1labfs39
Let's face it, LibraryThing has hundreds of groups targeting all sorts of interests. Why did we all join Club Read, and in many cases remain here for years? I'm trying to write the intro to the group for next year, and I've been thinking about what Club Read means to me. What does it mean to you?
2AnnieMod
In the early days, I was looking for a place that will fit a Reading diary - all I read regardless of challenges and what's not. It was either one of the general challenges ones ("50/75/100 books in XXX" for example) or Club Read. I tried both really - I was here in Club Read 2010, switched to "100 books in 2011" to try it (don't even remember why I did not have a double thread...), did both in 2012 and decided I like the conversation in Club Read more (smaller group, more interaction, starting to know people), parked myself here in 2013 and had been here ever since.
That's the charm really - we are not a specialist group - we read all over the genres, all over the formats; we are not really bound by number of books (we have people who read 200+ and who read less than 20). Where else could you have an ongoing "Victorian Literature" thread alongside "Graphic Novels, Comics and Manga" and Cooking ones? :) When I open any thread I never know if I will find a book discussion or a cooking recipe swap or someone gushing about a concert/museum/TV series. Just like real life. What I do know though is that everyone in the thread is going to be polite, respectful and helpful if they can be (even when tensions can get a bit high on some topics). Which is more than you can say about the world.
Edit: LT ate some of my post because I forgot not to use the symbol for "less than" so getting that part back.
That's the charm really - we are not a specialist group - we read all over the genres, all over the formats; we are not really bound by number of books (we have people who read 200+ and who read less than 20). Where else could you have an ongoing "Victorian Literature" thread alongside "Graphic Novels, Comics and Manga" and Cooking ones? :) When I open any thread I never know if I will find a book discussion or a cooking recipe swap or someone gushing about a concert/museum/TV series. Just like real life. What I do know though is that everyone in the thread is going to be polite, respectful and helpful if they can be (even when tensions can get a bit high on some topics). Which is more than you can say about the world.
Edit: LT ate some of my post because I forgot not to use the symbol for "less than" so getting that part back.
3japaul22
I like Club Read because it's just the right size for me - large enough to provide good interaction, but small enough to "know" everyone.
I also find that I share a lot of the same reading interests with members, but again, there are enough differences to broaden my horizons and keep me interested.
I also find that I share a lot of the same reading interests with members, but again, there are enough differences to broaden my horizons and keep me interested.
4AlisonY
Can't add much more to what Annie and Jennifer said. The warm welcome when I joined both LT and CR as a newbie was really appreciated, and I enjoy being part of this small book community where we feel like we know each other a little. It's pushed my reading diversity, and I also get a lot out of hearing snippets of other people's lives in different parts of the world.
5avaland
How CR started:
I had been invited to be part of the first 75 book group but really found during that year that chasing a numerical goal was not my thing. So, I thought I'd start a reading community of interesting, varied and thoughtful readers, explorers of a kind. I created the group privately and "seeded" the group by invitation for a couple of weeks before I opened it up to the public -- hoping those readers would attract similar kinds of literary explorers. I don't remember everyone I invited in when it was still private (my husband, rebeccanyc, Darryl, Dan...well, you all know who you are...) I was pleased to see it worked and has been sustained by such a terrific core community.
I think CR works best when we try to get around to others threads; not to everyone, of course, but as many as you think you can handle; it helps create a web of sorts. Where would we be as a group if we all just posted but didn't visit? I'll admit I don't visit others' reading threads for recommendations, so much as I like seeing what interesting books others have chosen and are reading, and their response to it (' you know what I mean?). We learn so much from each other.
Personally, it's nice to see an original idea work...there are two other groups I started a billion years ago that still are active, but quite a lot more didn't last more than a year or possibly two. Well, live and learn, what did we know about social media back then...
OK, I'll shut up now.
I had been invited to be part of the first 75 book group but really found during that year that chasing a numerical goal was not my thing. So, I thought I'd start a reading community of interesting, varied and thoughtful readers, explorers of a kind. I created the group privately and "seeded" the group by invitation for a couple of weeks before I opened it up to the public -- hoping those readers would attract similar kinds of literary explorers. I don't remember everyone I invited in when it was still private (my husband, rebeccanyc, Darryl, Dan...well, you all know who you are...) I was pleased to see it worked and has been sustained by such a terrific core community.
I think CR works best when we try to get around to others threads; not to everyone, of course, but as many as you think you can handle; it helps create a web of sorts. Where would we be as a group if we all just posted but didn't visit? I'll admit I don't visit others' reading threads for recommendations, so much as I like seeing what interesting books others have chosen and are reading, and their response to it (' you know what I mean?). We learn so much from each other.
Personally, it's nice to see an original idea work...there are two other groups I started a billion years ago that still are active, but quite a lot more didn't last more than a year or possibly two. Well, live and learn, what did we know about social media back then...
OK, I'll shut up now.
6baswood
Its serious about books and reading with only a little bit of stuff you might find on facebook, rather than loads of stuff you might find on facebook and a mention of a book now and again.
I admit I don't do face book, so really don't know what goes on there, perhaps it is something like the 75 books challenge threads?
I admit I don't do face book, so really don't know what goes on there, perhaps it is something like the 75 books challenge threads?
7LadyoftheLodge
I like the welcoming and non-judgemental feeling of the group, and that it is a small size without any requirements. I do not do Facebook or other social media either, so I don't know what goes on there. Pretty much what the others here have said sums it up for me.
8Supprimé
I hear about interesting books on here. I like What Are You Reading and Avid Reader. I look in on a few individuals fro time to time or go check their reviews.
I can also record my own reading if I want. Or not. Which I am not doing this year because there is too much other stuff going on.
This group is generally more congenial than some others on LT.
Fwiw, I belong to a couple FB groups, and they're about the same crapshoot as LT. There are lulus everywhere. The trick over here as on FB is to set up your profile, don't "friend" individuals, and learn how to block people who get on your nerves.
I can also record my own reading if I want. Or not. Which I am not doing this year because there is too much other stuff going on.
This group is generally more congenial than some others on LT.
Fwiw, I belong to a couple FB groups, and they're about the same crapshoot as LT. There are lulus everywhere. The trick over here as on FB is to set up your profile, don't "friend" individuals, and learn how to block people who get on your nerves.
9dchaikin
I initially like that cr was so kind and encouraging and enjoying sharing its reading. There was a lot to learn and it was fun. And there were no expectations (and also no challenges). I don’t think any of that has changed.
10edwinbcn
I joined Club Read because many members read and discuss serious literature (pre-contemporary) and many people post long, reflective reviews. Many members are open and interested to multi-lingual, literature, and reading in serious other topic areas, willing to read and comment on reviews and have somewhat intellectual conversation.
Besides, CR does not need to set challenges; most people have a natural desire to read a lot.
Initially, I also liked the spin-off groups, such as Monthly Author Reads, Author Theme Reads, Reading Globally and to a lesser extent the Virago editions group.
Besides, CR does not need to set challenges; most people have a natural desire to read a lot.
Initially, I also liked the spin-off groups, such as Monthly Author Reads, Author Theme Reads, Reading Globally and to a lesser extent the Virago editions group.
11avaland
>10 edwinbcn: Besides, CR does not need to set challenges; most people have a natural desire to read a lot... So, true!
12stretch
I think what makes CR so special is the freedom to be as niche as you want to be. There's no judgement, no crazy goal setting, no pressure to read the right kinds of books. The wide scope this allows means I as a slow reader get to learn and vicariously soak up all the books from the incredible knowledge base in CR that just isn't readily available in other places. There's no way to read all the books, but I can at least pick up on things I miss out on and expand my reading in new and different directions that I would have never done without the incredibly diverse and varied threads we have here in CR.
13markon
I came here after a few years in the 75ers group. CR is a calmer group, and I like that often people post reflective reviews. I'm slowly getting to know a few people, and enjoy the conversations that pop up here and there.
14tonikat
After joining LT I initially started on the 50 book challenge - but it was soon obvious I wasn't really into chasing numbers like that, and anyway I've never yet had that many completions, even tis year which started so well. I think tomcatmurr invited me from the initial seedlings -- I do miss some of our old contributors. I like it as there isn't a pressure to hit any goals, that I can go a while without posting and then catch up, and I like just posting/working out what books have done for me without it feeling like it needs to be a review -- and that I can share that with others, its been a way of learning for me. I don't have a literature side to my arts background really so am always shy of saying things, and so of course also end up saying things. I also like stopping by other threads (when I can) and that there isn't a pressure I must say anything (and usually I cannot as you're all usually reading things I've not). So overall it goes at just the right pace, with some interesting others and a nice group vibe.
15rhian_of_oz
I'm a relative newcomer and haven't been so active this year, but what I like about CR is how interesting it is. The breadth of reading material and the variety in reviews from brief to detailed, from serious to funny. The fact that there is no pressure to set goals and no judgement about what people read. And last, but by no means least, CRers are warm and welcoming.
16avaland
>14 tonikat: I miss some of the "old contributors" too.
17labfs39
Thank you, everyone, for sharing what makes Club Read special for you. It's heartwarming to read. I see some themes which will be helpful in characterizing the group in the introduction. I hope you'll all join Club Read 2022!
18labfs39
>16 avaland: I miss some of the "old contributors" too.
Yes. In fact, does anyone know what happened to TadAD, Steven03tx, DieFledermaus, kiwiflowa, or almigwin? Are they still on LT?
Yes. In fact, does anyone know what happened to TadAD, Steven03tx, DieFledermaus, kiwiflowa, or almigwin? Are they still on LT?
19raton-liseur
I’m late answering this thread and won’t add anything new, but I just want to add my voice… I joined in 2019, so fairly recently, after a few years of slow reading and quasi absence from LT due to real life realities. When I felt I wanted more from my reading experience and had more or less the time to get this “more” (whatever that means), I looked for a group. Before my slow reading period, I was in the francophone group, but this is not active anymore (there is a fairly active francophone equivalent of LT, but I don’t really like it: there is no adequate space to talk about books, your book database can’t be customised to your “needs” and it does not feel like a friendly environment…). So I was willing to stick with LT despite the language barrier.
CR appealed to me because of what other said: warm welcome (even “allowing” my francophone reviews!), diversity, interesting talks about books I might read or I’ll never read, no goals or challenges, group read at a very low frequency. I learn a lot from CR, either through reading smart conversations, or reviews about books I had never heard of. It does not force me to go out of my comfort zone but has broaden my reading horizons. CR gives you what you want to get from it, with no rules but a common love for books and bookish conversations!
CR appealed to me because of what other said: warm welcome (even “allowing” my francophone reviews!), diversity, interesting talks about books I might read or I’ll never read, no goals or challenges, group read at a very low frequency. I learn a lot from CR, either through reading smart conversations, or reviews about books I had never heard of. It does not force me to go out of my comfort zone but has broaden my reading horizons. CR gives you what you want to get from it, with no rules but a common love for books and bookish conversations!
20Nickelini
Agreeing with pretty much what everyone has said, but want to add that I like the level of conversation here. Fun, non-judgemental, interesting, and a lack of comments that are just noise. I used to follow some threads on the 75 Books group and they’d so often devolve into extended inane chatter about nothing
21avaland
>18 labfs39: re: almigwin (Miriam) lives in FL and is 90+ Last I heard from her was August and she was still reading away.
22lisapeet
Late to this thread, with apologies, because I've really been enjoying the company of CR—since I joined, but also especially in the last year as I get to know folks a bit better and feel like I have a mental image of you as individuals, as opposed to a bunch of names on the screen. I've really enjoyed the book conversations—people here are eclectic and interesting readers, and there is a major lack of lit snobbery—and also the peripherals—people's families, their work, their struggles, the ways they've dealt with the pandemic. It's a nice bunch, and I'm happy to be here.
23avaland
>22 lisapeet: Well said! I agree.
24AlisonY
>22 lisapeet: I have a mental image of you as individuals
And isn't it weird that on the odd occasion when someone posts a photo of themselves in their thread they never look anything like you've imagined...
And isn't it weird that on the odd occasion when someone posts a photo of themselves in their thread they never look anything like you've imagined...
25labfs39
>24 AlisonY: LOL. So true!