Lake Shore Lady’s Book Club!
Hey friends! I knew today would feel very much like a Monday because it’s the first full week of the new year. But we also went to the closing of Hamilton and a little bit of their after party last night, so I woke up today REALLY hoping it was still Sunday. No luck ?♀️
But that’s okay, because I’m very excited about this post! If you read all about my 2020 resolutions, you know that one of my goals is to start a book club. I’ve struggled with how to do this in the past, and I honestly still am a little bit – but I think it’s one of those situations that I should stop overthinking. Why? #1: I want to commit to reading at least 1 book a month because it is totally doable. And #2: SO MANY of you requested a book club when I asked for content suggestions! So let’s just go for it, shall we?! Here’s how it’s going to work…
Beginning of the Month: Book Selection
Either on social media, in my Facebook Group, and/or in the previous month’s book review, I will announce the book of the month.
To kick this off, I’ve decided to pull out an old book for January: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert. Big Magic is one of my favorite books of all time, and one of the only ones that I highlight and re-read when I need it. (I actually wrote about it back in 2016!) It’s all about creative living and it’s such an inspiring book for the start of a new year.
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And as you may have seen on my stories or in my Sunday email blast, I’m also reading Know My Name by Chanel Miller. I debated making it the January book, but ended up deciding to process this one on my own. The subject matter is quite heavy and I think it’s important for women to take their time with it. That being said, if you’re dying to talk about it, there might be gals in my Facebook group who want to chat about it, too! Start a thread – see where it goes!
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End of the Month: Book Review, Questions & Discussion
The last week of the month, after we’ve all read the book, I’ll write a blog post about my reaction to it, but also questions for you guys to get the discussion started! I know it can feel weird to write your thoughts on the internet for all to see, so if you don’t want to comment here on the blog, I’ll also be posting the questions in my private Facebook Group to get some conversation going. You guys are also more than welcome to start your own threads, too! Just be sure to write *BOOK CLUB* first, so gals who haven’t finished the book know to avoid any spoilers. This will be way more important when we read novels!
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Three or Four Times A Year: In Person Book Club
This part is slightly dependent on if you guys participate at all online or not… but I’d love to host in-person book club meetings! I’m aiming to host the first one at the beginning of April and we can vote on which book (or books!) we want to discuss from my January, February, and March posts. Based on how that goes, we’ll pick another date and keep doing them 3 or 4 times a year!
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How does that sound?!
Also, I’m still trying to pick out what books I should highlight for February and March, so please let me know if anything is on your list. I’m also hoping to partner with bloggers (and maybe authors if I can!) down the line, so let me know if you have any requests for those, too!!
PS. You might also like How To Download Library Books To Your Kindle and What I Read Over The Summer.
January 6, 2020 @ 3:57 pm
An in-person book club in Chicago would be fantastic. Online book discussions just aren’t as interesting.
January 6, 2020 @ 4:02 pm
Totally understand that – but I just don’t have the bandwith to organize and host an in person meeting every month. I’m a one woman show! ? Hopefully we can get some good discussion going online and then we can build on that in person a few times a year!
January 6, 2020 @ 4:57 pm
I love this – both the book club idea and the potential for it to expand in person. Thanks, Lauren! Off to dust off my copy of Big Magic, one of my favorite books of all time as well 🙂
January 6, 2020 @ 6:44 pm
Yay! So glad you’re excited!!!
January 13, 2020 @ 10:30 am
Love this Lauren! I’m excited to have more direction in my reading. Looking forward to it!
January 14, 2020 @ 12:41 pm
I would love to join online and/or in person! I’ve heard Little Fires Everywhere is a good read, and I believe it’s in process of becoming a movie or TV show – could be a good option!