Book Sprouts
By Kristen on Jun 10, 2008 in Life - a little bit better
photo credit: bortescristian
For the past week I’ve been wondering if Book Club Classics readers might be interested in starting a short story book club — reading only stories that could be found online (i.e. — free and easily accessible… and short 
). The New Yorker publishes short stories online, as does The Paris Review, as well as many other sites, and I thought a short story book club might be, well, fun! Now that I’ve left the traditional classroom, I kind of miss short stories… and it appears that my current book club is taking a summer hiatus…
As luck would have it, this weekend I received a request to review a new site — Book Sprouts – that facilitates online book clubs!
I played around a bit with the site and found it to be very manageable and user-friendly. Basically, Book Club Classics would have its own “forum” for members to chat about their impressions of the latest story.
So, here’s what I’m thinking — each month we choose a story that is easily accessible online (free). I’ll publicize the link on Book Club Classics on the first of the month, then post a question or two in the Book Sprouts forum — members can then respond at their leisure!
In other words, no “due date” (beyond the end of the month) — just a laid-back, free-for-all, drop in when you have a minute sort of deal. And I really mean it about “laid back.” I know how much most of have to read already, not to mention the demands of our actual lives, so there would be no pressure to participate every month — feel free to drop by when you have a minute, but no guilt if you don’t have the time that month.
If you think you might be interested, simply leave me a comment!
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I’m interested — it sounds fun! Right now, I have overcommitted myself (big-time), but by August I should be good to go. I am interested in reading with you right away, but I might not be able to comment that much until I finish some of my other reading commitments!
Julie P. | Jun 10, 2008 | Reply
Thanks, Julie! I think it could be fun!!
Kristen | Jun 10, 2008 | Reply
Sounds fun! I’m not sure if I’d have the time, but I’d love to try it.
Heather | Jun 10, 2008 | Reply
Wonderful!! Thanks, Heather! And no pressure…
Kristen | Jun 10, 2008 | Reply
I would love to start reading short stories again and discuss the beauty (or not so) of short fiction. I would be interested.
Ann B. | Jun 10, 2008 | Reply
Thank you, Ann!
Kristen | Jun 10, 2008 | Reply
Ok Kristen you twisted my arm - I’ve never really read short stories so this would stretch my comfort zone
Mrs S | Blue Archipelago | Jun 11, 2008 | Reply
Oh good!! Now I will really want to find a particularly winning short story for our first discussion…
Kristen | Jun 11, 2008 | Reply
I’m in.
Anna | Jun 11, 2008 | Reply
Sounds interesting!
lisamm | Jun 11, 2008 | Reply
Thanks everyone!! I think this will be fun! Here is the link to the first story:
http://neptune.esc.k12.in.us/socratic/resources/SayYes.html
I’ll post a couple of questions on July 1st and we start discussing!!
Oh — I think I’ll just keep the book club on this site rather than on Book Sprouts. This way, others can join in easier…
Thanks, again!!
Kristen | Jun 12, 2008 | Reply
As I said on the BTT post, please count me in!
gautami tripathy | Jun 12, 2008 | Reply
Sounds like a great idea, I’m in. I’ve been wanting to read more short stories after finishing How to breathe underwater by Julie Orringer.
Alix | Jun 12, 2008 | Reply
Please count me in. Sounds like fun.
C.B.JAmes | Jun 13, 2008 | Reply
I’d like to join!
Sally | Jun 16, 2008 | Reply
Welcome, C.B.J. and Sally!! Thank you!
Kristen | Jun 16, 2008 | Reply