Classics

[close] Welcome to the Roundtable Our passions include literary fiction, the classics, and serious non-fiction. In 2016 we've planned structured reads in the following categories: Classics, Genre, Nonfiction, Recently published (<5 years) fiction, Literary Prize, Door Stops (more than 700pp), short stories, and various surprise themes. You can also sign on for one or both of our two yearly reading challenges or participate in our Around The World exploration of books from South America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. The fine print: We're a smallish group, but active, and we'd like to have actively participating members. If you've been a member for more than four months without participating, we will assume that you are not interested in the group and you will be subject to deletion (one post after acceptance into the group is not considered active). This may take the form of participation in one of the structured features described above or something more free-form. While we've all got our guilty pleasures -- vampires in love, celebrity gossip, books from our childhoods -- these books don't fit with the group's vision and purpose. It's strictly "quality" writing for an adult audience; for us this means literary fiction, the classics, and serious non-fiction. We like to see a diversity of opinions about what we read and a strong passion for books is a plus. However, we ask that our group members keep it about the books; be respectful of others and refrain from the ad hominem. Finally, you'll see that we're a private group and you'll need to "apply" to join us. This means that we'd like to see a word from you about why you'd like to join and what you're hoping to get from a group. It also helps if we can see your shelves and your profile. If your profile is set to private, you will not be approved for membership in the group.

[close] We're here because we like reading and we like chatting about reading. But we are here especially because we strongly believe that reading is not just something we do alone, but something that can unite people of different kinds, all over the world! This group really is all about books! In terms of group reads we have a monthly fiction book and a bi-monthly group read of a classic. Quarterly there is a group discussion of a play, a seasonal author for poetry and fiction as well as a non-fiction - theme. We also have weekly poetry postings (the Monday Poem). We feature a yearly challenge and theme challenges in which members are encouraged to read books that relate to a specific theme, and dedicated sections for non-fiction, poetry and drama. In addition, we have sections for people to post their yearly personal challenges and their 2016 reads. --------------------------------------------- October - December 2016 Our Seasonal Poet: poets from Latin America Our Seasonal Theme for Plays: French Drama Focus Play: Art by Yasmina Reza Seasonal Author: H.G. Wells

[close] 500 Great Books By Women A Reader's Guide to the Worlds of Women's Writing Be sure to check out the bookshelf and see if you've reviewed any of the books! Your submissions help this resource grow. For more details, see the Submissions topic in the General folder. "Here is an articulate guide to more than 500 books written by women, a unique resource that allows readers the joy of discovering new authors as well as revisiting familiar favorites. Organized by such themes as Art, Choices, Families, Growing Old, Growing Up, Places and Homes, Power, and Work, this reference book presents classic contemporary works, from lady Nijo's thirteenth-century Japanese court diaries to books by authors including Toni Morrison, Alice Hoffman, Nadine Gordimer, and Isabel Allende. With annotated entries that capture the flavor of each book and seven cross-referenced indexes, 500 Great Books by Women is a one-of-a-kind guide for all readers and book lovers that celebrates and recommends some of the very best writing by women." (taken from the book's backflap) Bauermeister, Erica, Jesse Larsen, and Holly Smith. 500 Great Books by Women: A Reader's Guide. New York, NY, U.S.A.: Penguin, 1994. Print.

[close] We are 'Read Runners' - measuring our lives by pages read, books completed, and discussions had. Join us, if you enjoy reading - whether slow or quick, and if you like to discuss and put your points forward. We read a lot from different genres, and love to break out of our comfort zones and explore new books/authors through our group reads, buddy reads, and individual reads too. The single most important part of this group, its soul, are the members. And, we have a strong policy of respect for the individual and a zero tolerance approach towards bad behaviour. (Of course, thunder and lightning, and the hammer of Thor might strike you down as well!) Therefore, what we recommend is - Keep calm and read a book!