The problem that I see with creating the thread now is that, for me, the threads are a place to have a conversation as a group. If we create the thread now when not everyone has had a chance to catch up, people might feel stressed that they have to catch up as soon as possible out of fear that they would otherwise be missing out on the conversation (I know I would). I feel that there is a better discussion when everyone is about at the same point in the book at the same time, so that’s why I wanted to create the next thread on Jan 1st. After @jhol’s comment I thought next week was a reasonable compromise (and the argument that it is a bit strange to have a long break halfway through a chapter is a good point).
You say that you want to keep up momentum, but my thought was that you don’t need the thread to keep reading: if you’re a little ahead then that just means that you’re ready to jump into the conversation when the thread is created.
Having said that, I would also like to add that I feel uncomfortable about this situation that I have gotten myself into. I am a relative newcomer on these forums and you two (and many of the other participants in this book club) have been on these forums for much longer than I have. I don’t pretend to now be in charge of the threads. I only volunteered to help out. But I did create that poll about taking a break out of the blue and updated the schedule. Perhaps I overstepped my bounds and I am very sorry if I did.
So, what I’m trying to say is: please don’t take my comment as a refusal to create the thread. I’m just sharing my thoughts so that you can take them into consideration. If you still think that we should create the thread now, just say so and I will create it. It is not my intention to start a whole new discussion with this comment.
I’ve noticed that there has been little discussion in the threads lately. I hope I didn’t hijack the discussion with all this talk about breaks and threads. At the end of the day, I think we should be discussing the book, not the process.
Not at all! Frankly I’m excited somebody else is taking the initiative. There’s nothing preventing anybody from doing the same except a willingness to put in a bit of extra work and I think you’re doing a great job of it.
I personally am most likely to respond right when I finish a week’s reading if I have the time and ability to do so, and I find I’m less likely to go back and post later on. That’s also why I typically try not to read ahead. So my suggestion to put up the thread early was also for the sake of facilitating discussion, but you bring up good reasons why others might not think the same way I do. Since you’re putting up the posts I defer to your judgement and really don’t take any issue either way as long as the threads go up.
Thanks again for doing this! And thanks for posting the ヨコハマ threads, too.
Remember, we’re posting the thread early, so don’t worry if you’re still catching up with the previous weeks. You still have until Jan. 8 to reach the end of the 七月 chapter.
Is this book dark? I’m thinking of joining this book club (playing catch up ) but I wanted to know ahead of time if this is something that turns dark story-wise. Not really in a place to read something like that and I’ve noticed dark stuff has popped up in the recommendations for some of the book clubs on here.
I would not describe the book as dark. If you’re worried about it turning into a battle royale or something along those lines, I assure you that nothing like that happens.
If you have more specific triggers, here’s some more information. It contains minor to moderate spoilers for the second book, but knowing this ahead of time shouldn’t ruin the ending.
There are scenes showing or referencing bullying throughout the book of course since that’s a key part of the story. There’s also a scene later on showing assault, though I just went back and reread the scene and I don’t think it’s that bad (depending on if that’s a specific trigger for you I suppose). There’s really nothing else noteworthy.
I’m also interested in joining this book club.
Would this thread be a good place for asking questions on past chapters? I’ve started making some notes while catching up, but I don’t feel like that warrants necroing past weekly threads.
We’re counting on questions being added to them, or else the threads will close in ten years. By all means, make use of the weekly threads for questions =D
Please do add to the weekly threads! The main reason being that those readers who come after you would be happy to find all questions and answers to that week’s assignment in one place, for easy lookups and to avoid being spoilered
The first book clubs had their discussions pretty much in one thread, and… we learned from that
) but I wanted to know ahead of time if this is something that turns dark story-wise. Not really in a place to read something like that and I’ve noticed dark stuff has popped up in the recommendations for some of the book clubs on here.