Slow Readers Book Club: New Books!

It's been a minute since I've posted something about the Slow Readers Book Club. I apologize for the delay. We've finally gotten our act together and picked two summer books, but first, it should be noted that our forum has now moved to Facebook. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join, just pop in and say hello. We'll also be keeping club members updated with a regular newsletter so no one misses out on announcements and such. You can sign up for the newsletter here. 

We've picked two books (one fiction the other non-fiction) for summer reading because summer is generally the time when we slow down and can manage to fit in some extra reading. Plus, just because the club is called "The Slow Readers" does not mean that we read slowly. If you know what I mean.

The Cry of the Go-Away Bird by Andrea Eames- Told through the eyes of a young girl, 'The Cry of the Go-Away Bird' follows the struggle of one white farming family to stay afloat in the collapsing economy and escalating horror of Mugabe’s Zimbabwe. When the farm invasions begin, the violence threatens to destroy their way of life forever, and escaping the vengeful ghosts of their past seems impossible.

Attached by Amir Levine and Rachel Heller-  I listened to an interview with the authors about this book on NPR and thought it would generate interesting discussion in the book club. Focusing on three main attachment styles (secure, anxious, and avoidant), the authors explain the biology behind our relationship needs, teach readers how to identify their own and other's attachment styles, and warn of the emotional price of connecting with someone with drastically different intimacy needs. 


I hope you'll join in on the discussion here. I haven't bought my books yet, but I'm excited to get started! Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter so you can keep up with future book choices and book club news. xo

Slow Readers Book Club: Finny

The newest book on the Slow Readers' agenda is Finny by Justin Kramon.  I've been a bad, bad, admin and member for not keeping up with the other books, but I'm determined to get back on track! Here's a snippet of the book's description:

"We meet Finny Short as an observant, defiant fourteen-year-old who can't make sense of her family's unusual habits...Finny figures she's stuck with this lonely lot until she meets Earl Henckel, a boy who comes from an even stranger place than she does.  Unhappy with Finny's budding romance with Earl, her parents ship her off to Thorndon boarding school..."

If you haven't heard of the Slow Readers Book Club, you can check out my introductory post for more info about how this club started.  If you're interested in joining the book club (and you should be because it's fun, casual, all about reading, AND it's open to everyone so what's not to love?) you can join the conversation in our forum (signing up for an account is easy peasy).  Introduce yourself to the hundreds of members and then jump into the conversation about the book.  You can also find the Slow Readers on Twitter. Hope you'll join us!

Happy Weekend

Happy Friday!  I am so glad to finally have a calm weekend with absolutely no plans.  These past couple of months have been exciting and stressful and I am in dire need of some boredom.  I have every intention of reading the new book club book, catching up with the blogging community and maybe even cleaning house.  What are you up to this weekend?

image: Livet Hemma

Slow Readers Book Club, Book #3

SRBC admin has picked a new book selection for the book club!  If you're wondering what book club I'm talking about you can catch up on the creation of the Slow Readers Book Club and the previous books here.  The new book is:

The People of Paper by Salvador Plascencia.  This book is available in numerous languages so international readers shouldn't have a problem getting their hands on a copy.  Read more of Diana's post to get the details on availability and for your chance to win a copy of the book.   Plascencia's debut novel has been described as "violent", "cheeky", "playful", "macabre", "explosively unreal, but bares human truth with devastating accuracy." Interested?  Me too! Let's read it together, ok?
Important links for SRBC:
readers forum / Twitter / Facebook / giveaway of new book

note- SRBC has almost 600 members! Thank you all for your support :)
{image via Our City Lights and quotes via Amazon}

SRBC: New book announcement!

It's that time folks, to announce the new book for the Slow Readers Book Club!  Wondering what I'm blabbering about?  Check out the history here.  Before we get to the new book, I want to clear up a few things.  

1) The title "Slow Readers Book Club" does not insinuate that we are a group of people who read slowly or are learning to read or are slow to comprehend in any way.  In picking the title of this book club, we were hoping to encourage people to slow down, take a breath, and read a book with care.  

2)  We have an online forum for all members to participate in.  I've received a lot of emails of people interested in joining (which is awesome!) but I will always point you to the forum because that's where the discussion takes place. I encourage you to read these helpful tips on how to navigate the forum prior to using it. 

3) Our first book was 'Half Broke Horses' by Jeanette Walls.  I definitely recommend reading this if you get a chance.  I've never been part of a book club before and I loved reading other people's perspectives and thoughts on this book.

4)  SRBC admin has a Twitter account where updates are posted.  This is also a helpful tool if you're interested in joining the club.

Now, for the new book (chosen by popular vote):

'Alice I Have Been' by Melanie Benjamin.  You can purchase your copy here.  

A brief description by Random House, "Few works of literature are as universally beloved as Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Now, in this spellbinding historical novel, we meet the young girl whose bright spirit sent her on an unforgettable trip down the rabbit hole–and the grown woman whose story is no less enthralling."   Sound interesting, no?

Want to know the coolest part?  The author, Melanie Benjamin, will be doing a Q&A session with us in the forum!!! Oh yikes, I'm so excited and slightly intimidated.  Want in? It's easy.  Just introduce yourself here and of course, e-mail me with any questions.  Happy reading!

Sunday Reading

The gloomy weather has slowed things down a bit in my house and I finally have time to catch up on my book for the Slow Reader Book Club. I'm already hooked on this incredible "true life novel" about the author's great grandmothers' experiences in the early 1900's. It's not too late to join the conversation here.

via Cassia Beck


via Renee Anne


via Dishy Girls


via Yvette Infuio Photography
I recently finished two other books that I highly recommend (in case you're looking for some good reading):
Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson
and
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz

What are you reading?

The Slow Readers Book Club

I have some exciting news! A few lovely bloggers have decided to start a book club and I'm thrilled to be a part of it. The book club is entitled, "Slow Readers" based off of the Slow Movement, "a cultural shift toward slowing down life's pace." If you're anything like me, you love to read but reading has fallen by the wayside as something that only happens during holidays or when those sleepless nights hit. This year, I'm vowing to allow reading, critical thinking, processing of words, and enjoying books a bigger part of my life.

Let me make one thing clear though, this book club isn't about pretentious people reading high brow material, it's about having fun doing something we all enjoy. Books are meant to be shared, discussed, pondered and chewed on and what better way than with bloggie friends?
I would LOVE it if you, dear reader, would like to participate. The invitation is open to everyone whether you have a blog or not. If you're interested in joining, please email me with your email address and blog site or leave a comment here with your email address.
The first book we'll be reading is:
Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls

via here
If you decide that you'd like to join, may I suggest buying your books from Better World Books? This amazing charitable organization sells both new and used books in a sustainable manner. All books are shipped FREE in the U.S. and proceeds go to fund literacy throughout the world. You can buy your copy of 'Half Broke Horses' here.
We'll have a two month deadline to purchase and read the book. I'll be posting my review, along with whomever wants to join in on March 4th.
If this is something you're interested in, please email me at downandoutchic@gmail.com so that you'll be privy on the newest book announcements and so I can send you some fun buttons if you so choose to post about it.
I'd love to get to know you better through discussing these books! Cheers to New Year!
xo,
Christina