AHLEBC 2017 Round Up

Happy New Year fellow readers!

Before we get started with 2018, I wanted us to take a look back at our year of reading in 2017 via our voting in December (which was done via email and during our annual holiday / December meet up).

Here are the results from Lori's email:

Remember, our voting systems was a little unorthodox, for example, you could have more than one favorite, but we are not a rule following book club. We do things our way, baby! :-)

My Brilliant Friend Fav: 7 Liked: 4 No one thought this book was meh or hated it.

Thank Who Mistook his Wife... Liked: 5 Meh: 3 No one's favorite and no one hated it.

One Thousand White Women Liked: 6 Meh: 1 Hated: 1 No one's favorite.

When the Emperor was Divine Fav: 1 Liked: 6 Meh: 4 No one hated it.

The Bridge of San Luis Rey Fav: 1 Liked: 3 Meh: 5 No one hated this book.

Olive Kitteridge Fav: 4 Liked: 6 No one thought this book was meh or hated it.

Being Mortal Fav: 2 Liked: 8 Meh: 11 No one hated it.

Frankenstein Liked: 4 Meh: 3 Hated: 3 No one's favorite.

Euphoria Liked: 5 Meh: 4 Hated: 1 No one's favorite.

Orphan train Liked: 10 Meh: 2 No one's favorite and no one hated it.

A Man Called Ove Fav: 2 Liked: 7 Meh: 2 Hated: 2

So...

Favorite book: My Brilliant Friend Least Favorite: Frankenstein Most Liked: Orphan Train Most Meh: Being Mortal

Thanks for voting!

Speaking of "rules" - along with input from those who attended the annual holiday / December meet up, Lori and I have come to the decision (for lack of a better word) that we're bringing the bookclub back to its' roots in some ways to make it more inclusive for all who attend, and less "to-do" pressure for Lori, who has been our fearless and faithful leader though thick & thin, but as can happen with us all, needs to have less on-hands time with the bookclub now, as I have needed these last couple of years.

So in that spirit, here are the new old "rules" for 2018 and beyond:

-If you pick a book that gets chosen as a monthly selection, You are responsible for facilitating the month your book is assigned to.
-If you are unable to do so, please let Lori and myself know ASAP (or hit "reply all" to the latest email from us) so that we can go from there and someone can volunteer to facilitate in their place.
-(Emergencies are the obvious exception here, so in this case those who attend that month will carry on and discuss the book sans facilitator).

-If you are facilitating, that month you bring the snacks.
-If you're unable to do so, or would like everyone to try and bring something as well, please let the group know by hitting "reply all" to the latest email from us. This way those who are able to bring something can do so.
-(There are paper goods at the library already - if Lori or I aren't there, just ask the librarians).
-Lori will continue to bring the electric kettle and tea.

As a reminder: If you pick a book that is not on the Monmouth County Bookclub Library List, all will be done to try and locate enough copies of that book throughout the system, however, we cannot guarantee that there will be enough system wide and therefore we may ask you to pick a back-up title in case.

In closing, here is our 2017 annual Holiday / December meet up group photo!

Here's to another great year of reading together!
-Jo