Just enjoy. I can't find a book group near me to save my life. Having two sounds like a dream.

Don't worry about it and enjoy it for what it is. Or, drop out of #2. It's a book club. Not something that needs deeper thought.

Personally, if someone is catering or footing the bill and can easily afford it, I'm all in!

It's hard to tell how much you enjoy book club #2. Your comments are snarky, but if you're getting some enjoyment out of it, why not just enjoy the ride? Maybe the person who you think is showing off doesn't LOVE reading but does LOVE hosting and having a sense of community.

Anonymous wrote:A job that requires you to read sounds fabulous. Are you in publishing?

no. I'm a librarian.

Anonymous wrote:“Gals” and “typical Americans” is so off putting in the OP that it is hard to concentrate on the rest.

"Gals" jumped out at me also. I recently read Anne Tyler's Clock Dance, and several characters said gals. I only know one person in real life who says gals, and he's an old guy from Texas. It made me doubt that Tyler really knew what her characters would say or do and distracted me from the story.

A job that requires you to read sounds fabulous. Are you in publishing?

“Gals” and “typical Americans” is so off putting in the OP that it is hard to concentrate on the rest.

Anonymous wrote:Interesting. I would have thought there would be a regular patter and everyone would stick with it. Why does book club #2 eat out sometimes but host at home others?

My experience has been that there is a general formula - always at a restaurant and everyone splits the bill. Always at someone's home and the hostess cooks or everyone always pitches in for pizza. It evens out even if one person has a slightly nicer place or picks a more casual restaurant. Is there a reason the group doesn't have a more uniform style which might alleviate some of this .

One of the members is a newish mom, she can’t host bookclub during bedtime so she treats us and we go out. another is too busy and doesn’t want ppl to come to her house so she treats us too.
It’s probably much more expensive going out so I have ppl at my house, as do most ppl.
The member who never reads the book doesn’t work, likes to cook, and wants everyone to see her new houses.

My big beef is that some don’t read the book. What is the point then?
I work three jobs (by choice) and the time i spend reading is intentional.

Is this a humble brag post? "I have two book clubs filled with intelligent, well-read people and many generous and gracious hosts. I love to read and have time to read all the books, while mentioning also how much OP reads on the job."

Yeah I would just enjoy it and try not to be uncomfortable. This is obviously a big deal to her and she's going all out, good for her.

Interesting. I would have thought there would be a regular patter and everyone would stick with it. Why does book club #2 eat out sometimes but host at home others?

My experience has been that there is a general formula - always at a restaurant and everyone splits the bill. Always at someone's home and the hostess cooks or everyone always pitches in for pizza. It evens out even if one person has a slightly nicer place or picks a more casual restaurant. Is there a reason the group doesn't have a more uniform style which might alleviate some of this .

Ummm both book clubs sound awesome. Why not enjoy them for their different vibes and not try to compare the groups.

Sounds like there’s a lot more discussion at boon club 1 and the second is more of a social group. How lovely that you have friends willing to host and feed you. I would assume they’re doing it because they can afford to and enjoy doing so. Make sure to thank them and reciprocate what you can, but otherwise I have no idea why you would drop them?

Sorry, what?? Why does it matter what culture they are?

I belong to two. I love to read and it's part of my job.
One was formed in 2018 - 7 ppl, still going strong, and we're all of the same political affiliation (which we discuss and sometimes drives our book selections), it pretty casual and all are down to earth. The focus is the book, not the meal provided, although it's all been low key and fine.
The other one - formed two years ago - about 10-12 of us - I really like most of the gals but a couple of the gals - it's almost as if they're showing off how well they can host. It's odd to me. One takes us out, pays for everything or caters at one of her multiple houses. I do like her - but I get a tad uncomfortable around her - she's so rich the rest of us are not in that league at all. Another book club member rarely reads the book, is a great cook, but seems like she wants to host all the time to show off her house.
Both of these members I described are from different cultures than typical Americans. I wonder if that's why they put more of an effort in hosting, rather than reading the book and discussing.
I know I could drop book club #2, but I do like some of the gals in there..