Velkommen fredag!

Førstkommende fredag er det Margrete og Anders som står for det sikkert ganske uvanlig interessante litterære programmet.

På den mer prosaiske side: Til møtet er det fint om dere tar med en oversikt over hvilke fredager som er uaktuelle for høsten, slik at vi får satt opp en møteplan. Vi ses!

Vi er i gang!

Tre fjerdeler av medlemsmassen var samlet til konstituerende møte fredag 11. januar 2008. Vi ble enige om en hel del, blant annet møteplan (som har blitt telefonisk konfirmert) og bokliste - faktisk helt fram til januar 2009. Informasjon om dette er lagt ut på denne sida (til høyre).

Blant en lang rekke interessante synspunkter, finner man grunn til å offentliggjøre følgende:

• 8 deltakere virker ideelt.
  
• Fredager kl 20.00 er absolutt å foretrekke som møtetidspunkt.
  
• Bevertningen skal være enkel og smakfull, - drikke medbringes.
• Møtearrangører er også bok- og forfatterpresentatører. Hvordan dette skal gjøres, er opp til de enkelte parene.
• 5 bøker i 2008, kanskje 6 i 2009.
• 1 bok pr møte - hvis ikke bøkene er ekstremt tynne.
• Ingen fellesinnkjøp, - alle bøker skaffes av den enkelte.
• Det er lov å møte opp og formidle at dette var så kjedelig at man ikke maktet å fullføre.
• Det er lov å være uenig i forrige punkt.
• Det er faktisk også lov - med mild røst - å be om at forsamlingen holder seg til temaet.
• Vi ønsker - i alle fall ikke foreløpig - å begrense oss til enkelte genre, forfattere, epoker el.l.
• Jo Ragnar er selvutnevnt nettredaktør, og lager en liten nettsak etter hvert møte.
• Bøkene bør - fortrinnsvis - være oversatt til et nordisk språk.

Hvordan gjør vi det?

På nettsiden Reading Group Guides ligger det en rekke tips og forslag som kan være nyttige for lesesirkler. Her følger et sammendrag av det viktigste, og teksten burde fungere fint som en "dagsorden" for oppstartmøtet i januar:

Group size
The ideal group size is between 8 and 12 members. While commitment is important, not everyone will be able to make it to every meeting. Fewer than 8, and some days you might not have enough for a good discussion. More than 12, and you risk not allowing everyone to be heard. While some groups tend to be homogenous--mothers of preschoolers or coworkers who meet over lunch--other groups are mixtures of various ages and sexes. You'll have to decide how open you want to make your group and what your process for inviting or accepting new members will be.

Organize a group
Once you've gotten your group going, you'll want to lay down any ground rules for your group, discuss how you'll be organized, and consider how you'll make your book selections. Some groups specialize in certain types of reading--nonfiction, mysteries, foreign authors. It might be a good idea to appoint a secretary who keeps track of your book lists (both what you've read and what you plan to read), sends out reminders about your meetings and host or snack schedules, and contacts a local bookstore about getting enough copies of the book for your group.

How often?
The first thing you should decide is when you'll meet. Most groups find that once a month is ideal. This should be plenty of time to read almost any reading group selection and still allow your members time for personal reading. Meeting more often might be difficult with today's busy lifestyles, and probably won't allow people to finish the book. If your group does decide to meet this often, you might consider reading your books in sections and only discussing a few chapters at a time. Some groups find that every other month is better for them. If this is the case for your group, you can allow yourself the luxury of picking longer books.

When?
You'll also want to set a specific time for your meeting. Do Sunday evenings work best for your group? Wednesday mornings? Whatever time you decide on, be sure to stick with it. Let your members plan their schedules around reading group, rather than trying to fit reading group in around everyone's schedule.

Where?
Unless you're sponsored by a bookstore or library, the next thing you'll need to decide is where you'll meet. The most popular option is to meet in members' homes, rotating turns at hosting. Your meeting time will help determine snack options for your group. Will your host be responsible for providing refreshments, or will everyone bring something? Will you discuss your books over potluck suppers or simple veggies and dip? Some groups choose to meet in restaurants. Be sure to find one that has tables large enough to spread your books out and that doesn't mind your group staying for discussion after you finish eating. Perhaps a little wine and cheese will enhance your discussion.

Format
Another aspect of reading group you'll want to consider in advance is the format your meetings will take. You might have one member (usually the one who chose the book) prepare some questions that will launch your discussion. This person may also get background information on the book or author to share with the group. In some groups, each member brings a couple of her or his own questions about the book. Search this site to find out if a reading group guide is available for your book. These are good sources of themes, character descriptions and questions to discuss. Each member should be given plenty of opportunity to express his or her opinions about the book.

Choosing the books
One of the most enjoyable yet frightening aspects of a reading group is choosing the books. While it's exciting to consider the options, make your list and winnow it down to those few select titles that you'll read each year, picking good books for your group can also be intimidating. You want the perfect book: one that's not too easy, not too hard, that will hold the interest of a diverse group of readers and will also inspire a lively discussion. Where on earth do you find books that are all that and more, and how do you pick which of these to read?


Probably the best place to start looking for titles is your own members' bookshelves. Some groups insist that those proposing a book have read it and can testify to its worthiness for the group. Other groups would rather that no one have read the book, making it a surprise for everyone; they choose books based on word of mouth from outside sources, reviews, or dust jacket blurbs. Is there a title that many of you have always wanted to read? A classic that some of you would like to revisit or have never quite gotten to? An old favorite that you'd love to share with your group?


Try reading several works by one author or on the same topic. Or compare two books set in the same time period or focusing on related topics. Some reading groups even have themes, such as 19th century literature, science fiction, or women authors. If this is not the case with your group, remember that a major complaint of many reading groups is monotony --- all their books tend to have the same subject or tone. Be sure to include a variety of topics and voices in your selections so your group doesn't get bored.


Now that you've got your list of books, how do you choose which ones to read? In many groups, each member suggests several titles and the group decides together which they'll read. Often these groups will choose several months' or a year's worth of books ahead of time. In other groups, each member takes a turn making her or his selection. Your group might prefer the excitement of deciding next month's read only after this month's discussion, or you may prefer to plan at least two months ahead to allow time for everyone to get the book, especially if some of you are depending on the library for your copy.


Choosing your book list should be fun. The better informed you are about the titles you consider, the less likely you are to pick a dud. Make your list, and then enjoy the best part --- the reading and discussion of great books!

Første møte i 2008

Vi planlegger oppstartmøte i løpet av januar. Da skal vi diskutere hvordan vi vil at lesesirkelen skal fungere, møtehyppighet, praktisk opplegg osv. - mer info kommer - følg med på denne sida!