Join the Essential Baby book club in our Books, Poetry & Music forum.
Enjoy the benefits of a book club from the comforts of your own home! It's the perfect solution for Mums. We chat with Essential Baby book club founder Siouxie.
How did the bookclub come about?
I posted a thread asking if anyone was interested in reading and discussing a book together. The overwhelming response commanded a more structured format, along the lines of what a real life book club would be.
What are the bookclubs past/present books?
As the club is only new, we've chosen three books only, thus far. I'm really looking forward to seeing which books are chosen in the coming months though!
Past books include: The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (Steig Larson), Mao's Last Dancer (Li Cunxin) The 19th Wife (David Ebershoff).
How do you choose the book?
Throughout the month, members are encouraged to post suggestions for next month's read. Towards the end of the month, these suggestions comprise a list from which one is chosen via a voting poll. The winning book is decided from the poll results, and a new thread for the month is posted.
During the month, members are encouraged to post discussion about the current book, although we do require a spoiler warning, to prevent important plot details being exposed!
How many people are in the club?
This is difficult to quantify, being an on-line club. Members are welcome to join in for the first time, or participate for as little or as much as they like. Some books attract wider groups of readers than others. On average, we've had in excess of a dozen members, participating in reading and discussing books.
What are the benefits of an online book club?
You can participate on any level, in your own time, at the comfort of your own computer desk. I think this is particularly beneficial to parents who may otherwise find it difficult to lock into real life book club commitments. Also, being an on-line community, members come along from all walks of life which really adds to the dynamic of the group. Rural mums can also enjoy the benefit of on-line book groups - no travelling for miles!
How many books do you personally read a month?
On average, I'll read around four books per month. Sometimes there's a book which commands more of my time and concentration than another, whereas other books are simple, quick escapes.
How do you find the time with kids - what are your suggestions?
I usually steal a reading hour either early in the morning, or last thing at night. Or when our little one is at school, and - if I've managed my time well enough - will often pick up a book for an hour during the afternoon. I've learnt to really plan time to read, as it's such valued down time, away from the daily grind of chores and errands.
How long have you been an EB member, how did you join?
Less than a year. I simply googled "parenting forum" and Essential Baby seemed like the best choice. Registration was easy and straight forward.
What are your fave things about EB?
The variety of sub forums. This means i can pop onto EB for advice or information about anything from parenting to finances, gardening advice to the best muffin recipes around!
What other forums do you frequent?
I frequent a music forum (muse.mu), an equine welfare forum, and a Classical Dressage forum.
Anything else?
I'd like to make a special mention of the forum moderator ~Ruth~
for being so accommodating in answering requests to lock and pin the
book club threads, and for making it easier for new members to navigate around
the format.
Do you enjoy reading? Check out the Essential Baby book club in the Books, Poetry & Music forum.
