Want to help me out?
Looking for people who want to talk beautiful words with a shot of sociology
Friends! I’m going to be putting the word out on social media in the coming days, but I wanted to offer this to you all first - I’d like to run an online bookclub chat and need some guinea pigs who are interested in talking about beautiful words with a shot of sociology! If that sounds interesting, keep reading. If not, no worries, I’ll see you in your inbox next month — Steph :)
What is it?
A zoom-based book discussion group.
How often? That’s what I’m figuring out! :D I think maybe once every 2 months?
What will we do? I’ll put an email out to participants with the book/poetry/articles we’ll be discussing, and then about 4 weeks later we’ll meet up online to talk about it. I’ll provide some theme prompts and guide the discussion, and perhaps at times we can invite special guests. At this point I imagine doing it every other month.
What will we be reading? My idea is to read something with beautiful words - like some poetry, or contemporary fiction, or even classic literature, and then also read an article that relates to something in society that speaks to themes in the work. This is not at. all. like a sociology class or anything! Yes, I did teach sociology to college students, but this is not going to be that! It is first and foremost a book club for normal people who are interested in the intersection of beauty & justice. Don’t worry :)
What does this cost? Right now this is free! But I’d love to have feedback from you all who participate about what is working and what is not, and then refine how we do things. Then at a later stage perhaps make more groups but have a small participation fee?
What is the first chat about?
Beautiful words: The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson
Sociology shot: This article on Compassion Fatigue in the age of the internet
When are we going to meet? Somewhere in the week of the 11th -15th of October. Depending on time-zones and interest, we will either do a morning or an evening discussion (or do 2 groups based on time-zones, we’ll see).
Do I have to read this whole series before meeting?! Well, the series is pitched at 9-15 year olds, so it will read quickly! I’m guessing several people have already read them. If you don’t think you’ll have time to read them all, read a summary of book 2, and then read 3 & 4. The first book takes a while to get into. Don’t give up! The remaining books are MUCH better, but you have to plough through the first one to set the premise.
I’m in, how do I sign up? Reply to this email, and I’ll put you on the private email list. We’ll work out an exact time for meeting once participants are confirmed. I’m capping the group at 8 participants (I might do 2 groups if time zones are a problem!) so sign up soon! :)