Babble Book Club: How's our driving?

As a biased observer and middling participant, I will say that BBC is a welcome contribution to the site that has brought in new members (even if they've only particpated in the book discussions) and fosters a collegial environment (mostly) that is most appreciated. My deep and sincere thanks to Kaitlin for getting this started and sticking with it.

Thanks for the feedback @Caissa and @Catchfire...looking forward to reading the next book.

I'm not really a fan of the book club on the weekends since my sched is so jam packed. I prefer weekday after work or evenings. That's the only suggestion I have and I wonder if there may be scheduling conflicts for others too?

That said, I'm pumped to read the next selection! Kaitlin, your enthusiasm is infectious and I'm so happy we got this going! Congrats on all your hard work!

I basically say, two thumbs up! But more detailed feedback below:

Kaitlin McNabb wrote:

1. do you like having a specific discussion date and time? Have Sunday's at noon/3pm been working for most people's availability? Or would you prefer a more free form conversation style until a new selection is chosen?
2. Are author discussion beneficial and fun for everyone? Or would you prefer to keep it amongst us BBCers?

As for #1, does it have to be either-or? I would enjoy discussion en passant, as well as a summative exchange to wind up the chosen book.  The ongoing exchange could deal with details or interesting insights that are (perhaps) not relevant or necessary in a final discussion, but which are of interest to the reader. You know, a kind of "What did you think of this" exchange, like you would have with someone in conversation.  More cogent analyses could wait till the end. And of course, spoiler alerts should be posted if a propos.

I found the author participation interesting although I had to read it aftwrwards, as the time was while I was at work. But it adds something. It's not necessary (or possible in many cases) but if feasible is great.

Quote:

How's the selections:

1. Too much CanLit or not enough? Wider range of genres or just right?
2. Is the time for reading too quick, too slow, just right?

We've only had a couple of selections so far, so  it is premature to say we've had too much or too little of any particular genre. Some CanLit should be on the menu -- this IS Canada, after all, and prophets are often too little known in their own country. I thoroughly enjoyed Farazana Doctor's book, and I'm usually not a fiction reader.  But a balance is good.   I second the idea that selections should be available through libraries, or cheaply off used book sites, for those of us who don't want to buy  new unknown books.

Timeline is OK for me. I usually read a book in a couple of days, a denser one in a week or two.

Quote:

How's the discussion"

1. Does talking about the book before the discussion work or does it detract from the final discussion itself?
2. How's the moderation -- are the questions boring and uninspired? Does the moderator (cough, me) interfer with the conversation too much?

I'm on the "the more talk the better" side of the equation. I often have an idea to share while reading (or a question to pose to other readers) and haven't posted it because we're supposed to save our insights for the final discussipn. By then I have forgotten, of course. So maybe some of both? Also, some readers will inevitably miss the final discussion due to work or other commitments (I will miss any on weekdays for that reason).

Moderation is just fine, keep up the good work! In fact, a little more prompting to shy readers might be in order. You could share little observations of your own, like "In CH. 3, I really wondered about blah blah blah....what did you think?" Stuff to get people talking about specifics. 

All in all a great addition to babble, and I'm reading stuff I never would have picked up otherwise. Thanks for getting this going!