- Renee - Animal Dreams
- Bekah - Scarlet Pimpernel
- Laura - Bel Canto
- Allison - Gonzales & Daughter Trucking Co.
- Suzanne - Girl Named Zippy
- Lisa - Soul Cravings
- Sonja - Hero & the Crown
- Bridget - Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
- Janelle - Cause Celeb
- Heather - Kite Runner
- Hannah - Ella Minnow Pea
- Becca - Great Gatsby
- Lynn - A Long Way Gone
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Where We Stand
Okay, for the Nov 8 - Dec 30 rotation, this is who should have which book:
Friday, September 21, 2007
Nearing the half-way point
With rotation #6 a week away, we are nearing the half-way point! Whoo-hoo!
Really, the half-way point is more accurately between rotations 6 & 7, but this blog is boring and needed a new post.
Really, the half-way point is more accurately between rotations 6 & 7, but this blog is boring and needed a new post.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Suz's Haiku Challenge - Revived!
As Round Two of the Better Than Oprah Book Club gets underway, I thought I would reissue Suz's Haiku Challenge. As a refresher (and to catch up those who are just joining us) here it is:
Inspired by a book I came across while working at B&N and prompted by my own fondness for haiku, I would like to present to our little book club SUZ'S HAIKU CHALLENGE.
To refresh your memory, haiku is a Japanese form of poetry that consists of 3 lines and 17 syllables, 5-7-5. What is the challenge? Upon finishing each of your book club selections, take a few minutes (in the shower, driving to work, letting your pedicure dry, etc.) and condense that great tome down into 17 syllables. The haiku can be humorous or profound--however you feel moved. This might seem a little difficult or even a little ridiculous at first, but just think how much fun it will be to compare our haikus on each book. I've found it's also a handy way of helping yourself recall what each book was about, enabling you to sound really intelligent in social settings.
So, if you're up to the challenge (come on, it'll be fun!) please compose a haiku as you finish each selection and post it as a comment in that book's discussion forum.
Need a little inspiration? Here are some of favorites from Round One:
Life of Pi
Both boy and tiger
In the same predicament.
How will they survive?
Shadow of the Wind
Man with cigarette
Julian and sis, oh yuck
Daniel and Bea, whee!
Time Traveler's Wife
Naked man appears
in your backyard. Could this be
your future husband?
Inspired by a book I came across while working at B&N and prompted by my own fondness for haiku, I would like to present to our little book club SUZ'S HAIKU CHALLENGE.
To refresh your memory, haiku is a Japanese form of poetry that consists of 3 lines and 17 syllables, 5-7-5. What is the challenge? Upon finishing each of your book club selections, take a few minutes (in the shower, driving to work, letting your pedicure dry, etc.) and condense that great tome down into 17 syllables. The haiku can be humorous or profound--however you feel moved. This might seem a little difficult or even a little ridiculous at first, but just think how much fun it will be to compare our haikus on each book. I've found it's also a handy way of helping yourself recall what each book was about, enabling you to sound really intelligent in social settings.
So, if you're up to the challenge (come on, it'll be fun!) please compose a haiku as you finish each selection and post it as a comment in that book's discussion forum.
Need a little inspiration? Here are some of favorites from Round One:
Life of Pi
Both boy and tiger
In the same predicament.
How will they survive?
Shadow of the Wind
Man with cigarette
Julian and sis, oh yuck
Daniel and Bea, whee!
Time Traveler's Wife
Naked man appears
in your backyard. Could this be
your future husband?
Discussion Forums Up & Running!
Okay ladies, each of the books now has its own post, which will allow members to leave comments for each book, thus getting the discussion going--though it will be slow at first, since we're all reading them one at a time. (You'll find links to each book's post over there on the right.)
Remember that each of these comes with a spoiler alert, so don't go into a book's post and accompanying comments until you're actually reading that book (unless you're okay with reading stuff that might spoil the ending for you).
Any questions? Leave a comment.
Remember that each of these comes with a spoiler alert, so don't go into a book's post and accompanying comments until you're actually reading that book (unless you're okay with reading stuff that might spoil the ending for you).
Any questions? Leave a comment.
The Hero and the Crown
Written by: Robin McKinley
Contributed by: Renee
Leave a comment to discuss this book.
Contributed by: Renee
Leave a comment to discuss this book.
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
Written by: Jonathan Foer
Contributed by: Bekah
Leave a comment to discuss this book.
Contributed by: Bekah
Leave a comment to discuss this book.
The Kite Runner
Written by: Khaled Hosseini
Contributed by: Allison
Leave a comment to discuss this book.
Contributed by: Allison
Leave a comment to discuss this book.
The Great Gatsby
Written by: F. Scott Fitzgerald
Contributed by: Lisa
Leave a comment to discuss this book.
Contributed by: Lisa
Leave a comment to discuss this book.
Animal Dreams
Written by: Barbara Kingsolver
Contributed by: Bridget
Leave a comment to discuss this book.
Contributed by: Bridget
Leave a comment to discuss this book.
The Scarlet Pimpernel
Written by: Baroness Orczy
Contributed by: Janelle
Leave a comment to discuss this book.
Contributed by: Janelle
Leave a comment to discuss this book.
Gonzalez & Daughter Trucking Co.
Written by: María Ampara Escandón
Contributed by: Hannah
Leave a comment to discuss this book.
Contributed by: Hannah
Leave a comment to discuss this book.
Soul Cravings
Written by: Erwin Raphael McManus
Contributed by: Lynn
Leave a comment to discuss this book.
Contributed by: Lynn
Leave a comment to discuss this book.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Blog Revamp in Progress
Hey Ladies,
The titles continue to roll in (reminder: you have until Tues, Feb 27th to submit your title/author, address and phone number) and as they do I'll be working to get the new and improved Better Than Oprah Book Club blog updated and ready to go. Watch your inboxes for an email with the finalized list of Round 2 books and the order in which they'll make their way through the ranks.
Thanks,
Suz
The titles continue to roll in (reminder: you have until Tues, Feb 27th to submit your title/author, address and phone number) and as they do I'll be working to get the new and improved Better Than Oprah Book Club blog updated and ready to go. Watch your inboxes for an email with the finalized list of Round 2 books and the order in which they'll make their way through the ranks.
Thanks,
Suz
Monday, February 19, 2007
Round Two
Hello Everyone!
After the innaugural Better Than Oprah (BTO) Book Club season last year, we are ready to begin again. Suz and I (Allison) have taken on the leadership and administration of BTO to give our fearless leader, Heather, a well-deserved break. Below is an overview of the next steps.
Here are the facts:
REQUIREMENTS FOR BOOK SELECTION
* Fiction Only
* 400 Pages or Less
* Paperbacks only
* No Offensive Content (use your discretion)
* Select something you think others likely have not read
TIMELINE
* Respond to Allison and Suz via email NO LATER THAN 2/20/07 if you plan to participate. No Late Joiners!
* Select your book to contribute by 2/27/07 and email title and author information to Allison and Suz.
* Mail your book by 3/1/06. (We will email a list of all books and the order of mailing on the 27th.)
OPERATIONAL DETAILS
* Allison and Suz will put together an order for passing along your books. We plan to base the order on geography to try to expedite the process and also cushion your pocketbooks. (NOTE: Remember to use Media Mail for a bit of savings!)
* Before you mail your selected book to the first recipient, please do two things. First, write your name inside the cover. Second, please write a few words about your reasons for choosing the book, why you liked it, etc. This note can be written directly in the front cover or taped into the book. However, NO LOOSE PAPERS. They get lost!
* As you read a book, WRITE COMMENTS IN THE BOOK! One of the things we would like to see more of this time around is more consistent LOVE for the books. We want the owner of the book to get back their book full of comments and LOVE from everyone else. WRITE. ENJOY. SHARE.
* Books will be passed along EVERY 6 WEEKS! Allison and Suzanne will send reminder emails one week before you need to put your book in the mail for the switch. 6 weeks, people. Make it happen!
ELECTRONIC BTO PARTICIPATION
This blog will be updated shortly with the new book information and will still be available for comments. However, blog participation is optional. Remember, we want your comments IN THE BOOK where they can be read by all.
I think that's everything for now. We look forward to our new round of books. Please remember to email Allison and Suzanne to confirm your participation and share your book selection according to the timeline above.
We love you all. Oh, what a joy to have such literary friends!
- Allison and Suz
After the innaugural Better Than Oprah (BTO) Book Club season last year, we are ready to begin again. Suz and I (Allison) have taken on the leadership and administration of BTO to give our fearless leader, Heather, a well-deserved break. Below is an overview of the next steps.
Here are the facts:
REQUIREMENTS FOR BOOK SELECTION
* Fiction Only
* 400 Pages or Less
* Paperbacks only
* No Offensive Content (use your discretion)
* Select something you think others likely have not read
TIMELINE
* Respond to Allison and Suz via email NO LATER THAN 2/20/07 if you plan to participate. No Late Joiners!
* Select your book to contribute by 2/27/07 and email title and author information to Allison and Suz.
* Mail your book by 3/1/06. (We will email a list of all books and the order of mailing on the 27th.)
OPERATIONAL DETAILS
* Allison and Suz will put together an order for passing along your books. We plan to base the order on geography to try to expedite the process and also cushion your pocketbooks. (NOTE: Remember to use Media Mail for a bit of savings!)
* Before you mail your selected book to the first recipient, please do two things. First, write your name inside the cover. Second, please write a few words about your reasons for choosing the book, why you liked it, etc. This note can be written directly in the front cover or taped into the book. However, NO LOOSE PAPERS. They get lost!
* As you read a book, WRITE COMMENTS IN THE BOOK! One of the things we would like to see more of this time around is more consistent LOVE for the books. We want the owner of the book to get back their book full of comments and LOVE from everyone else. WRITE. ENJOY. SHARE.
* Books will be passed along EVERY 6 WEEKS! Allison and Suzanne will send reminder emails one week before you need to put your book in the mail for the switch. 6 weeks, people. Make it happen!
ELECTRONIC BTO PARTICIPATION
This blog will be updated shortly with the new book information and will still be available for comments. However, blog participation is optional. Remember, we want your comments IN THE BOOK where they can be read by all.
I think that's everything for now. We look forward to our new round of books. Please remember to email Allison and Suzanne to confirm your participation and share your book selection according to the timeline above.
We love you all. Oh, what a joy to have such literary friends!
- Allison and Suz
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Coming Soon...
So, the odds of anyone reading this are slim, but just in case...
Wanted to let ya'll know that the launch of our new and improved book club is just around the corner! Allison and I will be talking some things through next week and hope to get things up and running before too long.
There you have it.
Wanted to let ya'll know that the launch of our new and improved book club is just around the corner! Allison and I will be talking some things through next week and hope to get things up and running before too long.
There you have it.
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