Aha thanks Callie - we'll get straight yet matching names with just the right person. So glad you cleared that up for us. If you know any of the other names that we still have not attached to any memory of who they are and where they are please share.
Ok Pat - the future - what comes to mind - when I read a book for relaxing enjoyment I do not need to discuss it - yes, it is nice to have a place like our library where we can share we have read such and such and we enjoyed it and it was thrilling or romantic or lived up to its hype or whatever - essentially a one liner or the most a paragraph describing the book and our experience reading the book.
But then differently than how Callie likes to read I do prefer to read a book where I am going to be confronted with new ideas and characters, who live differently and read about historical times when life was lived with a different set of mores that I can learn about or, a story based in current times but in a different part of the world where culture, traditions, and morals are different - or a book that digs into a set of morals that I had not experienced and it a chance to look at all sides of the moral dilemma without measuring the right or wrong only learning the basis for the choices the author gives to the characters. And I like reading about history and the history of the land to learn the small changes not included in the big picture, that give more understanding to the big picture - to have that kind of book to read I most enjoy discussing it with a group of like minded inquisitive readers that I have found all these years here on SeniorLearn and earlier on SeniorNet.
I would like us to be so entranced with constructing knowledge about the text, using symbols, language, setting, plot, character, foreshadowing, and the like that we will want to share our experiences with others and urge them to join us knowing that we will embrace their scholarship towards a deeper understanding and appreciation for humanity with all its warts and all its glory.
I know how it sounds da de dah but from my heart that is what I hope for our future.
And so that may be it - we need a book to discuss using the elements of literature to find the meaning and humanity written in a story by an author and another discussion that is sharing opinions and reactions to the story based on our own lives.
Since we have from the beginning always had a literary discussion, for a time was called the Great Books the second group would be an addition and from what I understand is a good description for how those posting in the mystery discussion are enjoying a book and sharing that enjoyment. I am thinking out loud here - so maybe we already offer the other way to discuss a book.
I know I meet new readers in groups but they are really wanting to socialize with a glass of wine or a cup of coffee or over lunch and casually talk about the book without referring to the literary devices used to analyze a book - they are sharing their thought almost as we do in the library when we give a synopsis of a book we have read and how it affected us. Where as, there was someone who I had encouraged back when we were SeniorNet but she soon dropped out because she was put off by those who wanted to give their opinion rather than finding meaning using the elements of fiction - yes, she was an English lit. educator.
Is the mystery group the answer - is it a satisfying experience or, is it too much about the mystery genre that other lighter fiction is not discussed. I do not participate - did share my love of the cozies but at the time those in the group were into more elaborate mysteries with more depth and plot and cozies were not given any attention - since, the mystery discussion may have changed and JoanK as well as, someone who frequents the discussion would be better spokespersons.
And as Steph said today in the Library, that we are a patient group who may not agree and therefore, we do not expect to lock step behind one opinion. I hope we can continue in that mindset.
It will be interesting to read other posts and what is important to them and what will make SeniorLearn a meaningful site.
I also hope we can continue to have Jane or someone like her who is willing to keep all the crazies off the site so we feel protected and safe posting our inner most thoughts.
Yes, it would be nice as JoanK brought up to have more active members - however, being in a business that is dependent on attracting new contacts, year in and year out, I have learned while doing the job for 35 years what it takes and it is a huge undertaking. However, to attract a few members can happen as it does in any club or business or volunteer endeavor when those who participate feel proud of their participation and want to share the experience with their friends and casual acquaintances. Most of us have lots of friends however, we are on this site because so few of them love reading so, sharing our pride in our discussions becomes a bit more limited. But without the huge undertaking to entice strangers to this site that I think is our best hope - to share our enthusiasm with others we know and meet who love reading and discussing what they read.
Another, I think we could probably attract some new followers if we had a facebook page - however facebook lends itself to quick one liner blurbs which is not what we are all about - it is great for folks who text each other often but, facebook is not a place for discussion - now it could be a site that does little current conversation but does archive the recent book discussions, make announcements and maybe one or two other discussions that do not include folks sharing their inner most thoughts. Because I think that is what we want protected - we have this safe place to share and we do not want the whole world to easily listen to our thoughts and feelings - if they find us that is one thing but to put it out front and center as a facebook account is quite another.
Well what I do know is in September we will be discussing a very contemporary issue - our environment - and how we affect lakes. No deep literary analysis but lots to learn, share, contemplate and look at our own nearby lakes and how we enjoy them and the condition they are in that, may be better or not from our memory of the condition of 'our' lake 20 or more years ago.
