wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Fran Cohen --
My novel is being published in June, 2009. Its literary fiction. My idea is to give away 100 copies to reading group facilitators. No strings, no obligation. If you'd like an ARC, please contact me at g.graham001@comcast.net
Thanks! Gail Graham

Listeners may want to consider checking with their local libraries for book groups. Most often they are professionally facilitated and offer both a wide variety of discussions and cross section of participants. This would eliminate many of the issues addressed in the article.
Full discloser: I facilitate numerous ongoing book groups all over Long Island.

Deborah, one book she mentioned was The Book Thief. You can listen to this segment of the show to hear the others.

f word at book club, twice? This is a grown up or a teen? Could it be she's just obnoxious. The club preferred a less obnoxious atmosphere, more grown up session, not that they were prissy. what a laugh. The adults are taking their cues from the kids now.

What are the book titles the facillitor mentioned? Can someone get back to me on this?
Thanks

Ari, Barnes and Noble has a list of local book clubs. www.bn.com

Ignore the caution from this woman, it is BETTER to be in a club with Family or Friends.

People are too gullible. Who would pay someone to facilitate a reading club? What a laugh.

I am also looking for a book group in Manhattan - maybe fiction in translation. Any suggestions on how to go about finding one would be much appreciated

I find I interesting that the facilitator thinks that the group should not be made up of friends. Perhaps that is why they need a facilitator. If your book group is made up of friends you can resolve issues and don't need to pay an outsider. I find the idea of paying someone to "facilitate" a book group absurd. If you don't like the group, leave it and join another, it is not like you are married to each other.....

I am thinking of starting a book club with my mother, 2 sisters and 2 cousins. I heard with interest your caution to forming clubs with existing friends does the same hold true for family members.

I think it would be enlightening and make us more aware of each other feelings, interests, etc.

Are there really no message boards devoted to the discussion of different books? If there were a centralized board with threads devoted to each chapter then anyone could join in the discussion of any given book posted. I'd love to have a forum to discuss 2666 on.

I am a part of a small group of 6 formed of a first group of 10, we "the friends" split off from a group where there were strangers, that caused conflict because the reading styles and personalities couldn't come together. They wanted to have a party every month when we got together instead of actually discussing the book. There was alcohol (maritini's) at every meeting.

Where can I find a good non-fiction book club in NYC?

I note that so far, I have only heard women on this topic. Are no men involved in book groups? Don't men read?

I can tell by the sound of that caller that she would NOT be welcome in our group. We do NOT curse up a storm and she sounds overly aggresive. Someone who would try to debate with everyone in the club.

pathetic. only in New York I guarantee it. can't figure how to do something, why not just pay someone to do it for you?

slow news day huh?