As you may or may not know I love reading! It all started the summer after 6th grade. I guess I would have been twelve or thirteen years old. There was a book fair at our school library on the last day of school. I think the idea was students could pick up a few books for summer reading. I was intrigued by this book that had a funny little illustration on the cover of a boy riding a broom, trying to catch a small golden globe with wings. On a whim I bought it. This book turned out to be Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. And it was awesome!!!! That summer I absolutely fell in the love with reading, and it’s turned into a lifelong thing. Probably many of you have a similar story. Do you remember the first book you stayed up through the night reading because you just couldn’t put it down?
During the last two years I’ve noticed a sharp decline in the amount of reading I do. I have a busy work schedule and a full social life. I am very lucky and thankful for these things! But I wanted to make a small goal in 2014 to be a little more committed to reading—like actually make time for it, rather than just waiting for the free time to appear. And that’s when Elsie and I hatched this idea: start an A Beautiful Mess book club!
Here’s how it works: Every month we read a book. Just one book a month. Nothing that scary. We will announce the book at the very beginning of the month (or a few days before) so you will have a little time to buy, download or check the book out from your local library. We’ll try to have variety, reading different authors and subject matters as often as we can, but every book will be a for-fun read. Mostly (if not all) fiction. We are very open to suggestions but most selections will be chosen a few months in advance so don’t fret if your suggestion isn’t up next. At the end of every month we will host an online discussion of the book on the blog. You should totally join in! If we select something you’ve already read you are still very welcome to join in and connect with us at the end of the month.
So are you in? In January we will be reading The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer. I already got my copy. You should get yours. Do it. Do it. (That’s me cheering you on.) xo. Emma
Credits // Author: Emma Chapman, Photography: Janae Hardy and Emma Chapman
Same age (probably). My sister was a younger reader (she started with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone too!) and my mom used to read all the time as a child (as in Agatha Christie material), but I just wasn’t. Then I read Claudia Gray’s “Evernight” and that was it for me. It sparked the inner reader in me and I haven’t stopped ever since!
Hi, this sounds awesome! I’ve been wanting to join an online book club. How can I officially join and how will I know you’re having the live discussion? Is there an email that will go out?
Please don’t laugh! Lol I’m just not familiar with the blogosphere. Thanks so much!
The first book that really got me into reading was also Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone! I was about 10 or 11 and all I would do is read nonstop! I miss those days! It’s sad how much life really takes a hold of you and makes it hard to sit down and enjoy the things I used to love! I’m a bit late, but I plan on joining ABM’s Book Club! My goal this year is to AT LEAST read 12 books – 1 a month! Very excited 🙂 I see February’s selection is AFIOS – I’ve read just over half so I’m ahead of the game! YAY!
I am in! I have just downloaded the book for February The Fault in our Stars. I am so excited about this can’t wait to go into work tomorrow to tell the girls about this online reading club. Thank you.
This is the perfect thing to add to my “try 14 new things in 14” list. I’ve never been a part of a book club of any sorts and have always wanted to.
I actually just finished this, not knowing you guys were having a book club… so excited for the discussion now. yay reading! 🙂
A wonderful idea to have an online book club. A book club gets me reading books I might not have chosen myself, a big plus, but a real life club takes time and so much real life chatter. When will you be discussing the book. I got a Kindle version from the library and am enjoying it.
Thanks for starting this.
When are you going to announce the next book!?!?!?!!!
Please help me guyz I’m lazy to read but I wanna fight that and read more often
Just started reading this book! Book club is a fantastic idea. I am such an avid reader so it’s nice to have a suggested book for each month.
Thanks for starting the book club! I had been neglecting my love of books and this has reminded me how very much I enjoy reading. I’m looking forward to starting the next one ?
Count me in for February 2014!
I just finished it…wow. Can’t wait for the discussion! Feels like in high school when my best friend & I used to read the same book and had to wait for the other one to finish before we could talk about it! xo
I may be too late, but I’m gonna try to join it this month! Sounds fun!
Wow Laura! This is stunning! I’m planning a gold themed office, brilliant ideas
, love it, meabh xox
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i’m joining in. 🙂 a little late i guess, but i don’t mind! i’m flying from dc to san fran and back, so i’ve got a lot of reading time ahead of me in the next week!
Amazing idea! Is there a way to receive a notification for when this will happen at the end of the month?
Hey Emma, I just purchased my copy. I was reading another book for my real life book group which I had to finish first. When will you be hosting your online chat? Really want to finish before so I won’t see spoilers. This is a great idea too, I love how your lifestyle blog really covers more areas of life now. Thanks. Zoe
Just put it on hold at my library! Excited for a year of good books 🙂
Loved this book!!! can’t wait to talk about it!