CC Book Club

[CCBookClub]

CC Book Club Members
ajlanden
Astara (skipping May)
Chris~n~Jen
endymion411
FutureGallucci
houseblend
isobel
JRose
kugrrly
LaughAtlantis
lawyergirl25
lawyerlee
LovinLife
MaineBelle
mili04
MLA
MSH
Nikker
PineKnot
Sherb
StacieLady
TracieB
vee05

[CCBookClub]

Book List

April ~ Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire DONE!

May ~ The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion DONE!

June ~ The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith

July ~ The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult

August ~ The Known World by Edward Jones

September ~ Gilead: A Novel by Marilynne Robinson

October ~ Veronica by Mart Gaitskill

November ~ The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant

December ~

[CCBookClub]

Book List cont..

[lawyergirl25]

Yay! I'm checking in!

Um, I still haven't started reading Wicked yet. :( Between the new house and my crazy work hours, I haven't been able to start. However, DH will be out of town tonight, so I'm hoping to get a good chunk of reading in tonight.

[isobel]

I'll join for May at least since I am currently reading The Year of Magical Thinking.

[TracieB]

Subscribing... still haven't received the book. Argh!!!

[Astara]

I would love to join~ This looks like a lot of fun!

[mili04]

Wicked is supposed to arrive on Monday or Tuesday. I was hoping to start reading this weekend, but that still should give me plenty of time to finish before we start discussing on the 25th. :)

[Astara]

I'm going to borders today.. hopefully they have it there.. I dont want to wait for it to be shipped! :O)

[vee05]

Hopefully my book will arrive this week...ive been waiting for 2 weeks now :mad:

[vee05]

suscribing!

[endymion411]

finally picked up the book from the library today!

[vee05]

me book came finally!!!:D

[mili04]

My book came yesterday. Can't wait to start reading it today!

[Astara]

yay to everyone who finally got their books!! ;)

[Chris~n~Jen]

Looks like a lot of books are coming in. That's good! Unless you all are super readers, I'm thinking we may have to push back the deadline for open discussion. :D We'll evaluate where everyone is around the end of next week. That way we can determine how much more time we probably need. :)

I'm just so glad that it didn't take that long for my book to get in. I ordered from Amazon.com on a Wednesday and the book arrived on Saturday of the same week. I didn't do any kind of rush delivery or anything, just standard. I will be ordering more books from them in the future and hope their shipping is just as good.

[lawyergirl25]

I ordered all my books at one time so I'm stocked up through August, I think.

Wicked is taking a long time for me to read. I'm still only on page 120-ish. I enjoy the story, but it's not the kind of book that I can lose myself in, so it's slow going. Probably because I keep flipping back to the map to figure out what the heck they're talking about and I have to use the dictionary a bit more than usual. *embarrassed*

[MaineBelle]

I bought the book and am reading away. It is not the type of book that I would usually pick out to read, so I'm glad that this book club is broadening my horizons. The musical is in the theater here, so once I finish I am going to try to get tickets (it is all sold out, so I'll have to try to get Day Of tickets).

One note (maybe I should save this for the discussion part, let me know) - I feel like I am reading this book very "shallowly" and just taking in the story on the surface. I know there is all kinds of deepness and symbolism but I haven't been grasping it. Maybe I should start to pay more attention.

[Chris~n~Jen]

Wicked is taking a long time for me to read. I'm still only on page 120-ish. I enjoy the story, but it's not the kind of book that I can lose myself in, so it's slow going. Probably because I keep flipping back to the map to figure out what the heck they're talking about and I have to use the dictionary a bit more than usual. *embarrassed*

ITA! I am going through this book a bit slower than normal for me. I wouldn't be embarassed about using the dictionary. At least you are looking the words up. I just seem to skim over them and figure I'll get the meaning eventually. :o

I feel like I am reading this book very "shallowly" and just taking in the story on the surface. I know there is all kinds of deepness and symbolism but I haven't been grasping it. Maybe I should start to pay more attention.

I am doing the same thing. I seem to be skimming over a lot of the meaning. I think when we get to the discussion some of the symbolism will be discussed and then I'll "get it". I think at that point a lot more things will come to mind and I'll put it all togeather. KWIM?

[ajlanden]

AHHH...I FINALLY recieved my book today too! I have learned a lesson. I need to order the next book TODAY. I will read as fast as my little eyes will carry me!

[ajlanden]

Got my book yesterday and read to pg 64 last night! :) I am proud.

So far, I really like it. Lots of big words that I don't get, but other than that, no complaints. DH was excited by the map because it was like Lord of the Rings! Gotta love boys. :D

[Chris~n~Jen]

Wow Ashley, good job! I'm impressed! :D

[CCBookClub]

Here is the link (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?p=672499#post672499)to the Wicked thread!

I'll randomly post discussion questions until the post opens for discussion.

Please do not post any responses in that thread until we officially open for discussion. I'm just getting the thread started and posting questions to provoke thought while we are all reading. :D

[vee05]

Hiya ladies i have to say im having a hard time reading this since its my first book in a really long time...the words are big and i sometimes forget what its about :) Hopefully with DH away this weekend i can get some reading finished off :)

[endymion411]

i have to admit, i haven't started reading yet. i'm juggling so many books for school and have a bunch of papers to write---hopefully i can get to it this weekend!

[Regina Phalange]

Half way through. Actually I was sitting outside today reading for an hour and got burnt. Wicked!

[lawyergirl25]

I talked with a friend of mine yesterday about the book (she just finished it and bought tickets to see the show in Detroit). I was telling her how discouraged I was that I wasn't getting more into the book. When I told her I was only about 1/3 of the way through the book, she just said KEEP READING. Apparently it will start to fly shortly. So for those of us having a hard time with the book, just keep going, it will get better!

I asked her several questions about the opening chapters - little things that weren't really explained. She just kind of smiled and said, "You'll see..." I'm intrigued! :)

[ajlanden]

Just checking in to see how am I progressing in the book...I am on page 200 or so. How about everyone else?

Actually I was sitting outside today reading for an hour and got burnt. Wicked!
LOL!

[Astara]

I am I almost to page #200. Hopefully tonight I'll be able to get more reading in while DD is asleep and DH is out with friends. At first the book was hard to get into (esp with the words I didnt recognize), I actually thought it was a bit boring. Now though I'm really into it and I think it's really good!

[Chris~n~Jen]

I'm going to make it past 200 tonight. I think I'm around 180 something right now. I do most of my reading on the weekends and the last three I've been traveling. I am so looking forward to just relaxing and getting a lot of this book read this weekend. Like Astara, at first I was having a hard time with the book. But now I'm really into it and like it a lot. I'm anxious to see where it goes.

[lawyergirl25]

Um, yeah, I'm holding steady at 150-ish. I'm hoping to get some major relaxation and reading time in this weekend. This book is getting more and more interesting, especially since you can kind of see who the characters are going to become (spoiler??) and what's shaping them. I'm still not all about the book, but I sure do like it a lot more as I'm getting further into it!

[endymion411]

i finally got started on the book, but i think i'm going to have to hold off until the next book. with finals coming up, leisure reading just isn't happening right now!

[MaineBelle]

I'm on page 270 here. Although I am trying to finish it as quickly as I can so I can try to get day-of tickets to the musical.

[mili04]

I read a lot last night before bed and got to the last section. I'm hoping to finish this weekend. Although this book took a while to get in to, I thought the middle moved pretty fast.

[lawyergirl25]

I'm going to try to read 50-75 pages tonight. I can count on two hands the number of people I've talked to in the last 2 weeks who have said they love this book and that the end is SO GOOD. I'm anxious to get on with it! :)

[kugrrly]

I am joining in a bit too late. I think I will start up with the next book. It sounds very interesting.

[LovinLife]

I am definitely joining up for May.

[mili04]

I finished Wicked over the weekend! Anyone else?

[lawyergirl25]

Uhh...yeah...I'm still only at 225. I worked on the house on Saturday and was in the office all day yesterday. I don't think I'm going to be able to join in the discussion until this weekend. :(

Sorry, guys, I tried.

[Chris~n~Jen]

I just made it into the last chapter last night. I'll probably be finishing up by the middle of this week.

Depending on how many are finished with the book, we may push the discussion back a couple of days so more people can finish up and join in. Otherwise the discussion may be a little one sided! ;)

So if everyone would just post where they are in the book and when they expect to be finished. Then we'll determine the best date to open discussion. Thanks everyone! :D

[lawyergirl25]

If you do decide to push it back, I wouldn't make it for more than a day or so. It's not fair to those of you who worked hard to finish the book in time.

I know I didn't have a lot of free time this month, between buying the new house, moving, and having a nutso month at work, but I still feel like a slacker. I don't want to punish anyone for my slacking.

[ajlanden]

I just got to the last section last night...I read a few chapters in it. I am WAY into it, so I should be done by the end of the week!

Gotta order the May book!

[Chris~n~Jen]

I think we are both in abou the same place Ashley!

From the start we had been talking about pushing the date back a little bit since it took so long for several people to get their books. Also being the first book, we need to see what pace most people are reading at and pace ourselves accordingly. I don't want anyone to get discouraged if they still have quite a bit to read.

I'm thinking of opening for discussion on Friday. Then we would be starting our new book on Monday. This leaves us less days for discussion but it's not like we can't keep discussing this book as we start to read the next one, right. :D

[lawyergirl25]

Friday would be fantastic!

[Astara]

friday would be perfect for me as well!! im almost at p.300.

[mili04]

I hate to be a pain, but could we open discussion earlier than Friday (if anyone else has finished reading)? I'm leaving on Saturday for a vacation.

I guess if no one else is ready for discussion, it would be best to leave it for Friday. If that's what we decide, I'm sure I will enjoy reading what you all have to say when I get back!

[Nikker]

Yeah, I'm only on like pg 150, I will join the discussion later, I will TRY to finish this weekend. Once I get on a roll, I could read all day!

[Chris~n~Jen]

Ok, how about we meet sorta in the middle and open discussion Thursday morning. :p

mili you did so well and actually finished prior to the original opening date that I hate to make you have to wait because of your vacation.

I think a lot of us can still be a part of the discussion even if we're not completly finished with the book yet. Seems like lots of us are almost done anyway. ;)

[Astara]

Ok, I can do Thurs as well!

[lawyergirl25]

I probably still won't participate until Friday. I'm afraid that if I start reading along on Thursday, I'll ruin a lot of the surprises in the book.

[TracieB]

I think I'm going to have to pass on this first book. Believe it or not, it STILL hasn't come in!!!! Dang island living! I'll join in on the next round :(

[MLA]

Can I join??? I read Wicked about a year ago, so it's not too fresh in my memory, but I'd love to join in the discussion. :)

[Astara]

the more the better MLA! ;)

[ajlanden]

I've decided to skip the May book. I'll be back in June!! :)

[CCBookClub]

Updated to here!

Welcome LovinLife & MLA! See you in June ajladen!Sorry it took me so long to update.


Everyone ready for "The Year of Magical Thinking"?:D

[Chris~n~Jen]

I only finished reading "Wicked" last night. So I am planning on picking up "Year of Magical Thinking" tonight. We'll keep the Wicked Discussion thread open for a while still since I know that are lots who are only just finishing up.

Anybody have "The Year of Magical Thinking" and can tell me how long it is? I'm hoping that with this book we can finish up in time to open discussion on the 25th. But again we'll just have to see how it goes. :D

[Astara]

I am also going to be skipping the may book. Be back in june! I hope the may book is a good read!!

[kugrrly]

I picked up the new book at the Library today. :)

[lawyergirl25]

I'm going to be skipping the Wicked discussion. I'm still only on page 330, with no end to 12-hour workdays in sight. I just won't be able to get it done in time to contribute.

I'm going to move into the May book ASAP because I want to be able to participate this time.

[Chris~n~Jen]

I picked up Magical Thinking last night. I'm on the third chapter. This book is much shorter than Wicked. I think it was 227 pages. I could be wrong because I just glanced at it last night. But definatly in the 200's. So I think we should be able to finish reading it by the 25th. :D

[lawyerlee]

Hello! I'd like to join in and participate for May, to begin with. I've had The Year of Magical Thinking on my to-be-read pile for a few months, so this seems like as good a time as any to finally get to it. :)

[Chris~n~Jen]

How did everyone do reading this weekend?

I think I'm just about half way through the book already. So much quicker than Wicked.

[CCBookClub]

Updated to Here!

Welcome lawyerlee! See you again in June Astara.

Here is the link for the new discussion thread. The Year of Magical Thinking (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?p=723150#post723150)

[lawyergirl25]

I started reading last night and already got pretty far. This will be a good catch-up book, even if it is depressing.

[Chris~n~Jen]

I was starting to wonder if I was the only one reading this one. ;)

[lawyerlee]

Hello! :) I've read about 150 pages of it. It's a quick read, but I'm really enjoying it. I think I'll probably finish it up by the end of this weekend. I'm looking forward to the discussion. :)

[kugrrly]

I started last night. I agree with the others it is a quick read. :)

[LaughAtlantis]

I'd love to be added on to the book club. I can't do May but I'd be happy to start up in June!

[mili04]

I have this month's book on reserve at the library. Hopefully I get it in time to read before discussion time!

[Chris~n~Jen]

Finished the book last night! Wow, feels good to be done ahead of time instead of rushing through to finish late like last month. :rolleyes:

How's everyone enjoying it? :)

[TracieB]

Okay, the book FINALLY arrived from Amazon. I swear, it took one month to get here (crazy island living!!!). I'll read, read, read this weekend and join in on the discussion on Monday.

[Chris~n~Jen]

We open for discussion on The Year of Magical Thinking tomorrow!! :D Is everyone finished?

[mili04]

Ugh. I'm only half-way through. I had to give up on waiting for it from the library and buy the book. I read the discussion questions, and there are some I can answer without finishing the book, so I'll go ahead and do that.

[lawyerlee]

We open for discussion on The Year of Magical Thinking tomorrow!! :D Is everyone finished?
I am. Thanks for the reminder. I almost forgot it was discussion time! :o :)

[TracieB]

Perfect timing - I finished last night! (you all were right - it was a fast read!)

[Chris~n~Jen]

Don't forget the "Magical Thinking" thread is open for discussion. Here is the link again if anyone needs it.

Magical Thinking (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?p=758405#post758405)

[CCBookClub]

Updated to Here!

Welcome LaughAtlantis!

I am so sorry for being such a bad threadmistress. :o I promise to be better from now on. :)

[Chris~n~Jen]

It's June so we're on to another book. (Sorry I'm a little late)!

Here is an excerpt from the book if you all are interested.

With the legacy left to her by her father, Precious Ramotswe sets up Botswana's first and only detective agency run by women. My mission she proclaims, is to help people with the problems in their lives. This she does with enthusiasm, entering into a world of missing husbands, imposter relatives, wayward daughters, and abduction.

[lawyergirl25]

Sorry ladies, but I'm out. I have read the last two months' books, but I feel like it's very difficult for me to participate via Internet. I do much better talking about books an in-person discussion format. So I'll be joining a book club around here.

I may check in from time to time if we are reading the same book. Until then, happy reading and good luck!

[TracieB]

I actually have the book early! Woohoo! I'll start reading ASAP... it's been crazy busy at work lately, so I haven't wanted to do anything using my brain at home - including reading ;).

[Chris~n~Jen]

I'm picking up the book tonight. I totally spaced after the last book. Maybe because I was done reading 2 weeks early and also because I really didn't enjoy the book. I didn't get anything "Magical" about it. Sorry I didnt' participate in the discussion, every time I went to my brain would just freeze up and I didn't feel like thinking about it.

So I know exactly what you mean TracieB about not wanting to use your brain. :D

[MaineBelle]

I skipped May - I was on the wait list at the library, and I can't bring myself to buy hardcover books.

I just bought the book for June, and I'll start it after I finish reading my Stephanie Plum book - so I will be participating for June's discussion.

This month's selection looks like a good summer read!

[kugrrly]

this months was a good read.

[Chris~n~Jen]

I'm almost done with it. I've really enjoyed it so far. :D

[TracieB]

I really liked this month's read. Very entertaining!!

[miaclear]

How does this work here? Will you discuss July's book during July while you're reading it or after when everyone is finished? How are the books picked? Is there good discussions that happen?

[Camdynlyn]

I've read this month's book (I'm not a member of this thread) but may join in for the discussion. Also, I love Jodi Picoult's books so if my IRL bookclub book isn't good (we meet tomorrow night), I may do July's from CC!

[Chris~n~Jen]

miaclear ~ Thanks for inquiring. I'd like to see more join us and actively participate. I open a new "discussion" thread for each book. I start off the thread with discussion questions about that months book. I try to have it open for discussion around the 25th. I'm going to open June's discussion thread later today. I'll post the link here. Then when your done reading you head over to the discussion thread and join in. How we selected the books was that in the beginning when there was only about 6 of us, we each put in our request. I then wrote all the titles on little pieces of paper and drew them out of a hat to get the order. (DH was making fun of me for doing this but I really wanted to be fair). As far as the discussion. It seems that some books lead themselves to better discussions. Last months wasn't that great. I think we lost a lot of people. I'm hoping this months discussion will be good. The book was really good.

Let me know if you'd like to join us. We'd be really happy to have you.

Camdynlyn ~ We'd love to have you join us for July. The more the merrier! ;)

[Chris~n~Jen]

Here's the discussion thead for No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency (http://www.constantchatter.com/showthread.php?p=828676&posted=1#post828676)!

I'll be back later to post my thoughts. I really enjoyed this book and it really made me want to read more of the series. I hope you all enjoyed it also. :D

[JamBray]

I'd like to join for July's book. :) I'm always looking for new stuff to read, and would also love to discuss, so add me to the list.

[Katy]

Should we close down the other thread from the other book? If so, please PM a mod

I too have already read this for our LA CC bookclub, so I might join in the discussions as well :cool:

[mili04]

I skipped out on this month (June). I read the book a few years ago, but I don't think I remember enough to discuss. I'm ready to come back in July though!

[Chris~n~Jen]

Hi girls!

I'm wondering if anyone out there would like to take over as threadmistress?!? I know this thread could really be a hot place with someone who can give it the time and energy to keep it going strong.
If anyone is interested please pm me. :)

[Rosebud]

Is the CC Book Club still active? I have a friend who really wants to join an online book club, but I wasn't sure if this one was still around.