Good Books Lately : The One-Stop Resource for Book Groups and Other Greedy Readers

Rating:
Summary: WHY IN THE WORLD
Review: "Why in the world would anybody write an entire book about bookgroups" was my thinking when I picked this book up to skim. I was very surprised at how well-written and interesting this book is, and couldn't resist reading on and on and on. These two women are obviously the experts on bookgroups and have a delightful way of presenting a plethora of information about all aspects of bookgroups. With solid tips on starting the group, choosing the books, understanding the plots and characters, anticipating and troubleshooting problems, the authors created a thoroughly enjoyable and informative guide instead of the pedantic and dull one I expected. They offer great tools for sparking lively debates as well as for negotiating through problems of personalities in the group. They even provide a great list of titles of recommended books.I went to their website for more recommended books after reading this fun, practical and highly useful guide. This is a resource I am thrilled I stumbled upon.

Rating:
Summary: Ultimate One-Stop Reference for Book Groups
Review: At last there is a lively resource book for book group discussions! With easy to follow chapters, this book gives the reader the tools to deepen any book group discussion. Whatever book type your group prefers, Kira Stevens and Ellen Moore have created a one-stop easy reference guide. I find that I often return to the book before book dicussions, making Good Books Lately an invaluable investment. The authors have made the analytical art of book discussions accessible, and fun. For all of us "greedy readers" - this is the ultimate reference for book lovers everywhere.

Rating:
Summary: Good Books Lately is a joy to read
Review: Good Books Lately is a joy to read--Kira Stevens and Ellen Moore have written a fun, informative and practical guide to everything you'd want to know about book groups. From tracing book groups back to sewing circles and salons to the day they met Oprah (yes, we're envious), Moore and Stevens give book groups the respect they deserve. The funny asides and anecdotes (like the Book Group Hall of Shame) make this such a personable and friendly guide. And the practical sections of the book are so comprehensive, intelligent and insightful, I know I'll be going back again and again to Good Books Lately--from choosing the book to discussing it, I feel I'll be a much better book group member now!

Rating:
Summary: Improve your book group!
Review: I absolutely loved this book on book groups. A friend of mine recommended it because I was complaining that our book group had gotten a little dull after 7 years. Now, we have reinvigorated our group with the help of this book. Every book group needs to read this book. Ellen Moore and Kira Stevens are absolutely brilliant and incredibly funny.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting ideas
Review: I don't know if book groups existed as far back as Gutenberg (religious book groups?), but can testify that they have been around since at least the 1960s as this reviewer joined an existing one during the Summer of Love (love to me was a novel). The authors do provide some historical perspective as Regency readers know of the reading groups formed in that era, etc. However, in recent years perhaps promulgated by Oprah, book groups have flourished making it more complex with so many choicest to choose the right one for a reader. Ellen Moore and Kira Stevens are experts on forming book groups, how to stir the debate on a particular book, and troubleshooting especially when the group seems stagnant among other topics. In GOOD BOOKS LATELY: THE ONE-STOP RESOURCE FOR BOOK GROUPS AND OTHER GREEDY READERS, the authors provide advice as they have done with their consulting firm.

This self help book is easy and fun to follow as it offers practical guidance on forming and maintaining a quality book group whether it is generalists or genre specific. Anyone who wants to start or improve a group will find this reference book offers solid tips to make a successful go. Most of all the Ms, Moore and Ms. Stevens encourage to keep on reading even if you are a group of one, but will appreciate a vigorous debate with others.

Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Nothing else like it!
Review: I've never read another book like "Good Books Lately: The One-Stop Resource for Book Groups and Other Greedy Readers." It's clever and smart without being condescending. Completely accessible! The book is a blend of history, anecdote and How-To. Whether you're in a book club, or just an avid reader on your own, this book is helpful. It gives great tips on being a more active reader and participant in discussion of books.
I had the good fortune of attending a book reading by the authors, Kira Stevens and Ellen Moore, and they are even more charming and clever in person! I was in tears with laughter listening to their encounter with Oprah - very funny stuff! Don't worry, the Oprah story is in the book, so you can get a good laugh too!

Rating:
Summary: Good Books Lately: The One-Stop Resource for Book Groups
Review: I've never read another book like "Good Books Lately: The One-Stop Resource for Book Groups and Other Greedy Readers." It's clever and smart without being condescending. Completely accessible! The book is a blend of history, anecdote and How-To. Whether you're in a book club, or just an avid reader on your own, this book is helpful. It gives great tips on being a more active reader and participant in discussion of books.
I had the good fortune of attending a reading of this book by the authors, Kira Stevens and Ellen Moore, and they are even more charming and clever in person! I was in tears with laughter listening to their encounter with Oprah - very funny stuff! Don't worry, the Oprah story is in the book, so you can get a good laugh too!

Rating:
Summary: What a great book!
Review: What a great book! Most how-to books can be dull or hokey, but the advice in this book is interesting, creative, fun and often hilariously funny. The authors take an important topic and make it very accessible. I was pretty nervous about starting a book group before I encountered "Good Books Lately," but now I'm encouraged and excited! After just starting this book, I felt like Ellen Moore and Kira Stevens were good friends of mine! This book's a great reference that I'll use and recommend often.

Rating:
Summary: What a great book!
Review: What a great book! Most how-to books can be dull or hokey, but the advice in this book is interesting, creative, fun and often hilariously funny. The authors take an important topic and make it very accessible. I was pretty nervous about starting a book group before I encountered "Good Books Lately," but now I'm encouraged and excited! After just starting this book, I felt like Ellen Moore and Kira Stevens were good friends of mine! This book's a great reference that I'll use and recommend often.