Book Club
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My critique group started a book club late last year. I’ve always been afraid of book club selections. Bad books, or not for me books are going to happen, but since trying the scribbler box I’m getting better at reading things I normally wouldn’t.
Photo by Samson Katt: https://www.pexels.com/photo/funny-dog-with-glasses-and-book-5256722/
I think I was the last member to pick a book in our rotation. I spent a week trying to think of what to ask them to read. My books are high body count and sexy. Two of our members are on the sweet side of romance. I didn’t want to pick one of my flaming hot books. That didn’t feel right.
The amount of vulnerability I felt was sky high and caught me off guard. I’ve read a ton of books. My choice should’ve been easy. Flip through my Goodreads, pick something and get on with it. But I vacillated. Asking others to read a book I love is like asking them to approve of my taste. What weird cyclical thinking.
The next book I want my group to work on with me is an Urban Fantasy with a touch of romance. Our group started as a romance critique group. But we’ve all branched out and tried other things. I picked another Urban Fantasy to give them a taste of what's coming.
I asked them to read Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison. This is a book I’ve read several times. It’s a series, so there would be more books in the universe if they liked it. A good choice.
The book is about ninety-three thousand words and was published in two thousand and four. The chapters are several scenes long. The book is a New York Times bestseller. There are sixteen books total in this series at the time of this writing.
If I boil the book down, it’s a paranormal bounty hunter book with a female lead. Elves, vampires, werewolves, and witches all make appearances. Sometimes as a bounty and other times as information hook ups. Living in the Hollows isn’t easy, but that makes for lots of fun adventures.
Photo by Ivan Samkov: https://www.pexels.com/photo/pink-moth-orchids-in-clear-glass-vase-7394393/
I’m not sure any of them enjoyed the book. They had lots to say, though. They loved the pixie Jenks. He’s a great sidekick. Always foul mouthed and sometimes comic relief. No one said much about the vampire. I found that interesting since I know what a big part she plays in later books.
I won’t type out their criticisms. That feels wrong. But, I don’t think any of them are going to read any of the other books. They didn't hate it. But it's interesting how critical we were of a book with a solid track record at a traditional publisher. Perhaps we're too hard on ourselves as well. Something to work on.
Does that mean my book choice was a bust? No. They all read it. The bonus is that some of the groundwork for my project with them has already been laid. Plus, they got a brief insight into my brain. Scary, but good.
If you can’t find a book club, make one yourself. You can meet online. There doesn't need to be any pressure. Easy Peasy. Learning about new to you genre or author can make you a better writer. Don’t overthink it. Happy Writing.
