jennifer. Does that sound about right? So, I can either "pick a partner randomly" for you or you could message me your book choices and I can hand them out that way. I rather like the partner idea myself.

I have done the randomizer in my house(aka, my children picked the names out of a hat) and the pairs are: Ella's Gran and Lisa, Mary and @Emily and Jennifer and Melissa. Partners can private message their books or do it on this thread. Have fun with your now date and happy reading!

Ella's Gran, my pick will come later today! Can't wait for yours!

My order was dispatched on 2 March with a 5-8 business days time frame so I'm expecting it to be in my letter box today or tomorrow!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait.

I feel bad that you had to buy the book. I didn't quite realize that it would be so hard to find.

Lisa wrote: "I feel bad that you had to buy the book. I didn't quite realize that it would be so hard to find."

No, no, don't feel bad! I give each of the grands a book as part of their birthday present each year, so I'm always on the look out for something different and new to give them. And I always read them myself before giving them! :)

Anyway, I've got the book - it was in my mail box when I got home so I'm looking forward to reading it on the weekend.

Is it too late to express interest in doing this, since partners have been chosen?

Nope, if anything you and I can exchange book ideas! Perhaps, someone else will join up now also!

I'd partner with Madge. My partner and I haven't decided on books yet. It wouldn't be a big deal to read another book as well.

Lisa wrote: "Nope, if anything you and I can exchange book ideas! Perhaps, someone else will join up now also!"

I would love to be in, but at the moment my eye situation prohibits it. Maybe next time!

I'm waiting for my book to arrive. I am really looking forward to reading something I may not have discovered on my own.