Taking Care of Our Members!

Hello clubbers and welcome to week 2 of August, aka the second week of Spin #18 (How’s that going btw? Started? Finished?). I wanted to write a post today to introduce myself, let you know a bit about my responsibilities to the club and tell you a bit about my future plans!

First off, My name is Margaret. I’ve been blogging and building websites for many years and I maintain a few commercial websites on a regular basis. Besides that, I also blog at my own site, Books In Bloom. I also work at my local library!

As for my duties in the club, I am the one taking care of our members. Over the last two weeks, I’ve started by trimming down the members list. There were a lot of dead links and expired lists. All lists that were elapsed have moved to the Members Archives, leaving only active members. I am also responsible for making sure new members are added to the list and be sure everyone’s link and entry is up to date. If you ever want to change or update your membership, I’d love to help you! In the coming weeks, I will be creating a Wall of Honor for our members who have completed their list!

Another of my duties includes manning the club Twitter! My idea for twitter is to increase our interactions with each other. I also would really like to highlight your reviews and posts. I’ve been trying to retweet all of your reviews and other club posts, but if I’ve missed your link, please let me know. I will also try to keep you guys informed on club events and twitter events.

I’ll be publishing a new post each month and I thought it would be cool to post some accumulative monthly stats:

NEW MEMBERS: 11

TOTAL MEMBERS: 381

NEW WALL OF HONOR MEMBERS: soon

Well guys, that is about all I have for today. If you have any questions, you can find me on twitter, the club email or the contact form here on the blog.

-Margaret

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August Events Around the Blogosphere

It’s August here at The Classics Club, and you might be wondering about events going on in the book world. Of course, we have our Classics Club Book Spin, but there are other activities we want to share with you going on around the blogosphere….

 

The TBR BustAThon is a seven-day readathon that occurs every two months. The goal is to read books on your TBR, so books you have already read do not count. Books you already started but have not finished yet only count if you are LESS than halfway through. There will be seven reading challenges and reading sprints hosted on the TBR Bust-A-Thon twitter account. The challenges can be doubled up but not tripled meaning you may use one book for two challenges. Round 3 will be held August 6 through 12.

The second round of the BreakYourTBRApart Readathon will be held August 10 through 16. The seven challenges for the readathon are posted on the group twitter site.

 

 

For the fifth year, Caravana de Recuerdos and Winstonsdad’s Blog will be hosting Spanish and Portuguese Lit Months during July and August. The invitation to the shindig is open to all, and participation is as easy as reading one or more works originally written in Spanish or Portuguese and letting Richard or Stu know about your July and August reviews by the end of the latter month.  As in previous years, Basque, Catalan, and Galician works will also count for participation purposes as Spanish and Portuguese “friendlies,” and those of you who don’t blog about books but still want to talk about them are naturally encouraged to join in on the discussion fun on participating blogs, on Twitter (with the rather unwieldy Twitter hashtag: #Spanishandportugueselitmonths), or wherever you care to indulge in your book talk. Take a look at this post for more information and to join in.

 

Austen in August is a celebration of all things Jane Austen, featuring reviews, discussions, vlogs, giveaways, interviews and more. This event runs all of the month of August. Faith Hope and Cherrytea has also created an Austen in August Instagram challenge for the month of August.  To find out more about the Austen in August Instagram challenge, visit Faith Hope and Cherrytea. To find out more about Austen in August, visit The Book Rat.

 

Bout of Books 23 will be held August 20-26, 2018. Bout of Books is a week long read-a-thon, usually from 12:01am on a Monday through 11:59pm on a Sunday in whatever time zone you are in. It is low pressure, meaning participants are only asked to push themselves to read more than they normally would during any given week. There is no competition between readers. How much time a reader wants, and can commit, to read, tweet, or network with fellow bloggers is left to individual preference. All challenges and giveaways are optional. Networking with fellow bloggers is actively encouraged, though never required. Use Twitter to post updates throughout the read-a-thon. Everyone will be tweeting with the #boutofbooks hashtag. Sign up at Bout of Books.

 

If you’re a Classics Clubber, please leave details about classic book blogger events you’d like to share with the group in the comments below. Please let us know the start and end date for the event, some details, and a link to the home site.  It’s fine to do this whether you’re the host of the event or simply want to share one you’ve discovered, as long as you’re a clubber. If you want to be notified of new events, subscribe to the comments below. (Also check out any events our members on Twitter may have tweeted about at hashtag #cceventsched.)

🙂 – The Club

 

Your Lucky Spin Number Is…

 

If you joined the game last week, find number 9 on your CC Spin #18 List! That’s the title you are challenged to read by 31st August, 2018. 

We know it can be hard to stay on track and enthused about your Spin Book for the whole month. We plan to provide support and encouragement to all our CC Spinners via twitter, fb, instagram and goodreads. We hope you can join us in cheering everyone on to finish another fabulous classics reading experience!

If you’re struggling with your book, let us know. We’ll do everything we can to help you through. Perhaps one of your new moderators has read it, or we can link you up with another Classics Clubber who has.

As always, the prize is the reading experience. 

What’s Next?

Tell us below what your number 9 title is:

• Are you feeling thrilled, hesitant or ‘meh’ about your title?
• Check out our ‘Reviews By Members’ page for other Classic Clubbers who may have read your book recently. They may be able to help you if you hit a speedhump in your reading.
• Cheer on your fellow Clubbers.
• Take a pic of your book and pop it on Instagram or twitter.
• If you can — it would be fabulous if everyone posted about their Spin book by the 31st August.
• Then check back here to share your experience and add your review to our ‘Reviews By Members’ page.

Hashtag: #ccspin  #ccwhatimreading

A new era

As one of your new moderators, I got the “lucky” job of being the first to introduce myself to you. You will see more introductory posts as the weeks progress.

I am honored to be chosen as one of your moderators and appreciate the fine job that the original moderators have done the last four years.

I have been a blogger since 2011 on my review blog What, Me Read? A few years ago, out of frustration at a very difficult move from Texas to Washington, I began a more personal blog, Moving to Washington, which I use to keep up with friends and acquaintances. Finally, just two weeks ago, I started The Fat Girl’s Guide to Hiking, a fun hiking guide for people who are out of shape.

I am a retired technical writer and college-level instructor of writing. I have two degrees in English Language and Literature. I love reading all kinds of books and talking about books with other people.

My jobs as moderator will be to post member reviews, keep the Big Book page updated, and moderate the Classics Club Goodreads page (which I am just getting acquainted with). For those of you who aren’t acquainted with the page, you should check it out. Until I became a moderator, I did not know about it either, as it is difficult to find using the search in Goodreads.

I also helped create the survey that you may have already filled out. That survey may help us with ideas for new activities we can bring to the blog. So, if you didn’t fill it out yet, please do so.

I also hope to help with a little revamp of the blog design. Right now, I am working entering in a backlog of member reviews, so if your review hasn’t shown up in the list yet, that may be why. It should soon!

And let’s not forget the spin! Later today I’ll be posting my list.

So, I hope to have discussions with some of you in the future, and again, I’m proud to be your moderator.

I’d like to make a fun feature of my monthly posts a little poll, so here it is.

Kay

CC Spin #18

Hello, Clubbers!

It’s time for another Classics Club Spin!What is the spin?

It’s easy. At your blog, before next Wednesday 1st August 2018, create a post that lists twenty books of your choice that remain “to be read” on your Classics Club list.

This is your Spin List.

You have to read one of these twenty books by the end of the month.

Try to challenge yourself. For example, you could list five Classics Club books you have been putting off, five you can’t WAIT to read, five you are neutral about, and five free choice (favourite author, re-reads, ancients, non-fiction, books in translation — whatever you choose.)

On Wednesday 1st August, we’ll post a number from 1 through 20. The challenge is to read whatever book falls under that number on your Spin List, by 31st August, 2018. We’ll check in here then to see who made it the whole way and finished their spin book!

What’s Next?

• Go to your blog.
• Pick twenty books that you’ve got left to read from your Classics Club List.
• Post that list, numbered 1-20, on your blog before Wednesday 1st August.
• We’ll announce a number from 1-20. 
• Read that book by 31st August.

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This is meant to be a fun, social way to read another book from your classics club list. We’re very relaxed about how you set it up, we simply want you to read more classics!

Sometime this week, at your blog, you might post something like:

My Book Spin List for the Classics Club –

1. Jane Eyre
2. The Inferno
3. Picnic at Hanging Rock
4. Oliver Twist
5. Clarissa
6. Gone With the Wind
7. Don Quixote
8. Testament of Youth
9. Richard III
10. The Iliad
11. Jude the Obscure
12. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
13. The Master and Margarita
14. Dracula
15. The Home and the World
16. Sense & Sensibility
17. Madame Bovary
18. The Diary of Anne Frank
19. Antigone
20. The Tale of Genji

(Obviously, YOU choose what books YOU want to list, in what order.)

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Next Wednesday?

We will announce a number from 1 through 20. When we announce it, go to your Spin list. Find that number, read (and hopefully, review) the book listed for that number by 31st August.

So, if (for example) we announce #14, and if the above list was your Spin List, you’d have to read Dracula.

The prize, of course, is the reading experience 🙂

When we announce the number next Wednesday, come back and tell us your spin title.

Who’s in?

Add the link for your spin list in the linky below and join in the discussion. 

Hashtag: #ccspin

A New Beginning

Hello Clubbers!

Welcome to our shiny new Classics Club hosted by your brand new moderators Brona, Deb, Kay and Margaret.

We’re thrilled to have been given this opportunity to steer our much loved club into its next phase. We’re bursting with enthusiasm and new ideas and can’t wait to get stuck in.

A HUGE thank you to Adam, in particular, for his time in guiding us through this transition phase. We’re honoured to join such an inspiring team of bloggers who have volunteered their time over the years to establish, grow and maintain such a large community-based site. Jillian, Heather, Adam, Allie, Melissa, and Sarah – the classics blogging world is forever in your debt.

Thank you also to all our wonderful blogging friends who have taken the time to welcome the four of us here, on twitter, instagram & on our own blogs. We hope you continue your classics journey with us. We’d love to hear any fabulous ideas you might have for the future direction of The Classics Club.

A brief survey has been included below to help us get a better feel for who is still visiting the blog or engaging with the club on social media. We welcome any ideas and suggestions. Tell us what you love (or not) about the club and how you like to participate in classics related events (or not).

We have a brand new Instagram page and Pinterest account, as well as our Twitter handle, Facebook page and Goodreads group.

In coming weeks, look out for a new look on the blog, regular weekly posts, and the next CC Spin (wahoo!)

We’d love to hear from you and get to know you all better. Please leave a comment below or say ‘hi’ on social media.

Classics Club Survey

Farewell! Hello!

Greetings, Classics Clubbers!

As you know, our founding moderators (what shall we be known as, now? “Legacy Moderators” “First Gen Moderators!?”) decided it was time to retire and make on their merry ways with other projects and responsibilities. They embarked on a perilous journey of calling for, vetting, and coordinating with new “Next Gen” moderators, those worthy few who were eager and prepared enough to carry our incredible Classics Club into the future!

A call went out, a massive response was received, and ultimately, four new exceptional individuals were selected as our noble successors. Now, it is time for us –Adam, Allie, Melissa, and Sarah– to say goodbye to you all and to introduce you to our four new Club Moderators! Here they are – please give them a very warm welcome!

Brona

I’ve been blogging at Brona’s Books since 2009 and managing an Independent bookshop in Sydney since 2008. Before that I was an early childhood teacher for 18 years in country NSW. I run a photography blog called Four Seasons and edit the Non-fiction page for the Australian Women Writers challenge. My love affair with classics began with Little Women, Seven Little Australians and the What Katy Did series. In my teens I fell in love with Jane Eyre, Anne of Green Gables and To Kill A Mockingbird. My favourite authors (to date) are Jane Austen, Wilkie Collins, Edith Wharton and Emile Zola. I joined the Classics Club in August 2012 and completed my first list in April 2018. I love the supportive community that has built up around the Classics Club and I’m a HUGE fan of the CC spins! One of my Classics Club highlights was meeting Melissa (gen one moderator) and her Huz when they visited Australia a few years ago. I’m thrilled to be part of the team that will guide the Classics Club into it’s next phase. Find me on Twitter: @BronasBooks!

Deb N.

Books are my happy place. Since I started spontaneously reading at age two, I’ve spent many happy hours with a book. I’ve been fortunate to not only read for fun, but to read for a job; I served as a teacher and a school librarian from 1977 until my retirement in May of 2018. I’ve blogged at Readerbuzz for over ten years. I made my way through lots of classics as a child, including Aesop’s Fables and Grimm’s Fairy Tales. As I got older, I read and loved Don Quixote; The Glass Bead Game; I, Claudius; Walden; The Odyssey; and Kafka’s Metamorphosis. I’m especially interested in children’s classics and in reading classic books from diverse cultures. I was late to the game, joining The Classics Club in January of 2018. But I’ve hit the road running; in a half a year I’ve read more than fifteen books on my list. When I’m not reading, I’m busy writing on one of a half dozen books I’ve started or swimming or walking or doing yoga or baking bread or drawing or traveling, and I’m always happily obsessing about what to read next. I am delighted to serve as one of the four new Classics Club moderators. Find me on Twitter: @Debnance!

Kay R.

I don’t remember when I read my first classic, but it was probably a fairy tale or it may have been something by Louisa May Alcott or Frances Hodgson Burnett. I know I read David Copperfield at a fairly early age, and when I was 11, I picked up Dostoevsky (although I had no clue what was going on). Years later, I have a Master’s degree in English Literature and Language. I am a long-time professional technical writer (now retired—yippee!) who also taught composition and technical-writing courses at the college level. I love reading all kinds of books. When I got an iPad and spent some hours playing games, my husband thought I’d undergone a personality change. But soon I was back to reading. I am the secret author of three (sadly unpublished) trashy romance novels, and I write three blogs, What, Me Read?, a book review blog; Moving to Washington, about adjusting to an entirely new live in Washington State (yay!) after moving from Texas; and The Fat Girl’s Guide to Hiking, a brand new blog with reviews of hiking trails in Washington and Oregon for people who aren’t as fit as the people who usually write hiking guides. I joined Classics Club shortly after starting my reading blog, almost seven years ago, because I thought it was a great idea to encourage people to read classics. I am working on my second Classics Club list.

Margaret S.

My earliest aspiration was to work in a library or basically just with books. I used to be literally the only one in the school library during lunch and I’d even sneak to the local University’s library even though I was still in high school. When I graduated and began “adulting”, I realized how hard it was to work at the library…it’s actually a city government job with high prerequisites. So instead I got a job at the pharmacy, went to school and started a blog. I’ve been blogging, building websites and other computer stuff for the last 7 years & happily last May, I finally landed a spot at the library and plan to work my way up! My blog can be found at Books in Bloom.

So, there they are, our four new moderators! We wish them all the best in their new adventure and will be eagerly awaiting what comes next, as we plan to remain Club members ourselves. Please check back here on Monday for a brand new post from your brand new Moderators! Happy reading!

End of An Era: Call for Moderators!

Hello, Clubbers!

After six incredible years, your Classics Club moderators (Adam, Allie, Melissa, and Sarah) are ready to move on to other projects and are in need of a new, passionate, motivated crew of moderators to take over The Classics Club for the next generation.

Are you one of these select few?

What you need to know: The Classics Club is a large community. We have the blog here, of course, but also a Goodreads page, a Facebook page, and a Twitter account. We also have a busy e-mail (Gmail) account to keep up with. Ideally, or so far as we discovered, what works best is to have a group of folks who can work on different elements of the blog: each person responsible for a specific monthly feature post, for example; a person who updates the book list; a person who reviews membership requests and updates those accordingly; a person engaged in event outreach and updating that page accordingly, etc.) Then, aside from blog duties, it seemed smart (for us) to have one person manage the Twitter, one manage Facebook, one manage Goodreads, and one manage e-mail. As such, we are actively seeking four new moderators, as this seems the ideal number. It allows for a good division of work without being too large a group (which is important when it comes to things that need consensus).

There is always a lot going on, so time management and an ability to communicate with your fellow moderators, and stick to your assigned tasks/schedules, is probably going to be crucial to success. That said, it will be your Club to moderate, moving forward. The four of us plan to stay members, and Adam of Roof Beam Reader will stay on board for a few weeks to help transition, but then, it is all up to you!

So, what do you think? Do you have the time, energy, and enthusiasm to become a Classics Club Moderator? Have you been waiting for your chance to do more with this club? If so, please fill out this form. (Applications are now closed.) Over the next couple of weeks, we will be reviewing the responses to select four people who seem compatible, whose work schedules seem to make sense, and whose interests seem complementary. We will be in touch with the selected parties to confirm their interest and get them on board. When your new moderators are comfortable, they will be given access to all elements of the Club and an announcement will be made to all that the “Classics Club Next Generation” is live!

Thank you, sincerely and from the bottom of our hearts, to each and every one of you. We have absolutely adored being your founders and moderators these last six years. We send a special thank you to Jillian and Heather, who were there to start it all, and to those of you who, even having “won” your challenge, stuck around for more and are now on your SECOND lists. You’re all beautiful. Happy reading, now and ever!

-Adam, Allie, Melissa, and Sarah.

Event Call: July & August

Hey guys! We want to make sure we’re all on top of the Community Events our members offer through the club. If you are hosting anything for The Classics Club community in the coming weeks, please give a shout out below with the name of the event, the dates, a link (either to the event, or your blog), and any special rules. (Like, you must check in weekly or don’t take part — that sort of thing.)

And then maybe also add it to the Events Page. This post is mostly a way to keep things present in our clubbers’ plans. It’s probably easy to forget that page is there. 🙂

If you’re on Twitter, please tweet your event to –

• @ourclassicsclub
• hashtag: #cceventsched

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Please note:  For this month, please tell us about any events you have planned for July & August.

Have ideas for future events but prefer someone else host them? Please share them in the comments! Maybe someone will take up the torch!

Good reading –

– The Club

Monthly Meme! June 2018

“Reading” – Auguste Renoir (1890-1895)

Hi clubbers! Last month, we brought back our monthly Classic Meme feature. In the future, we’ll be thinking up new memes, revisiting some old ones (because there were a lot of great ones!) and taking recommendations, too! So Tweet us with your suggestions!  (Or leave them in the comments.)

Here’s the question for June 2018:

We want you to mingle. Go to our member list and select a fellow classics clubber you’d like to feature on your blog. This can be someone who is active within the Classics Club, someone quiet who inspires with his/her posts, someone new to the club or scarce whom you’d like the club to meet. S/he can be a friend of yours, or someone you’ve never met. Tell readers why you value this club member. Highlight at least one post from his/her blog.

Feel free to answer over at your blog any time in June, and leave the link to your post in the comments below!

(Answers can be as thorough or brief as you like, but let’s share and connect, eh?)

Most importantly – have fun!

Book Corner: What Are You Reading?

“Reading (portrait of Edma Morisot).” Berthe Morisot, 1873.

Here’s a space to tell the club what you’re currently reading. You’re welcome to use the comments below.

No pressure, of course! But if you’re feeling social, here’s a space to tell us about your latest classic. As always, you are of course welcome to leave a link to your blog if you prefer to share there.

Twitter hashtag: #ccreadingupdate

– The Club

Group Check-In #31: May 2018

What is this? Click to find out.

Hi Clubbers! How’s the reading going?

Tell us about your project — or you! Introduce yourself. Chat.

Tell us what you’ve read, how you’re feeling about your progress, how much you love the classics or the community — any struggles, a favorite read so far. Really, whatever you feel like sharing!

Some people prefer writing an update at their own blog and linking it here in the comments. That’s fine, too.

Feel free to respond to one another in the comments below — ask questions, visit each other, tell us you are new to the club, planning to join the club — etc. This is a meet and greet.

If you’re having trouble with your list and need encouragement, say that! That’s understandable. We want new classics readers to join us, so there’s nothing wrong with arriving to this thread with all of the newness showing!

(Please also note the “check-in” feature here is entirely voluntarily, intended for those who like weighing in with others in the group, and having a periodic place to reflect upon goals for the club. For some this feature would feel like an unwanted intrusion. Silent participation in this group is of course welcome!)

Thanks for all of your enthusiasm about this project!

New? Introduce yourself to the group on Twitter using hashtag #ccintroductions @ourclassicsclub. You can also introduce yourself here at the blog. 🙂

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Twitter hashtag for reading check-ins: #ccreadingupdate

Note that if you’re on Twitter, you can also tweet your latest classic book reviews to the group using hashtag #ccbookreviews.

The Monthly Meme Returns! May 2018

“Reading” – Auguste Renoir (1890-1895)

Hi clubbers!! We’re excited to be bringing back our monthly Classic Meme feature. This month’s question revisits our very first meme question for the club! In the future, we’ll be thinking up new memes, revisiting some old ones (because there were a lot of great ones!) and taking recommendations, too! So Tweet us with your suggestions!  (Or leave them in the comments.)

Here’s the question for May 2018:

see future questions for this meme

What is your favorite classic book? Why?

Feel free to answer over at your blog any time in May, and leave the link to your post in the comments below!

(Answers can be as thorough or brief as you like, but let’s share and connect, eh?)

Remember to check out this page for details! And then check out one another’s posts! 🙂

Today’s the Day! Did you finish your SPIN book? #ccspin

Click for details about the Spin.

All right, clubbers! Back in early March, we announced The Classics Spin #17, challenging you to read Book #3 on your spin list by April 30.

Guess what? Today is April 30!

Did you read your book? Did you write about it, or will you?

What was your book, and what did you think? Share below. Feel free to link to your post below, if/when you write about your book.

As always, the prize is the reading experience. Details here.

Twitter hashtag: #ccspin

– the Club

Book Corner: What Are You Reading?

“Reading (portrait of Edma Morisot).” Berthe Morisot, 1873.

Here’s a space to tell the club what you’re currently reading. You’re welcome to use the comments below.

No pressure, of course! But if you’re feeling social, here’s a space to tell us about your latest classic. As always, you are of course welcome to leave a link to your blog if you prefer to share there.

Twitter hashtag: #ccreadingupdate

– The Club

Group Check-In #30: April 2018

What is this? Click to find out.

Hi Clubbers! How’s the reading going?

Tell us about your project — or you! Introduce yourself. Chat.

Tell us what you’ve read, how you’re feeling about your progress, how much you love the classics or the community — any struggles, a favorite read so far. Really, whatever you feel like sharing!

Some people prefer writing an update at their own blog and linking it here in the comments. That’s fine, too.

Feel free to respond to one another in the comments below — ask questions, visit each other, tell us you are new to the club, planning to join the club — etc. This is a meet and greet.

If you’re having trouble with your list and need encouragement, say that! That’s understandable. We want new classics readers to join us, so there’s nothing wrong with arriving to this thread with all of the newness showing!

(Please also note the “check-in” feature here is entirely voluntarily, intended for those who like weighing in with others in the group, and having a periodic place to reflect upon goals for the club. For some this feature would feel like an unwanted intrusion. Silent participation in this group is of course welcome!)

Thanks for all of your enthusiasm about this project!

New? Introduce yourself to the group on Twitter using hashtag #ccintroductions @ourclassicsclub. You can also introduce yourself here at the blog. 🙂

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Twitter hashtag for reading check-ins: #ccreadingupdate

Note that if you’re on Twitter, you can also tweet your latest classic book reviews to the group using hashtag #ccbookreviews.