Anonymous
06/11/2026 14:04
Subject: The first rule of book club ...
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I am all for people having their own opinions about books and I actually think that many great discussions come out of people disagreeing.
However, there is a way to productively share your opinion.
Not especially helpful:
"I hated it"
-Ok that's fine, but why? Was the plot confusing, did the characters seem inconsistent, did you feel like the writing style was too wordy, did you have certain expectations that weren't met? Or what exactly?
Not especially helpful ... and also rude:
"Anyone who likes this book is an idiot"
-Not every book is for everyone and that's FINE. There's absolutely no need to make it personal.
But what infuriates me is that some ppl don’t like books because the main characters aren’t likable. What does that have to do with it being a good book? I do not get that. I want characters complicated and interesting.
Look at Natalie in Yesteryear....she was designed to be unlikable, but I still loved the book because it was well-written and interesting.
I write what you responded to and it’s our next bookclub selection. I’m guessing our discussion will center around women and how we’ve been sold a bill of goods. Could be wrong though. She’s awful, but what happens to her and how she sees the world is quite interesting.
Anonymous
06/11/2026 12:48
Subject: The first rule of book club ...
Anonymous wrote:RSVP. If I’m hosting, I want to know how many people are going to show up.
And don’t cancel last minute (barring true emergencies…but we get a lot of “I’m too tired after a trip,” “a kid is sick and prefers my ministrations to DH’s,” “got swamped with work”…). Cooking for 14 and having only 10 people show up is a bummer.
Anonymous
06/11/2026 12:32
Subject: The first rule of book club ...
RSVP. If I’m hosting, I want to know how many people are going to show up.
Anonymous
06/11/2026 12:23
Subject: The first rule of book club ...
First Rule of Book Club is read the book and why I haven't been in a book club in decades.
Anonymous
06/11/2026 11:27
Subject: The first rule of book club ...
Anonymous wrote:My book club doesn’t make comments like OP’s. Also, if a member hasn’t finished the book on time, too bad—we are discussing all parts of the book.
+1
Anonymous
06/11/2026 11:22
Subject: The first rule of book club ...
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I am all for people having their own opinions about books and I actually think that many great discussions come out of people disagreeing.
However, there is a way to productively share your opinion.
Not especially helpful:
"I hated it"
-Ok that's fine, but why? Was the plot confusing, did the characters seem inconsistent, did you feel like the writing style was too wordy, did you have certain expectations that weren't met? Or what exactly?
Not especially helpful ... and also rude:
"Anyone who likes this book is an idiot"
-Not every book is for everyone and that's FINE. There's absolutely no need to make it personal.
But what infuriates me is that some ppl don’t like books because the main characters aren’t likable. What does that have to do with it being a good book? I do not get that. I want characters complicated and interesting.
Look at Natalie in Yesteryear....she was designed to be unlikable, but I still loved the book because it was well-written and interesting.
Anonymous
06/11/2026 10:53
Subject: The first rule of book club ...
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I am all for people having their own opinions about books and I actually think that many great discussions come out of people disagreeing.
However, there is a way to productively share your opinion.
Not especially helpful:
"I hated it"
-Ok that's fine, but why? Was the plot confusing, did the characters seem inconsistent, did you feel like the writing style was too wordy, did you have certain expectations that weren't met? Or what exactly?
Not especially helpful ... and also rude:
"Anyone who likes this book is an idiot"
-Not every book is for everyone and that's FINE. There's absolutely no need to make it personal.
But what infuriates me is that some ppl don’t like books because the main characters aren’t likable. What does that have to do with it being a good book? I do not get that. I want characters complicated and interesting.
I've read some books where I couldn't have cared less if all the characters died on the next page. I'm fine with A Man Called Ove but I actually cared about him if I he wasn't likable. When I don't care what happens to them it makes it hard to continue reading the book.
Anonymous
06/11/2026 07:44
Subject: The first rule of book club ...
I don’t think we’ve ever had a book everyone liked but it makes for good book club conversations when some people like it and some people don’t (as long as they can talk about why that is and just say “well I loved it” or “I hated it”)
Anonymous
06/11/2026 04:19
Subject: The first rule of book club ...
My book club doesn’t make comments like OP’s. Also, if a member hasn’t finished the book on time, too bad—we are discussing all parts of the book.
Anonymous
06/10/2026 23:34
Subject: The first rule of book club ...
If they haven't finished the book I'm not going to tell them why I hated it and ruin the ending. Duh.
Anonymous
06/10/2026 21:25
Subject: The first rule of book club ...
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I am all for people having their own opinions about books and I actually think that many great discussions come out of people disagreeing.
However, there is a way to productively share your opinion.
Not especially helpful:
"I hated it"
-Ok that's fine, but why? Was the plot confusing, did the characters seem inconsistent, did you feel like the writing style was too wordy, did you have certain expectations that weren't met? Or what exactly?
Not especially helpful ... and also rude:
"Anyone who likes this book is an idiot"
-Not every book is for everyone and that's FINE. There's absolutely no need to make it personal.
But what infuriates me is that some ppl don’t like books because the main characters aren’t likable. What does that have to do with it being a good book? I do not get that. I want characters complicated and interesting.
I have a very different perspective on this. When I read books, I feel like I’m spending time with the characters. If I really like the characters and their voices, then I don’t need much of a plot or anything else to enjoy the book. If the characters are people I wouldn’t want to spend time with in real life, I usually won’t want to spend time with them in a book. It doesn’t matter how well written to book is, I’m not going to enjoy the read.
I’m somewhere in between. I don’t need to like the characters, but I don’t enjoy it when the character is checked out/seems to have no agency…especially if they are boring.
Anonymous
06/10/2026 17:55
Subject: The first rule of book club ...
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I am all for people having their own opinions about books and I actually think that many great discussions come out of people disagreeing.
However, there is a way to productively share your opinion.
Not especially helpful:
"I hated it"
-Ok that's fine, but why? Was the plot confusing, did the characters seem inconsistent, did you feel like the writing style was too wordy, did you have certain expectations that weren't met? Or what exactly?
Not especially helpful ... and also rude:
"Anyone who likes this book is an idiot"
-Not every book is for everyone and that's FINE. There's absolutely no need to make it personal.
But what infuriates me is that some ppl don’t like books because the main characters aren’t likable. What does that have to do with it being a good book? I do not get that. I want characters complicated and interesting.
I have a very different perspective on this. When I read books, I feel like I’m spending time with the characters. If I really like the characters and their voices, then I don’t need much of a plot or anything else to enjoy the book. If the characters are people I wouldn’t want to spend time with in real life, I usually won’t want to spend time with them in a book. It doesn’t matter how well written to book is, I’m not going to enjoy the read.
Anonymous
06/10/2026 17:46
Subject: The first rule of book club ...
Anonymous wrote:I am all for people having their own opinions about books and I actually think that many great discussions come out of people disagreeing.
However, there is a way to productively share your opinion.
Not especially helpful:
"I hated it"
-Ok that's fine, but why? Was the plot confusing, did the characters seem inconsistent, did you feel like the writing style was too wordy, did you have certain expectations that weren't met? Or what exactly?
Not especially helpful ... and also rude:
"Anyone who likes this book is an idiot"
-Not every book is for everyone and that's FINE. There's absolutely no need to make it personal.
But what infuriates me is that some ppl don’t like books because the main characters aren’t likable. What does that have to do with it being a good book? I do not get that. I want characters complicated and interesting.
Anonymous
06/10/2026 15:50
Subject: Re:The first rule of book club ...
Cosigned.
My young children were able to learn this. Sad that so many adults are still working on it. Sadder if they aren't working on it!
My young children were able to learn this. Sad that so many adults are still working on it. Sadder if they aren't working on it!
Anonymous
06/10/2026 14:58
Subject: The first rule of book club ...
I am all for people having their own opinions about books and I actually think that many great discussions come out of people disagreeing.
However, there is a way to productively share your opinion.
Not especially helpful:
"I hated it"
-Ok that's fine, but why? Was the plot confusing, did the characters seem inconsistent, did you feel like the writing style was too wordy, did you have certain expectations that weren't met? Or what exactly?
Not especially helpful ... and also rude:
"Anyone who likes this book is an idiot"
-Not every book is for everyone and that's FINE. There's absolutely no need to make it personal.
However, there is a way to productively share your opinion.
Not especially helpful:
"I hated it"
-Ok that's fine, but why? Was the plot confusing, did the characters seem inconsistent, did you feel like the writing style was too wordy, did you have certain expectations that weren't met? Or what exactly?
Not especially helpful ... and also rude:
"Anyone who likes this book is an idiot"
-Not every book is for everyone and that's FINE. There's absolutely no need to make it personal.