Yesterday, the postman delivered this book. I'm eager to get into it.
As a result of this, for the past few days, I've been thinking about whether I want to stay in the library book group. When we got home from dog-sitting, I asked at the library about the book everyone's reading. I missed the November meeting because we were away and it was just as well because I did not like the book and abandoned it after the first very long and tedious chapter. There were no copies of the current book left so the call went out on the group chat asking if anyone was finished and could hand over their copy. When I learned the book is Funny Girl by Nick Hornby, I looked it up and felt like I really didn't want to read it anyway, but didn't feel comfortable saying, 'Never mind' in the chat. After a back and forth between various people, a woman who isn't finished with the last book yet offered to drop off her copy of Funny Girl so I could read it and get it back to her so she could read it. She dropped it off on Saturday. I read the first section. I was not surprised to find it boring. I'm about a quarter of the way through it and have decided that my reading time is precious and I'm not going to waste it on books I do not like and have zero interest in. Those days are over as my time on earth grows shorter!
Then I started thinking about the group in general. I learned about it in August, but after they'd had their meeting for that month. The first one I attended was in September and the book was American Dirt. It was a good book, but the discussion was pretty superficial. The next book was Charlotte Gray. The book was mediocre but the discussion was better. I missed the November meeting where the book was the tedious Prayer for Owen Meany. Now this one. I might be missing the January meeting as well if I stay in the group and who knows what the book will be. So my track record with the group isn't great. I have only liked one of the four books and the discussions have been a mixed bag. And honestly, I guess I just don't care what people think about this book because I don't care about it myself. The next meeting is two weeks from today so I don't have to decide immediately whether or not to withdraw, but I think I'm leaning in that direction. In the meantime, I will message the woman who gave me her copy of the book so she can have it back.
It was funny, that moment of clarity as I was sitting there feeling a bit resentful about wasting my time on a book I don't want to read. I looked up at the piles of books I DO want to read and thought, 'What the hell are you doing? Put this book down and move along.' So I did. Now I will decide whether or not to put the whole book group behind me. I tried it. The people seem quite nice but the books sadly have not been. This may not be the best use of my time.
10 comments:
It's such a shame but so often these book reading groups start off with good intentions and yes, the people seem nice but so often the book choices can be a let down.
All the best Jan
So true, Jan. Now that I think of it, at the last meeting I attended, no one liked the book!
Totally agree brenda
I know exactly what you're saying. I don't mind reading a book someone suggests if it sounds interesting, but sometimes when I read another suggestion I feel like I'm missing out on what I want to read. I have one friend who makes usually makes good recommendations, and one that has about a 25% good recommendation suggestions. I'm not in an official reading group, but just us friends who talk about books. However, that's all fine when I'm not busy and have time to read. But then my reading time is less...I'm glad you wrote about this because I often have these thoughts too. Good luck with your reading group dilemma.
Hi, Shari. I have never been part of this kind of book club and I am sure I would not enjoy it for all the reasons you mention. I certainly don’t wish to spend my time reading a book that I don’t like, and then be expected to expound on those reasons to others. The only book club I have been part of (sadly it died last year) was a nature lovers group, where you brought a book you had particularly enjoyed and told everyone what you thought was great about it. Now that was really enjoyable! And I got tips on some great titles, too.
Hi Brenda--Hope you're doing well!
That's it, Erika--the time factor. In the last couple of months and even in just the last week, my life has changed somewhat and I don't have the same amount of time that I used to. I don't want to waste what time I do have. I'm pretty sure I'm going to withdraw, which will feel awkward for me. I hope there won't be any insulted feelings--I was asked by several people after the first meeting whether I liked it and if I'd be back. I had reservations at the time but would have felt bad about leaving without giving it a chance. I was happy and excited when I learned the group existed so it's been a disappointment. But in the end I'm sure no one really cares whether I'm there or not--they have a group that makes them happy and I hope that continues for them :-)
That sounds like an excellent group, David. I think I'd love that. Maybe after the holidays I could talk to the librarian about starting something like that. It'd be a different kind of group to the existing one so hopefully there wouldn't be any resentment. It'd also be a good idea because in the existing group they're limited by what books are available in large enough numbers. That wouldn't be an issue with a group like this and as you say, lots of great tips would be flying around and who doesn't need more titles for the TBR? ;-) Thanks for sharing your experience.
And that is exactly why I quit my book club. I had a ton of books I wanted to read and while some of the selections they had might have been worthwhile, it wasn't what I wanted. However, I would be curious about Funny Girl, as I loved the series "Funny Woman" which was based on the book. Maybe you need to see it acted out to really build a relationship with the characters. THe social issues presented were solid and well done -- but that's TV. Who knows about the book.
I didn't know there was a series based on the book, Jeanie. I'm not a TV or a movie person so I doubt that would work for me either. In the part of the book I read, the sexism was handled realistically. It's just that I've been immersed in women's issues for decades and have taught Women's Studies so it was just boring. I've read a lot of other work that was more compelling. And while this has nothing to do with the book, it's depressing how much things remain the same!
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