Tuesday, May 26, 2009

What will we talk about?

For some reason folks are always worried about what they will talk about at a book club meeting. Trust me. If you start with "Who liked the book?" things are going to roll right along. Books are like husbands, there's a perfect one for every reader but every reader won't like every one.

If you want some help, however, there is help out there.

Many of the publishers do a really good job of including Readers Guides or BookClub Notes for their books, and some authors take care of it on their own. Check out your author's favorite website. You might be pleasantly surprised that they'd be happy to send you some free bookmarks, have a link to a downloadable Bookclub Guide, or even offer to call in to chat about the book at your next meeting!

Authors work long and hard to bring those characters to life and get them on a shelf for you to enjoy. They'd love to hear from you, and know that they've touched your life, or sparked a memory for you.

In the link section below are a few places to start looking for reader guides.

If all else fails --- here are some basics.
  • Who liked the book?

  • What was your favorite character in the book?


  • Did you connect with any one place or scene in the book?


  • Is there a character in the book that reminded you of someone you know?


  • Talk about the cover art.

  • Did the blurb about the book hold up to the story?

  • Would you read another title from this author?


  • Have a great read!
    Nancy

    Monday, May 18, 2009

    Self-Pub vs Big NY Pubs

    You may have already heard about the self-pubbed top selling book, THE SHACK. If not, though, let me recommend it.

    It's not a perfect write, but the messages are clear and deep and really leave you thoughtful and it's all done through a story that reaches your heart.

    I'm not usually one to read those self-pubbed books, I tend to lean towards those I KNOW I'm going to love like the Mary Alice Monroe, Mary Kay Andrews, Nicholas Sparks, Carl Hiaasen, Barbara Delinsky, well okay so the list goes on ... but I know what I like and usually stick to it.

    Anyway -- don't be afraid to wade out into something new. You may just find a wonderful new read.

    Wishing you many friends and smiles through books,
    Nancy

    Sunday, April 19, 2009

    A Book by its Cover

    A fun thing to discuss is the book compared to the cover art.

    Did you know that most author's have very little influence in the cover art of their books? It's true. That's left to the marketing team and most of the time they do a fabulous job.

    How do you think they did this time?
  • Did the cover make you pick this book to begin with?

  • Did the inside of the book deliver the goods promised?

  • Did you get what you expected?

  • After you read the book, did you look back at the cover and connect to the story?

  • What about the blurbs from other authors or reviewers...did that influence you one way or the other? Did you agree with the blurbs?

  • Does a certain color catch your eye? or foil letters? or pictures of dogs or landscapes?


  • Have fun chatting about the cover.
    Happy Reading.
    Nancy