Earlier this year I was asked to join a local book club through Goodreads. Monica and I were interested in meeting new people in the area so I figured I’d give it a whirl. We made plans to meet up at a local coffee shop as an introductory meeting and discuss books. There was some moderate discussion online, but nothing substantial. The time came to meet and I showed up…but no one else did. I was stood up for a friggin’ book club.

Now months later it seems that this idea is being revived. I got a message or two on Goodreads and I read them, but I did nothing to respond. I was still a little miffed over the last non-encounter and I don’t really have a good track record with new people. So this meeting actually happened apparently. People showed up. I did not. A book I’ve never heard of has been chosen for the first thing to read. Now what do I do?

Do I answer this message? Respond to the invite with a “No thanks. I read on my own.” Do I show up without having read the book and just see what people think? I don’t know. I originally liked the idea of the book club when we were talking about books I already owned or had already read, but now that I’d have to go out and actually buy a new book even if it’s only $10 and read it before a due date…I don’t know. I think it feels like homework. That’s one of the reasons that I don’t rent movies or games and don’t take out books from the library. I hate having time limits on my media. I like to take it in on my own time and enjoy it at my own pace.

I just received the invite for this thing, but I’m not sure if I’ll respond or not just yet.

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