I’m super excited to announce my participation in a newly formed online book club that’s going to be starting in January.   Born of Twitter conversation, as most things these days are, The Classic Reads Book Club is the wonderful creation of Jen at Devourer of Books, BethF of Beth Fish Reads, Heather of The Capricious Reader, Trish of Hey Lady Whatcha’ Readin?, myself and a host of other wonderful bloggers.   We’ll be reading and discussing a classic book each quarter of the year and have the first two of 2010 scheduled — 1st quarter East of Eden by John Steinbeck then 2nd quarter A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.

Discussion questions will be based on specific sections of the book and will likely be posted 1-2 weeks prior to the beginning of conversations.  The club intends to space the read-a-long and discussion over the full quarter to accommodate all participants busy schedules.   Further information about where discussions will take place will be available on the Classic Reads Book Club blog linked above.  Preliminary start dates for the first quarter discussion of East of Eden is as follows:

  • January 25th – discussion of Section 1 (Ch 1-11)
  • February 8th –  discussion of Section 2 (Ch 12-22)
  • February 22nd – discussion of Section 3 (Ch 23-33)
  • March 8th – discussion of Section 4 (Ch 34–end)

Ongoing discussion (and news about the club) can also be found on Twitter using the hashtag #classicreads so please join us there as we continue to be chatty and bookish.

Sounds like loads of fun right?  Helps with reading diversity right?  Gives us good stuff towards all our challenges right?  Well then what are you waiting for?  Join the Classic Reads Book Club!