General:
What is AUSA Book Club all about?
What is AUSA Book Club all about?
This society was created by book-lovers for book-lovers in 2011. We meet on a regular basis to discuss books that were agreed upon beforehand. Books are selected in a democratic way and during each session there are two simultaneous discussions of two different titles.
We aim to provide Aberdeen University students with a platform to discuss their favourite/most recently read books with other passionate readers and enable conversations/debates about issues within both contemporary and classic literature.
So join our open-minded debates accompanied by a friendly chat and a good bite! Expose yourself to a variety of genres, authors and points of view. Meet new people who all share a common passion: reading. Our motto: 'In case of good books, the point is not how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you.’ (Mortimer Adler)
What are the benefits and opportunities the Book Club offers?
The existence of a book club encourages reading among students. They are exposed to a variety of authors and genres and having an opportunity to broaden their horizons by reading books they typically might not read – or even know about. Secondly, the book club is a great platform to facilitate an exchange of intellectual and diversified opinions about the key issues within the discussed novels e.g. gender inequality in ‘Witness the night’ or cloning in ‘Never let me go’, etc. This enables one to discover some unusual and interesting insights of other members about particular issues, characters or situations. Last but not least, a book club is a great mean to meet new people who all share the passion for books and an open-minded discussion.
What kind of events do you run and how often?
-Book Club sessions: we meet once every three weeks and discuss previously chosen books.
-Movie screenings: if one of the discussed books has been adapted into a film, we organize screenings for both members and non-members of the Book Club.
-Game nights: once each semester we organize an evening full of fun games where members can show off their literary knowledge and imagination and win some cool prizes.
-Nights out: at least once every semester we organize a night out with a literary theme
-Trip following literary footsteps: depending on available funding, we plan to organize such a trip; this could be e.g a trip to Barcelona and following the action of Zafon's 'Shadow of the Wind' or a trip to Bath where Jane Austen spent a major part of her life and where the action of her novels often took place.
Book Club sessions:
Where can I find information as to when and where the next discussion will be taking place and which books will be discussed?
You can find that information on our website (http://ausabookclub.blogspot.com) in the events section.
How do you choose books that will be discussed during the next session?
First and foremost- it's not as complicated as it sounds! During each session we discuss two different books from two different genre blocks: Block A and Block B. Block A includes the following genres: absurdist novel, adventure novel, comic novel, fantasy, horror, science fiction,suspense fiction, thriller, literary nonfiction, philosophical fiction, religious fiction and westerns. Block B includes the following genres: young adult fiction, education fiction, erotic fiction, historical fiction, memoir, occupational fiction, women's fiction and cross genre. Please go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_literary_genres for the list of all sub-genres. The Book Club Committee automatically produces three book proposals for Block A and three proposals for Block B and each member has a right to produce one proposal for Block A and/or one proposal for Block B. Member proposals must be submitted electronically one week before the Book Club session. Five days before the session, the list of all the book proposals is produced. The list is sent to each member by e-mail, posted on Facebook group and on our blog. Members have those five days to acquaintain themselves with all the titles and pick the title they would like to discuss. After the Book Club session (for which the titles were agreed during the previous session), we vote for the books to be read and discussed during the next session. Each member has one vote only. After each member casts their vote, we end up with two titles for the next session: one for Block A and one for Block B. A member has the freedom to choose which book to read. A member can read both titles but must keep in mind that he/she will only have time to discuss one title during the next session as both books are discussed at the same time (two separate discussion groups are formed).
Why do you discuss two different books during each session instead of one?
By doing so, we try to attract variety of members. The usual stereotype of a book club is that it is run by women and for women. By choosing two books from two separate genre blocks, we try to ensure that both women and men have a chance to read and discuss a book from a genre they most enjoy.
How do you discuss books?
Many book editions have book club discussion questions at their very end. There are also Internet databases that offer book club questions e.g. http://bestsellers.about.com/. The Book Club Committee composes such a list within first three days since the previous session. The list of book club discussion questions is then sent to each member via e-mail and is posted on our Facebook profile and on our blog. The list is not exhaustive and members are free to come up with other questions they would like to discuss.
Can I attend a discussion session even if I haven’t read either of the books that will be discussed?
Sure you can! Book Club sessions are not lectures/tutorials or seminars – you do not have to come prepared. Just come along, socialise and have a good time.
Do I need to participate in the actual discussion?
No you don’t. It is perfectly fine if you are more of a listener or observer.
Do I need to arrange my own copy of the book that will be discussed during the next session?
Unfortunately, yes. We do not have enough resources to arrange a copy for everyone. We will provide you with information as to where local bookshops and libraries are and where you can buy a cheaper second hand copy. We also encourage our members to give a shout on our Facebook profile or via e-mail that they are finished reading their copy and that other members are free to borrow it. We believe that three weeks gives one enough time to arrange a copy and complete the reading.
Are Book Club Sessions only about book discussions?
Absolutely not! Book clubs all around the world are about good books, good friends and good food … and in case of Aberdeen University's Book Club – international friends and international cuisine. Coffee, tea and biscuits are provided for every session by the Book Club. Members are welcome to show off their cooking skills and volunteer something along to the book club session if they want (but they do not have to). After every book club discussion, which should take about an hour, we shall have another hour for some friendly chat and a good ‘bite’.
Membership:
How can I become a member?
Feel free to attend one of our book club sessions regardless of whether you have or haven't read books to be discussed (you can find the details of the upcoming session in the events section). Observe or participate in our discussions, meet other members and help yourself to food and drinks. If the session is to your liking, just present your student ID during our next meeting and pay a £3 fee: this makes you an official member of AUSA Book Club. Read away!
Do I need to be Aberdeen University student to become a member?
You can become a member as long as you are in part-time or full-time education - regardless whether it is Aberdeen University, Robert Gordon University or Aberdeen College that you study at.
Is there a membership fee?
Yes, there is a £3 annual fee.
