Yesterday when I read Jonathan Washburn's blog It's Raining Books, which actually related back to Mark Flanders blog on Let's Have a Contest, my thoughts were on books, rather than contests. I thought about the recent blogs on great books to read and thought, OK, I'll start a book group.
Now, I'm a member of Millionaire Real Estate Book Club, and Realty Blogging Book Club, though I haven't contributed or visited them in a while (more intentions than time), but neither of those fit all these general books I had in mind. Well, rather than just jump in and start something, much as I like books, perhaps it's better to first check out existing groups. I clicked on GROUPS, and in the search box, typed in BOOKS. Seven groups appeared, including the two I already belong to. Let's check the others out. Hmm, here's one called The Chic Book Club. It has 49 subscribers and 44 posts. Actually, it's the oldest of all of the book groups (OK, TLW, only by a day). Let's check it out. Ann Cummings from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, first started this back in November, when groups first came out. Wow, one of the book blogs has had over 6,000 views! (way to go, Jeff Turner). Others have had over 4,000 views. The group not only has quantity of views, it has quality of books:
- Blink
Small is the New Big- The Book of Questions
- The "I HATE Selling Book"
- How to Ruin Your Life
What Queen Esther Knew- 21 Things I Wish My Broker Had Told Me
and of course,
There are several books and comments on Blogging, and Allen Hainge posted some books that were recommended during the Cyberstar Summit.
So - being a bookaholic, why didn't I find this group? Perhaps the title, The Chic Book Club, put me off. Perhaps I was only reading blogs about groups, and joining from them. In any case, better now than never. Maybe it's because this book club started by concentrating on blogging books - it's just kind of evolved since. I'm not only joining, I'm going back through all of my blogs about books, and linking them to this group (I'm not going to link to mine here - if you're interested, just go to The Chic Book Club and they'll all be there.
(Ann - if you don't want this expansion to a group about all specific books, books in general, and bookaholics, let me know and I'll start a new club. Otherwise, we'll just expand yours.)
It would also be great if all the other members who've posted about books add those to the list as well. Some of the ones that come to mind (with links to the blog about them) are:
- Raving Fans
- Billion Dollar Agent: Lessons Learned
- Flipping Houses For Dummies
- Little Red Book of Selling
- Hit the Ground Leading
- Shut Up ... Stop Whining ... and Get a Life
- The Marketing Gurus
- Use What You've Got
- Why We Want You To Be Rich
- The Richest Man in Babylon
And then some others blogged with lists:
Wallace Hobbs gave Robert Bruss's list of 10 best real estate books
Jonathan talked about reading and book and returning it to ActiveRain, or sending it on to another member who would then return it, etc. For those people who don't want to pay for mailing a book, but are willing to pass it on, read my past blog about about Book-Crossing. At CyberProfessionals conferences, just before it's over, we'll exchange books that we read on the trip out.
So, Jonathan - it's been Raining Books all along! Thanks for the reminder, the suggestions, and the book rewards.
Hi Sharon,
This is a wonderful resource list and one that I would like to attack if I could just find some extra time for reading. Right now, I have 4 books that I've started to read and am not making much headway since the real estate market has picked up. BTW, I always enjoy the Robert Bruss columns. Wish our local newspaper carried his info. Thanks for sharing.
Sharon - thanks for this post, and feel free to expand away on that group. I've been a little neglectful lately on that group and intend to get back to tending it. I wonder if a name change is something I should consider? It started out to be something different than it has evolved into, which is how the name came about on that first day. Thoughts???
Ann, I think a name change would be great. Steve's comment shows he was put off by the name as well - and we do have a lot of men bookworms. How about just The Book Club or The Book Group - it's short and to the point, as opposed to a cutesy Bookworm's Book Club.
There have been several blogs about booklovers, book storage, etc that would also be appropriate for the group.
The more I think about it, the more I like The Book Group. Club, especially as it related to books, may give the connotation of a required discussion, or monthly selections, rather than just a place to share books we've liked and what books mean to us.
Dianne - try www.bobbruss.com
Tony - how have you catalogued all your first editions?
Steve - I think my prior comments address the name, especially since Ann's willing to change it.
Chris - agreed. Wants and needs could be part of The Book Group.
Sadly my books were replaced by the computer.
Love the fresh content of posts though.
BLOGS BLOGS BLOGS
Hi Sharon - ok, name has been changed. New name is The AR Book Group. You like? I also beefed up the description a bit, too. Feel free to let me know if you have any other suggestions.
Thanks!
Ann
Thanks for the post, my friend!
I'll join one or two of the groups, since I read a lot. There seems to be a correlation to the number of books I read and the flights I take! :-)
Just got what looks like a good one: "Naked Conversations: How Blogs Are Changing The Way Businesses Talk With Customers" by Robert Scoble & Shel Israel. I'll let you know my opinion after I get into it. It's my bedtime reading tonight!
It's a great day here on the lake in Reston...hope it's a great day for you and your lovely daughter down there in Tampa!
Allen - yes, I read more when I fly as well. Will be interested to hear what you think of Naked Conversations.
Ann - good name change - hopefully that will attract more people. Also like your revised description. Let's see where it goes!