So, as you know, I've been attending my public library's book club meetings over the past few months. I've really enjoyed the discussions and have been making the books for these meetings my top reading priority so I can participate. But this month I was a slacker. Not really a slacker so much as I couldn't force myself to read the book, which is Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Relin.
See, the thing is last year I read Leaving Microsoft to Save the World by John Wood. And, well, after looking at the cover of Three Cups of Tea I decided that the two books are pretty much the same book. And after that I read this review by Lisa over at Books on the Brain and I became even more convinced that I'd have to gouge my own eyes out to save myself the pain of reading this book. So I didn't read it. I did check it out from the library in a mock attempt to get into the book. But it just sat on my nightstand until it was due back.
This really is getting to a point, and that point is this: Should I still go to the book club meeting even though I didn't read the book? Or should I skip out on it?
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You are not a bad, bad book club member.
You are a good, good book club member.
You are a grownup. You can decide if you want to read a book or not.
And you didn't. That's okay.
Go to the club meeting anyway. You will have a lot to discuss about why you didn't read the book.
I'm with debnance: go to book club. The theme of the book is great; the book is pretty bad (I'm half way through the audiobook and really struggling to keep going. I will probably finish, just because I listen to audiobook when I do mindless tasks, so I might as well...)
I don't know if your library club has different "rules" than my in-home book club, but we encourage our members to come even if they haven't read the book. (Of course, if they are consistently not reading, that's a different story!) Maybe through the discussion you'll get a new perspective on the book, or at least be able to share with the group what was so off-putting to you about this book. So I say go to the meeting. :)
I'd go. Who knows maybe it will make you want to read the book. I checked this book out from the library, read about 100 pages of it and then returned it. I hate not finishing books though, so I'll probably get it again.
Hi there -- author's perspective -- go to the meeting anyway. You might fall in love with someone else's opinion of the book and decide to get back into it!
Kelly Simmons
author of Standing Still
Thanks everyone for the encouragement! Maybe I can just talk about the "Leaving Microsoft to Change the World" book and see how it compares?
And Natasha: You're not helping the situation over here. If even YOU can't finish the book, how am I ever going to make myself read it?
I feel bad contributing to your book club delinquency!!
When we had our meeting a couple weeks ago to discuss this book, there were 2 of 13 who didn't finish it that attended, and one who didn't read it at all who stayed home. I think the 2 who came were glad that they did. It was interesting to hear their reasons for not finishing, too. SO I'd say go to your meeting.
I forced myself to finish it because of the book club, and even though I really did not enjoy the actual reading of the book, I did get something out of it. I learned a lot about why Americans are so intensely disliked in that part of the world, and gained some insight into the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
It's just annoying when a book has all the elements of something great, and it falls so short of the mark.
Let us know what you decide to do! I look forward to a follow-up!
Library Book Groups want you to come to the discussion even if you did not read or read and disliked the book. Not ever member likes or will read every book. A good friend runs a library book groups and I have attended these discussions as well. Go and Have fun.
I did not see what all the HYPE was about the book either. I had the audio and it took me forever to finish it. I found parts very very boring.
I agree with those who say go anyway. You can still probably add something worthwhile.
Also, stop on over to my place. There's something waiting for you.
cjh
Is there food? In my opinion, that settles the question for once and for all. If there's food, then yes, if not, then stay home :-)
I read this book a few months ago, I actually found it to be a pretty cool read. However, if you've read another similar book recently, I could understand the feeling. Maybe another time you'll be more in the mood for that type of feel-good book. (I actually had quite a bit of trepidation about this book also, but was pleasantly surprised).
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