Victoria B.C. (Book Club) discussion

Seeing as Victoria and the surrounding area is such a literary place and full of great book stores I thought it would be fun to create a local group. Members can share info on what they are reading, what they would like to read, the best places to find books or the best places to sit and have a coffee while you read.

Hi John, I really couldn't have you sitting all alone here in Victoria so I am signing up for your group. I agree with you that we are so lucky to have so many bookstores here...it is getting to be that so many independent booksellers are being put out of business by the book giants and things like Kindle and I try to support them when I can. I also love all the second hand bookstores we are fortunate to have.

Hi Dot. I wondered how long it would take for someone to find the group. So thanks for joining. I sure hope that we find a home for this years Book Drive. I have volunteered there for the last five years and is where I get to see my "annual friends'. Of course I pick up way too many books each time but it is the highlight of my year. Now it is a sit and wait thing. Do you go to the Book Drive?

John wrote: "Hi Dot. I wondered how long it would take for someone to find the group. So thanks for joining. I sure hope that we find a home for this years Book Drive. I have volunteered there for the last five..."

I've always wanted to volunteer but in fact I have had a whole string of serious illness in the last few years so I've never really been well enough to throw boxes of books around. I have a friend who does though, and I keep telling her to take me along 'next year' and then something else goes wrong! Oh well, at least I have enough time to read. Like you, I hope that they find a place for the TC Book Drive...it is too good an event for us to do without.

John wrote: "Hi Dot. I wondered how long it would take for someone to find the group. So thanks for joining. I sure hope that we find a home for this years Book Drive. I have volunteered there for the last five..."

PS. I'm very glad to find someone with whom to discuss serious/literary type books. I don't read chicklit or romance so I'm not sure I fit on some of the other groups. I've also joined the Canadian group as it is concerned with Canadian authors. I do like mysteries though.

Dot wrote: "John wrote: "Hi Dot. I wondered how long it would take for someone to find the group. So thanks for joining. I sure hope that we find a home for this years Book Drive. I have volunteered there for ..."

There are a number of jobs that don't involve lifting boxes of books, such as sorting books, but anything involving books seems to involve weight.

Dot wrote: "John wrote: "Hi Dot. I wondered how long it would take for someone to find the group. So thanks for joining. I sure hope that we find a home for this years Book Drive. I have volunteered there for ..."

It was a thrill to discover Goodreads but I find it expensive because you hear about so many great books. I also belong to a Canadian group. My wife is the big mystery reader in our family.

Well, I found the group you mentioned Dot..and John. However, as I mentioned, I dont like to do the "online thing" so might not post much here. I'm too busy doing my real life stuff and writing.

Jessie
Click to hear JE$$IE's recordings

Hi Jessie. I know what you mean about not liking the online thing, but I have found Goodreads to be one of the better ones. Over the 10 months or so i have been on here I have been introduced to a ton of wonderful books. Hopefully Goodreads will be a good experience for you.

John wrote: "Hi Jessie. I know what you mean about not liking the online thing, but I have found Goodreads to be one of the better ones. Over the 10 months or so i have been on here I have been introduced to a ..."

Hi John, I've been a member of this site for some time now. I am not looking for books, I have shelves full. I was curious about the site, so joined to support some of the authors I know in person here. I really dislike having to come to the site to read a message someone sent me. Seems my life is full of passwords for this, and passwords for that. I prefer real life discussions, not online ones. I just want to keep my life simple huh. I hope you enjoy your time here. Jessie

JE$$IE B wrote: "John wrote: "Hi Jessie. I know what you mean about not liking the online thing, but I have found Goodreads to be one of the better ones. Over the 10 months or so i have been on here I have been int..."

Hi Jessie, I sort of hope you check in with us occasionally so you can comment on the books we are reading. I have lots of time on my hands right now so am finding the group chat thing fun.

Dot wrote: "JE$$IE B wrote: "John wrote: "Hi Jessie. I know what you mean about not liking the online thing, but I have found Goodreads to be one of the better ones. Over the 10 months or so i have been on her..."


Hi Dot, for me its the online thing in general. I cant get used to the idea that people want to chat over a computer these days, instead of talking over coffee or the phone or something. Because I live alone I often go to a coffee shop to write. The atmosphere there is more creative for me, as I can chit-chat with people while I'm working on my WIP. Hope you and John have fun here. Regards, Jessie

Do either of you belong to Bookcrossing? Any interest in a book swap? I gather that this feature is not available for Canadians on Goodreads but we could easily swap between ourselves.

Hi Dot. I am on Bookcrossing. Are there any books you are specifically looking for?

John wrote: "Hi Dot. I am on Bookcrossing. Are there any books you are specifically looking for?"

Haven't really given it a lot of thought...but will do so. How about you?

I don't know where to start. I keep a list in my wallet because I would go to a book store and my mind would go blank. It currently sits at 57 books. Some of the oldest ones are.

This Body - Tessa McWatt
To End All Wars - Ernest Gordon
Infidel - Ayaan Hirsi Ali
David Golder - Irene Nemerovsky
The Shadow Catcher - Marianne Wiggins
Fateful choices - Ian Kershaw
Sun Going Down - Jack Todd
Jarrettville - Cornelia Nixon
Chasing Windmills - Catherine Ryan Hyde
The Anthologist - Nicholas Baker

And the list goes on and on.

John wrote: "I don't know where to start. I keep a list in my wallet because I would go to a book store and my mind would go blank. It currently sits at 57 books. Some of the oldest ones are.

This Body - Tessa..."

I know what you mean. ...where do you start? I thought I had David Golder but it turns out to be "Fire in the Blood". I'd like to read anything by Richard Russo except for "Empire Falls", possibly John Updike, or Philip Roth. I've been avoiding male US writers for some reason but a friend has convinced me I should try again.

I just want to say welcome to all the new members. For a while I felt like a lighthouse keeper (alone not batty). It is nice to see and hear from other Victoria bookies.

Did anyone see the article in the TC today that said in a recession it is easier for people to give up restaurant meals or movies than it is to give up buying books. But then we all knew that anyways.

I am officially going through Book Drive withdrawal. For the past five years my February's have been spoken for. It is where I go to see my annual friends, so I sure hope they are able to find a venue for it. I have a lot of books that need redistributing.

John wrote: "I just want to say welcome to all the new members. For a while I felt like a lighthouse keeper (alone not batty). It is nice to see and hear from other Victoria bookies.

Did anyone see the article..."

I'm thrilled to see we now have 6 members...welcome all and thanks to John for starting us off. We'll have to try to ease the pain of no TC book drive for him.

Hello: Just a note to let you know that I have joined your group. I'm happy to see a local group.

Lorraine wrote: "Hello: Just a note to let you know that I have joined your group. I'm happy to see a local group."

Welcome Lorraine. I'm new as well. It is nice to have a local group.

Cheers

Dot wrote: "John wrote: "I just want to say welcome to all the new members. For a while I felt like a lighthouse keeper (alone not batty). It is nice to see and hear from other Victoria bookies.

Did anyone se..."

No TC book drive???

Roberta wrote: "Dot wrote: "John wrote: "I just want to say welcome to all the new members. For a while I felt like a lighthouse keeper (alone not batty). It is nice to see and hear from other Victoria bookies.

..."

Still no word from the TC other than they are still searching for a venue. I'm sure there will be hundreds of people who will be disappointed if it doesn't happen.

I like the whole experience and the chance to pass books on for a good cause.

You can tell I am missing the Book Drive, yesterday I went out to Munro's and Russell's and bought eight discount and used books.

Book withdrawal is a terrible thing!

Roberta wrote: "Book withdrawal is a terrible thing!"


I read this morning that they found a place for the TC book drive...you must be pleased about that, John!

Dot wrote: "John wrote: "Hi Dot. I wondered how long it would take for someone to find the group. So thanks for joining. I sure hope that we find a home for this years Book Drive. I have volunteered there for ..."

Hi Dot. Did you see in the paper this morning that they have found a home for the Book Drive so it is back on - set for mid May. Yeah.

John wrote: "Dot wrote: "John wrote: "Hi Dot. I wondered how long it would take for someone to find the group. So thanks for joining. I sure hope that we find a home for this years Book Drive. I have volunteere..."

Yes I just posted about it! Not until May but better late than never!

John wrote: "Dot wrote: "John wrote: "Hi Dot. I wondered how long it would take for someone to find the group. So thanks for joining. I sure hope that we find a home for this years Book Drive. I have volunteere..."

Hi John,

Do your volunteer duties for the Book Sale include picking up books from people who can't do it themselves? I wouldn't mind looking out a couple of boxes of books to donate but can't get them to the drop off.

If you have books you would like to donate I would be happy to pick them up!

Thanks John.
let me know when Pick-up begins and I'll get something ready. I live in Oak Bay...hope that is not too far for you.

The start up of the Book Drive is April 26th. I am at the Oak Bay bubble to play tennis twice per week so pick up is no problem. Just let me know when you have some books ready.

John wrote: "The start up of the Book Drive is April 26th. I am at the Oak Bay bubble to play tennis twice per week so pick up is no problem. Just let me know when you have some books ready."

Great...thank you John...I'll make a note in my calendar. I've already had a preliminary snoop round the bookshelves so I should have a reasonable pile to pass on.

I'm sure the Book Drive will appreciate anything you have. I already have a couple of boxes of mine ready to go.

Friends of mine have done a pre book drive gathering at thie place where we all bring ourt books and browse then they drop off the remaining books (boxes of them) to the collection point. Not sure if they plan to do it this year but will keep you posted if you are interested.

It's nice because it is a bit social and you get to share what you liked in certain books, plus I'm sure the drive gets more books because more people get motivated to participate.

That sounds like a fabulous idea. I would love to participate if that decide to do it this year. If Dot has her books ready she may be interested too?

Yes...it does sound like a good idea. It will depend on when it is and if my medical treatment is finished..things are a bit uncertain at the moment..but please keep me informed and I'll try to attend.

I will keep you both posted.

I wanted to say hello as I just joined the group. I figure the more I poke around this site, the more books I'll discover. My 'to-read' list is growing much faster than my 'read' list though. :)

Hi Leah

Welcome to the group. Always glad to see new members. Just a warning! Unless you are a library user, being on this site can be hard on your book budget. There are always lots of good recommendations of books you may have never heard of. This group has had one book swap which was a lot of fun plus a cheap way to get more books. We also give away the occasional book when we are done with it. Also, thank goodness we live in a town with great new and used book stores.

Cheers,
John

Thanks for the welcome John. Ans yes, the bookstores? Wow! It seems there's one on every corner downtown. I haven't even been to the library yet.

I'm sure I have some books here I'd be willing to part with. I'm slowly updating my Goodreads list, and then I'll figure out which ones I'd like to swap.

Leah wrote: "Thanks for the welcome John. Ans yes, the bookstores? Wow! It seems there's one on every corner downtown. I haven't even been to the library yet.

I'm sure I have some books here I'd be willing to ..."

Hi Leah...welcome to the group ...have you just moved to Victoria?

Dot

Welcome Leah. You've found a great place to talk books and I'm looking forward to talking toyou.

Roberta

Thank you both! I arrived back in January, following my Navy boyfriend. So far, I love it. :)

Hi Everyone!
I just joined. I don't live in Victoria but am on the Mainland and I visit Victoria many times a year to visit family. I've even found a cute little coffee/book shop that I love to poke around in when I'm over there...and, of course, Russell's Books! What a great place.
I'm looking forward to getting to know you all.

Welcome Petra. n Coffee book-shop?? I'm intrigued. I lve Cadbero Bay Bookshop and of course Munro's is a must.

Hi Roberta! I don't know Cadbero Bay Bookshop or Munro's. I'll have to look for them.
I checked on Google Earth and the shop I found is the James Bay Coffee & Books store. It's a cute little shop. Haven't had coffee there yet but have browsed the rooms of books. I didn't mention that they are used books and in good condition.

Hi Petra...I know the bookstore you mean in James Bay. I only found it after guests from UK told me about it!
There used to be a neat bookstore/coffee shop on Fisgard called Buddy's after the resident dog....then someone complained about the dog being present in a shop selling food and drink and the owner closed down rather than leave Buddy at home. Too bad...he was a nice dog and most customers liked having him around.

Hi Petra...welcome to he group. You have to check out both Munro's (such a marvelous building) and the Cadboro Bay book store. They are both independent book stores and are both next door to wonderful coffee shops - the perfect combo.