Are you ready? Tell your friends

[Cali48]

I received the notice today, this morning actually, and I was already too late to join this session. Maybe next time but this does illustrate one of the most irritating things online. I'm sure many have had that experience. YOu are offered something and you reply immediately and are told that they already have their quota or its already filled. So you never get a chance really and that is liable to make many simply not bother.

It does sound like a great idea though and I will certainly try with the next selection.

Cali

[Firefall]

I am an avid reader, and looking forward to receiving this book. Thanks for this opportunity!

[Peshie]

Hi! By way of introduction: I have participated in an in-person Book Club for several years. and this is my first experience with an online book discussion group. I generally read books in the political arena (I've just completed Carl Bernstein's biography of Hilary, and a wonderful book about Afghanistan by Sarah Chayes.) I also look for novels by women - that present the world to the reader by telling the story of a women/women (e.g. Toni Morrison, Amy Tan, Anna Quindlen....) I'm looking forward to reading a new author and having this exciting opportunity to discuss the book pre-publication. PAM

[cobymom]

I've never participated in a book discussion group before, and I'm so excited about this! I'm looking forward to great exchanges about an interesting book. I hope I got in....

[Nadine]

---

cobymom wrote:
I've never participated in a book discussion group before, and I'm so excited about this! I'm looking forward to great exchanges about an interesting book. I hope I got in....

---

Considering you posted at 4 pm, probably not. I suspect that many of you just signed up for B&N book clubs but didn't make it to the exclusive club of this group. As I understand it, this club will be closed to all except those with advanced copies of the book. So if you want to participate in a book club I suggest you look through the book club listing for one to to join.

http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/bn?category.id=Browse

[adoring_fan]

Hi, Karen et al. I'm Krystn and really, really, really hoping I got my reply in on time (really ). I discover B&N's book clubs when Kim Harrison was a featured offer. Then I stuck around to discuss Vicki Pettersson's new book, Taste of Night. We all had so much fun, B&N created a Paranormal book club. If your new to book clubs and like paranormal, pay us a visit while you wait for The Monsters of Templeton.

Really looking forward to Lauren's book. Now I'm off to brag to the Paranormals that I maybe, might, really, really, hope I am getting ARC. TTFN.

[nsp]

Hi all!

I am new to the book club. I am an avid reader and especially like fantasy/sci-fi. Look forward to being a member of the First Look Club.

[KathyS]

Karen,
It's very nice to meet you. Welcome to this board!

My name is Kathy S., and I'm from Southern Calif. I live in a relatively rural area about 2 hrs. south-east of LA.
I've been around the B and N boards for a few years, and it's exciting to see all of the returnees from the old BNU....and seeing, also, so many brand-new participants coming aboard.

It should be a fun experience for all of us, having a first read of Lauren's first novel. I can't wait to get my hands on it, and get started!
See you all soon.
Kathy S.

---

KxBurns wrote:
Hi everyone and welcome to the First Look Book Club!

I'm Karen and I will be your moderator for this discussion of Lauren Groff's The Monsters of Templeton. As a lifelong bookworm, I find there's nothing more thrilling than discovering a great new voice -- whether it's a classic author who is simply new to me, or a debut author, as in this case -- so I am looking forward to some great virtual conversations as we delve into this novel together.

Once we get going, I'll be posting some topics for discussion but feel free to chime in with your own questions and thoughts about the book along the way. In the meantime, please reply to this post and let other readers know you're on board.

I look forward to hearing from you all!

Message Edited by Kevin on 09-07-2007 06:26 AM

---

[bookluver1965]

Hello everyone,

I am Laurie from Canada and I can't wait to get started! I have rec'd books from other "first look" programs but never one where there is facilitated discussion. This is a great idea! I am really glad that the author is participating, and can't wait to hear more from her.

Cheers and happy reading!
Laurie

[gluepot]

Hey, for once I'm not a day late and a dollar short. The JFC and Cooperstown connection (and the free book) were real hooks. Reading a new book by a new author will be a new experience for me. I expect it will be interesting, too.

gluepot plumber

[KxBurns]

Wow, what a response this First Look book club is getting! Welcome, everyone! I see many of you are new to our book clubs and I think you are in for a real treat. You'll have the hang of it in no time - in fact, it appears that you have the hang of it already!

To flyjo, who was asking when the books would arrive, the mailing goes out the week of Sept. 17, so it won't be long before we can all dig into the book. I'm so pleased that everyone is as excited as I am!

Message Edited by KxBurns on 09-11-2007 11:43 AM

[KxBurns]

---

sunsaltnsand wrote:
Another newbie here! I'm excited about the chance to be a part of this reading group. I was just mentioning the other day that I'd love to be in a book club, except for the time factor. This is pretty much the best of both worlds -- thanks, B&N!

---

Hi sunsaltnsand,
I know what you mean - the time committment for traditional book clubs can be intimidating. That's one of the things that is so wonderful about our online book clubs; you really can fit your participation around your schedule.
But I suspect that with this terrific book and author, you'll be checking in here quite often!
Glad to have you ~
Karen

[KxBurns]

---

cegnatuk wrote:
I've never heard of anything like this! I just received an e-mail about it, and thought this sounds neat! I hope I'm admitted...What exactly are we expected to do?

---

Hi there cegnatuk,

If you sent in your email requesting an ARC, you should hear back soon whether or not you'll be receiving a copy. The response was just tremendous, so those of you who don't get one this time around should check back in the future for information about our next First Look Book Club.

If you are receiving a copy of the book, you can look for it to arrive soon after the week of September 17th. Discussion will begin on these boards on October 1st. All you need to do to participate is read the book and check in to see what we're discussing and share with the rest of the group your thoughts as you read.

In the meantime, we'll be here getting to know each other!

Message Edited by KxBurns on 09-11-2007 11:44 AM

[KxBurns]

---

Jo6353 wrote:
Hi Karen,

This sounds very exciting and the book looks interesting. How do we sign up for the free book? Jo

---

Hi Jo,

I hope you got your email request in last week -- unfortunately our enrollment period is now closed, due to the extraordinary response we received. But please see the Fantastic Response thread to find out how to be notified about future First Look opportunities. And thanks so much for your interest! If you're not going to be joining us for our discussion of The Monsters of Templeton, we hope to hear from you in another of our many book clubs!

Karen

[KxBurns]

---

sewdrapes wrote:
I have taken advantage of BNU in the past and miss the chance for further education, but this program will help greatly. Thanks B & N!

---

I see many former BNU participants here. Sewdrapes, Meghan, Carriele, beyoutfullu and all the others - thanks for giving First Look a try! We're delighted to have you and I believe you'll find the First Look experience just as rewarding as BNU!

[KxBurns]

---

senowyn wrote:
This looks so exciting! I was a part of a book club earlier this year and am excited, once again, to be a part of the action! New authors always excite me, and give me a general idea of how to further my own writing! Hopefully one day I'll be the author featured on one of these First Look clubs!

Ashley

---

Welcome, Ashley. It's great to have a budding author here and I bet you'll have an interesting perspective for us as we read. Any other writers among us?

[KxBurns]

---

Aunt_Beth_64 wrote:
I've really missed the old BNU---maybe this will fill the void. I'm looking forward to great discussions.

I probably missed it in the announcement--does anyone know when the actual discussion is scheduled to begin?

---

Hi Aunt_Beth,

Our discussion of the book will officially begin on October 1st, but check back here in the meantime as we continue our introductions and informal chat. It looks like you're part of a whole BNU alumni contingent on the board!

[jastoy]

I too, miss the old BNU, have been around through several of its rotations/changes, seems that each one improves on the last...this will be my first try here...and I can not wait...!...received confirmation the same day I enrolled that I "was in" the group & that the book is not far behind...Great! I can not wait to see how this will take off the ground - as they say - "the skys the limit"! Thank you. JAS

[KxBurns]

Wonderful, Jo Ann - glad you'll be joining us!

[adoring_fan]

Hi, my name is Krystn and I'm a bookaholic. Ha!. Just got my email saying I made the cut-off. I'm doing my happy dance; and eagerly looking forward to getting my copy. Talk to you soon. K