***For the list of books we’re reading for the first half of 2018 click here ***
Yes, my beautiful friends, I have set up a book club on these here pages for anyone to join in with this book worming fun.
I’m finding more and more often these days, that I’m reaching for my smartphone to entertain me rather than a book. Reading used to be my favourite pastime, but now it seems to be doing ‘If you were a cheese, which would you be?’ type quizzes. FFS (I’d clearly be Wensleydale & Cranberry btw) or looking at slideshows of celebrities who remarkably look a bit older, now that they are -you know- older.
So, I’ve started this book club as a way to motivate me to get back to my regular reading habits and I’d love you to join me.
Here’s how it will work.
- I will provide a list of 6 books, one for each month for the rest of the year.
- At the end of each month (or beginning of the following one, depending on how organised I’m being), I’ll pop a quick post giving my thoughts on the book.
- Your lovely selves can then provide your thoughts/opinions within the comments section and a discussion can evolve from there.
- Obviously, there’s no obligation. You can read all six, only three or just the one. Whatever suits you best or how much you want to join in.
- You can join in the discussion whenever you want, but the closer to the time I published my book review post the better, as you’re more likely to get a response from other readers.
- If this is a success, I’ll list 6 more books at the end of the year for the first half of 2018.
- Drinking wine/gin/tea/coffee isn’t obligatory whilst joining in with the discussion about these books, but it might help.
- Any questions, let me know.
Okay, so now for the 6 books for the rest of this year.
July: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (as you’re not seeing this in advance of July, I won’t publish the review post until 7th Aug. The next book will be a shorter one)
August: Hotel Alpha by Mark Watson
September: Irresistible: why you are addicted to technology and how to set yourself free by Adam Alter (I thought this would be appropriate as we’re trying to smartphone less/read more).
October: A Million Little Pieces by James Frey
November: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
December: My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologises by Fredrik Backman
The chosen list of books is final. If you don’t fancy reading a particular book one month, just give it a miss that month. If I carry on with this into 2018, I’ll select the odd old classic book too. I’ll always provide at least one non-fiction book within a list.
Lastly, I just want to thank the lovely Angela at You Are Awesome blog for providing me with the inspiration to set this up. Check out her blog post here about book clubs.
So, join me! Together we can put our phones down and pick up a book. Do me a favour first though and holler below in the comments (or within the comments of my Facebook page) if you fancy joining my book club. Also, please spread the word. It will be fantastic to get people from across the globe coming together to discuss a mutual love- books.

Nigella Lawson in her library. Further proof that I should actually be her.
Hey! Book clubs are awesome! I’ve already got a schedule planned for this month’s reading but I’m going to do my best to squeeze this in! The first book sounds absolutely beautiful 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant! Yeah just join in when you can. You can always come back & comment at a later date. Thanks so much x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well that’s what I thought 🙂 I’m looking forward to it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay!
LikeLike
I have read All the light… and loved it x think I would love to be part of this #SundayBlogShare
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic! Well that’s July’s book done for you 👍🏻
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m really keen to be involved in this! I’ve read the first book and loved it. I’ll stay in touch 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent Deb. At least you’ve done July’s book already! X
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s what I thought!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great idea! The list of books is intriguing and the flexibility makes it a win/win for participating whenever one can do so. #SundayBlogShare
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Molly! I can’t wait to get started on them all x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes please – great idea! Count me in
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great stuff Lucy! So pleased x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this idea and I’ve read the book for July already! It’s awesome! I plan on rereading it, but I’ve been overwhelmed with new books I want to read, but it is on my Reread list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, you’ve got a lot going on your TBR list, haven’t you? So glad you loved All the Light.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My book list is getting out of control as it is, but I’m going to try! And either way, I hope you enjoy! I find I read in fits and spurts. Summer is usually a big reading time for me, sitting in the three season room or outside to enjoy a book is lovely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great! Just do what you can. There’s no pressure. Yes Summer is always when I do most of my reading too.
LikeLike
Some great choices there! Loved All The Light, enjoy 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Excellent. Yes I’m enjoying it already & have only just started x
LikeLiked by 1 person
OMG. I’m in, but I’m prone to short term memory dysfunction so I may have to come back to bookmark this. Can’t promise every read, as my TBR list is humongous, and there’s that writing one too. Never been in a book club before either. Cracking idea though 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
YAY! Yes my TBR list is soooooo long. Yes just read what you can/what you fancy x
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure there is innuendo in that….I recall a sixth form part moment when I was supping a pint and from the entwined duo nearby the young lady was heard to say “I’m not Braille you know!” Seems reading what you fancy is hazardous stuff! I must pop back here tomorrow and jot down the titles!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha. That reminds me of the time I was selling raffle tickets at the school fete. It was particularly crowded at one end of the table, so I stood the other end & shouted “DOES ANYBODY WANT A STRIP FROM ME OVER HERE?!”. Took me a while to work out why all the Dads suddenly migrated over to me & everyone else was laughing. That’s just the way we do school fetes round here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
One way to create an audience so kudos to you! I trust it wasn’t raining and really cold lol. I guess if you have to raise funds then whatever it takes kinda thing. Have to say it is rather funny when you say something and it comes out not quite sounding as good as it did in your head 😜
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly. If it brings more money into the school then I think it was very commendable of me.
P.S. It was the Xmas Fete, so luckily we were inside 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very much so; few would venture quite that far in order to extract yet more cash. I am impressed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
AWESOME! I use that word a lot, but rarely in capital letters. I love your idea to keep it simple and inspire others to contribute. I will definitely be participating–and thanks for the shout out. I think the blogshare team will also offer excellent thoughts on the selected books. I’m certain I’ll learn a lot. Thanks, Hayley. You’re amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aah thank you so much Angela. So pleased you like the idea & will join in. Can’t wait to hear what people think of the books x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the book list, I haven’t heard of some of them! I’m pinning this post so I can get around to these books!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s great news Kelsey! Can’t wait to hear what you think of them x
LikeLike
Yesterday, I was in the middle of jumping up and down, saying, “YES! LOVE THIS SO MUCH I WANT TO JOIN” when our power went out. My original message was much wittier and so much more clever, but given I’m still not fully caffeinated, I’ll have to make do now with a simple, “Count me in.” *grin*
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha! Brilliant news Traci! This is so exciting! I hope you’ve got power again now!! X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep – it was out for a few hours (seemed like months, given the blistering heat & humidity) but it’s on and blissfully cool in the house now. 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh good! X
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great idea Hayley! I’ll try to join in too, maybe not every month, but I’ll give it a go 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant news Noelle. Yes just join in when you can. Yay! X
LikeLike
I probably can’t manage every month, but I’m down for at least a few of them!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ace! Yeah just do what you can/when you can x
LikeLike
Yes!!! I totally want to do this! Also, I literally LOLd when you mentioned the “which kind of cheese are you” quizzes, because that’s so hilariously what I do instead of read! Those quizzes are really important and telling, however!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha. These quizzes are definitely credible & scientific & not in the slightest bit a complete load of bollox.
Excellent! So glad you want to join in xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Most assuredly NOT a load of bollocks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on Rambles of a Raving Writer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I miss my old Book Club in my village – over a glass of wine every six weeks we’d read & dissect the chosen book 😊 So, yes, I’m in – I will try & participate as often as I can 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fantastic news Linda x
LikeLike
Please count me in! I miss my regular book group, but I love you and this idea, so win-win. Been meaning to read All The Light…but wondering if it’ll make me wanna pluck my eyes put with a fork. We shall see. And I need August’s book in my life,ha! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brilliant! Welcome aboard! I’m half way through All The Light now and enjoying it. I might be swapping the August book with September as it’s not out in paperback until mid-August, so we’ll do it in September instead, but yes- I definitely need that book in my life too ha! Thanks love x
LikeLike
Hi just want to say I love your idea.i ve been trying to join a book club for years but apparently only the elite of village where I recently moved are entitled to join! So I might join your,from September.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome! Yes book clubs can be a tad elitist. We’ll see you in September! X
LikeLiked by 1 person
When is December’s book club happening? I’d love to hop on– better late than never, right?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha of course! I’m reviewing November’s book on Monday and December’s book at the beginning of January. Welcome aboard Becca x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perfect!
LikeLiked by 1 person