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Hi all! I hope you are doing well. I just finished my first three days of online classes and it's certainly been a transition.
To help me adjust to my new schedule at home and the practice of social distancing, I set a goal to talk to someone outside of my family every day via FaceTime, Zoom, or a phone call. I've been tracking my progress on a Twitter thread using the hashtag #socialwhiledistancing. Over the past two weeks, pushing myself to reach out while staying in has allowed me to reconnect with old friends from as far back as middle school, check in on my hallmates at college, and even make some new friends in the book blogging community. I've been amazed by how something as seemingly simple as a conversation has become one of the highlights of my day and allowed me to share some meaningful connections.
And that's why I'm so excited to team up with Tessi (@bookrapt and Cosmic Book Love) to introduce you to the Soshelf Distancing Book Club: a forum to discuss books, blogging & more-- all from the comfort of your own home!
Here's what you need to know:
What is it? The Soshelf Distancing Book Club will be an informal, online community of readers that meet through Zoom. Our club will select a book to read and discuss together through video chat.
Who can join? The book club is open to anyone with an interest in reading and discussing books! You can even participate your pajamas. :)
When will the meetings be? The specific dates and times of club meetings will be determined by popular demand. In the Google form below, you can describe what times you are available, and we will release a schedule gauging what works best for interested participants. We encourage readers in across all time zones to feel welcome to sign-up-- we will find a time that works for all of us!
What books are you reading? Each book will be picked by a vote of the readers. To kick off the club, Tessi and I have selected five options for the first read (vote for your favorite in the Google form below)!
The options are: The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski, The Vanishing Deep by Astrid Scholte, Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez, Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed, and Most Likely by Sarah Watson.
The interest form will be open until Saturday, March 28. Once the form closes, Tessi and I will announce the winner title and the date of the first meeting. We can't wait to meet you!
Tell me: how are you practicing social distancing? What are you currently reading?
This is such an awesome idea! I was actually feeling pretty down last night. Mainly, I was just upset that I’m not getting any connections from anyone other than my immediate family who I am social distancing with. Being sociable with people outside of my family is the main way I am able to distract myself from anxiety, and it has been notably absent lately. I am so happy that there is something I can join now that brings that element back. I submitted the form :) can’t wait!
ReplyDeleteWe are so happy to have you in the club! :))
DeleteThis is fantastic! I just got sent home from my study abroad trip in Scotland and am now stuck in self-quarantine doing online classes and playing Animal Crossing. Unfortunately, I haven't been very social, unless hanging out with my cat counts. This is such a strange time in the world. I think everyone is going through a hard time right now.
ReplyDeleteThank you!! I'm sorry that your study abroad trip was cut short, but I'm glad that you are home safe. I've been hearing a lot about Animal Crossing! I haven't had the chance to check it out yet, though.
DeleteI love this idea :) I've been at home for almost 3 weeks without leaving. Only my parents and older brother and relatives in my household are the only ones who leave the house. It gets pretty lonely being here, but I love how this bridges connections among readers. Will consider if I can join :) I'm a bit hesitant because I'm not sure if I have access to these books :((
ReplyDeleteJillian @ Jillian's Books
We are so happy to have you on board!! :))
DeleteI love this idea. COunt me in! I am sure this is great way to keep up our reading schedule and making new friends.
ReplyDeleteGayathri @ Elgee Writes
Yayy!! We are so happy to have you :)
DeleteThis is such a great idea, Claire! I haven't been social since the social distancing started (except for attending class in zoom university), so I think I should try on this one. Also, chatting with people about books seems exciting :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tiffany! We would love to have you! :)
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