The idea for a traveling book club started brewing after I had posted on Facebook about a copy of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up I was done reading. I said I’d mail to anyone who wanted it. When several people responded, and promises of the first person mailing to the next to read and on and on, an idea was born. I love sharing books with you all. I would love even more to get together with you for an in person book club…wouldn’t that be a blast?
Well as much fun as it would be, for right now a virtual traveling book club will have to suffice. We may not be able to get together in person, but we can connect with books through the magic of online communication. The idea is evolving, but for now here’s the scoop on how it will work:
- Each month I will select a book for our Traveling Book Club discussion and will announce what the book selection is on Dine & Dish
- From the post, you will let me know with a comment if you are interested in participating in that months book club
- I will then randomly select 4 people from the comments to participate and will send a copy of the book to them (either in physical form or e-book…participants preference). If you are chosen and have already read the book, you can still participate. I’ll just send you an Amazon gift card in the amount of the book instead.
- The participants commit to reading the book quickly – ideally within a week of receiving it and then answering and returning the book discussion questions I send to them. I will put all the discussion answers out to the group and from there any conversations surrounding the responses will ensue.
- Once our discussion is complete, I will then post our virtual book club review of the selected book here on Dine & Dish for everyone to read, as well as collective groups responses to the book discussion questions. See? It’s like a book club without really meeting as a book club… and we’ll get to share our love of whatever book we read that month with everyone! Each month will be a different book and a different group of book club attendees, but even those not “officially” selected that month can read along.
Thanks to those of you who shop using my book reviews affiliate links in my Connect Through Reading posts, I am able to reinvest that money back to Dine & Dish to buy more books for us! Thank you for supporting Dine & Dish that way!
Now, for the very first Dine & Dish Traveling Book Club Selection, I am so excited to share this AMAZING memoir with you…
It Was Me All Along by Andie Mitchell
Oh friends… I never, ever, ever read books twice. Ever. But this book? I devoured it in one sitting and then re-read it a second time after finishing it just a few days before. In It Was Me All Along, Andie shares courageously her story of going from nearly 300 pounds to half her size. For anyone who has ever struggled with their body, their relationship with food, or who has simply struggled with learning to love and accept themselves, this memoir will touch you deeply. This book showed up on my doorstep mere days after I shared the truth of my self image in this post with you all. It was so timely, and because I could relate to it so much, I couldn’t think of a better book to kick off the Dine & Dish Virtual Book Club with.
If you are interested in participating in the first book club and agree to the commitments outlined above, please leave a comment below this post just telling me what your favorite book is and why. All comments must be received by midnight, CST on February 6th. Because of shipping time, anyone requesting a physical copy of the book must have a US Address. Otherwise, an e-book will be sent to those outside of the country. 4 book club participants will be randomly chosen and notified via valid email address. If you are anxious to get started on the book, you can buy it through this link! Thank you!
PS – Andie is a blogger over at Can You Stay for Dinner. Make sure to go read pieces of her weight loss journey over there as well. Also, big congratulations to Andie as her book has been on the NY Times Best Seller list for multiple weeks now! So awesome!
I can’t wait to get this fun book club started! Hope to read with you soon!
Want more book recommendations? Be sure to check out my other book review posts by clicking here.
Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I’d love to participate! Love this idea.
What a fantastic idea, Kristen! I’m in- this book sounds like a good one for a girl who should love herself a little more! xo
I’d love to join – but I’ve already read Andie’s book, so sign me up for the next one! Oh dear, my favorite book? I really don’t want to choose. I just don’t know. I’m obsessed with historical fiction lately and read War Brides and loved it.
Even if you’ve read it, you can still participate. I’ll just send you an Amazon gift card for the price of the book instead if you are chosen!
Love this idea and love reading, and I’ve heard so many amazing things about this book!
Like Marnely, I’ve already read Andie’s book (#allthefeels), but would love to participate the next go ’round! Oh, and my favorite book of all time is To Kill A Mockingbird!
Even if you’ve read it, you can still participate. I’ll just send you an Amazon gift card for the price of the book instead if you are chosen!
You know I’ve already read Andie’s book but I wanted to come over and tell you how awesome I think this idea is! I must admit reading has not been front and center in my life in recent years but Andie’s book made me remember how much I love reading! It’s a goal to read more in 2015!
I would love to participate! Reading cookbooks are my favorite, otherwise I love any book by Sophie Kinsella.
I Love this idea!! I don’t have time to participate for this book, but hope to be able to in the future. 🙂
YES!! I love this idea…you’re so smart, Kristen! I would love to participate!
oooo! lMe Me Me!!! Love this, Kristen <3
I loved this book. I have followed Andie for years through her website, and her story is so inspirational. I struggled with my weight too (ironic for someone who studied Nutrition and Dietetics at uni) and her self-love talk really made a difference in my own journey. I loved this book so much, and I definitely need to read it a second time.
Love your idea for a travelling bookclub too! Although, it does mean I’m going to have to drink my glass of wine alone while reading the book reviews…
I love this idea! And I’m a fast reader 🙂
My favorite book…that’s so hard…but at this point I think “The Secret Keeper” by Kate Morton is top of the list. It kept me captivated, and the way the story is woven kept me beautifully entranced. I can’t wait to read it again!
Count me in!
I love to read!
I just finished reading it this afternoon! I absolutely adored Andi’s story. I highlighted it up like a Christmas tree! Lol
Memoirs are my favorite genre. Like Andie, most young girls are insecure about some aspect of themselves, strive to change and then you say to yourself, I was always this person. This is a book I’m sure all women can identify with. I would love to take part in the book discussion.
Ummmm….this is the BEST idea ever. This book is on my list to read. Looking forward to following along with your club! As for a favorite book…I don’t think I can list just one. Wild, Eat Pray Love, and anything by Anne Lamott and Dani Shapiro make my heart go pitter patter. xo
I look forward to reading this book. One of the books I really enjoyed reading was The Pat Conroy Cookbook: Recipes and Stories of My Life.
This sounds great! And the book you chose is one I’ve been wanting to read. I’ve got it Pinned on my Pinterest Book list board already. One of my favorite books in recent years is , The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. If you haven’t read it already you must. It’s fascinating!
If you want to check out my wish list of books on Pinterest here’s a link https://www.pinterest.com/bonniecubfan10/booklist/
Thanks for the chance to win the book.
What a fabulous idea!!! Andie’s book is on my to-read list and I was thinking of ordering it for an upcoming trip we’re taking in a few weeks. I’m so excited for this series as you’re one of resources I turn to when I’m looking for a new book!!
I am interested! This book sounds amazing! Whether or not I’m selected this month I’m going to purchase the book through you’re link, I can’t wait to read it! My favorite book at the moment is Gone Girl. It kept me interested throughout the entire story, I hated putting the book down!
I think this is a fantastic idea! I’ve been wanting to get back to reading more (even have a nook) and this seems like the perfect opportunity to begin. Thanks!
This book sounds amazing! I’ve missed book club so would love to be included in this one.
I would love to be part of this month’s book club selection. It Was Me All Along is high on my to read list.
Oh – this sounds so fun!!! I’d love to join!! I have wanted to read this book. But favorite book? Such a hard question. First book that comes to mind is Running for My Life: the story of one of the Lost Boys of sudan. Amazing amazing story. So many favorites, though!!!
I’ve been looking forward to this book! Would love to take part!
I love this idea and would love to participate this month! My favorite book changes constantly, but right now it would be Wild by Cheryl Strayed. I found this book to be so empowering and openly honest. The accomplishments Cheryl has made are incredible and inspiring. The writing was so intriguing and I could not put this book down!
I am SO interested you have no idea! As soon as I heard she was writing a book, I knew I had to read it. I’m sure it’s fantastic!
My favorite book is Jane Eyre. I first read it in Jr. High and just fell in love with it. I don’t really know what it is about it. It’s the only book I’ve read multiple times.
I really like this idea of a traveling book club! My fave book? Think it’s going to be the first book we will be reading. I’ve struggled with my weight and from your recommendation, might become my new favorite. Songlines from Bruce Chatwin is one the books I re-read yearly..beautiful verse, haunting, mix of reality and fiction.
What a wonderful idea! I would love to participate!
Sorry! Forgot to list my favorite book: A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving. LOVE the strong chatacterization and the symbolism.
I think this is a wonderful idea. I actually just finished the book you mentioned and would love to share my views of it. Picking my favorite book is difficult, I’m better at picking favorite authors – like Malcom Gladwell, Daniel Pink, Lisa Sea, Anita Diamante, etc.. Due to my long commute, last spring I found books on CD. Currently listening to Wild by Cheryl Strayed, it’s interesting and surely makes my commute and the traffic less stressful.
What a fantastic idea! Especially when schedules are so crazy it is almost impossible to get the majority of people together on any given night. A great way to get me reading again!
Thank you!!
You already know how much I loved this book. I’m all in for the book club. What a fun idea! My favorites change regularly, depending on my mood. I’m currently re-reading Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider and reminding myself that if an item does not serve a purpose or bring me joy, I do not need it. (It helps to be motivated by all the moving boxes as well!)
What a great idea, Love this! Count me in 🙂
What a great idea! I would love to find more time to read a good book!!
I LOVE this! I work from home and don’t live near many of my friends so it is difficult to do an in person book club for me. I also made making reading time a priority as a goal for this year so it really is perfect!
What a lovely concept. 🙂 Just like travelling of sisterhood for books! My recent favorite has been – Eleanor and Park. It is a perfect story of two misfits and the narrative is what hooked me on to the very last word.
Siri
Love this idea! And this first book sounds like a very good read! Can’t wait to start! My favorite book would be The Notebook, Icebound, My Sergei, choosing to see & down came the rain. I never thought I was much of a reader but I guess I am.
Love this idea so much! My neighborhood has a book club that meets once a month on the same day that my sons club meets in another town, so I’ve never got to go even though my love of reading huge.
Can u count me in? It looks like I wouldn’t be able to join in revewing officially sadly,I am in the UK but can’t do e-books 🙁 bother I was so looking forward to it too.but perhaps I could still be part?
My fave book I couldn’t choose!! I love every book I love and each time seem to find an added fav,oftrnin many genres.all books are fab wen they take me to the authors world. 😀 Karin slaughter,Jodi picoult,Carole Matthews,freya north, mark billingham,binchey,Keyes,Sophie Hannah,pilcher to choose would be impossible…
great idea! My all time favorite book has already been listed- Jane Eyre. I’ve read it many times and could read it again. My current favorite would be All the Light We Cannot See: A Novel by Anthony Doerr. The imagery is beautiful and the story is woven like a tapestry!
I love the book club idea! I’m always looking for a good book. Too many favorites to pick one. I’m a sucker for anything with a happy ending.
Love this idea! I’m not that fast if a reader but if I get chosen, I’d do my best! My current favorite is me before you… Jojo moyes! Love!!
Great Idea and I would LOVE to participate! Favorite book, “Girl With A Pearl Earring,” by Tracy Chevalier. I have enjoyed many recent reads, including, “Boston Girl,’ by Anita Diamant. Pick me, pick me!
I would love to participate in your traveling book club.i have read many book that I have loved such as: The Noticer, The Rag Picker, Tuesdays with Morrie, The Orphan Train, and so many more. Please pick me to be part of your book club. Thx, deb
I don’t think I could pick just one favorite book. I will say one that speaks to my soul and gets in my head is my favorite!
What an excellent idea! My favorite book is “a thousand splendid suns.” The writing is beautiful and the story inspiring.
How fun! I have always wanted to be part of a book club!
Love the idea! Read so, so, so many books! Not sure I can pick a favorite, but just finished reading Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern.
Great idea! I’ve read so many great books. I’m not sure I have a favorite book but one of my favorite authors is Nicholas Sparks. I’m a sucker for a romantic story I guess. I just finished the 2nd book in the Outlander series.
So, so many favorites-anything by Maeve Binchy bit I guess I would pick TO Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
i love this idea! It’s different and innovative and fun! I can’t tell you what my favorite book is-how can I pick just one? I love the classics, I love autobiographies, I love schmaltz! 🙂
I cannot possibly name just one book that’s my favorite! Gone With the Wind is probably up there, and we just got to experience an exhibit here on the UT campus for the making of the movie. I devour books of all kinds and love discussing literature with others who have the same passion.
pick me!
I can’t pick just one book as my favorite. I enjoy each book and relish every word. Sometimes I’m so into the book……it takes me a while before I can live inside another story.
I love this idea and that book is in my to read” list! I’m glad Aggie posted this on our Reading page to connect us to your blog! I just can’t pick a favorite. I’ve read 6 books in January and enjoyed them all for different reasons.
Body image issues and weight struggles? Check, check. Favorite book of late – Boys in the Boat – such an inspiring story of teamwork and hard work and perseverance.
I have been contemplating starting something similar on my blog but I don’t have the resources to purchase copies for people who participate. I’d love to try it out here!
Can’t wait to get started
Im in! Have this book on my to read list.
I’m in. I already have the book. This is such a great idea!!!
A really wonderful idea Kristen
This sounds like fun! My favorite book is “Correlli’s Mandolin” . It is beautifully written but still funny, and I hated that it had to end. I had every emotion possible while reading, and it still has the same effect each time I reread it.
What a great idea, I would love to be a part of this.
One of my all time favorite books is To Kill A Mockingbird. And now I just read that Harper Lee is going to publish a second novel this summer. I can’t wait to read it.
Oh my gosh I love this, and you, too much. THANK YOU, Kristen. I’m so grateful to have my book chosen, and to hear that it resonated so much with you.
I want to be a part of this book club! My favorite book…ahh so hard. I really loved She’s Come Undone by Wally Lamb,
I am very interested in participating! Love this concept!!
What a fun idea — and so glad to hear of this book. I saw it recently and wondered. Also — I love her website. So many “Ah-ha!” moments as I’m reading.
i just bought this book because of your recommendation and my personal journey. Count me in! Such a great idea. i always learn something new from you, Kirsten and your readers!
My favorite books may be silly but I love kids books and always give books to my daughter, niece, nephews and gransons for just about any reason. Love Laura Numeroff’s series of books including “if you Give A Pig A Pancake”
Nothing better than a good book!
I just had this in my hand the other day but did not purchase it. I’m definitely interested in reading it and hearing what others have to say about it.
So many favorite books, but the ones I read annually are Pride and Prejudice and Anne of Green Gables. So good!
I have this book but have not had a chance to read it yet. And what a great idea for a book club!
I love this idea and would love to be a part of this traveling book club. My favorite book is Gone With The Wind. Such a classic
This is a great idea. Would love to be a part of it! One of my favorite books is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.
Alice in Wonderland is my favorite book, such a crazy imagination!!
Favorite book is The History of Love by Nichole Krauss – can’t even explain what it’s about. The language swept me away, I got goosebumps, I was transported – magnificent!
I’d love to join this book club.
Great Idea!!! I’m in for the book club. My favorite book is the Note Book. I feel that way about my love. It is timeless after 20+ years I would give anything to be with him. He feels the same way. The romance has not died and I know that in another 20+ years we will be the same way.
I love the book The Power of One by Bryce Courtney. It’s a beautiful coming of age story that changed me. I believe a great book can become a part of your soul, and this one certainly did.
I am a book lover for sure. Would love to be picked but if not will still read this book. I think based on previous comments this is going to be a hit.
Forgot to mention.my favorite book. The help was awesome but just finished While we were watching downtown abbey by Wendy wax great fast read.
I love To Kill A Mockingbird. I’m so excited for Harper Lee’s new book!
Such a fun idea – I’d love to be a part of it! I love so many books, I have no idea what my favorite is. So, I’ll tell you what I’m reading now (and really enjoying) – 7 by Jen Hatmaker.
I love this idea. I am a high school English teacher, so many of my favorite books are young adult titles. Recently, I loved Counting by 7’s. I also was captivated and terrified by Station Eleven. My favorite book though is the Book Thief.. My reading goal this year is to read more nonfiction, and this pick looks great.
I love this idea!! I can’t wait to read the discussion on It Was Me All Along, I loved Andie’s book!
I’m not sure what my favorite book is… There are too many good ones to pick just one!
This book club idea is such a fun idea. I would love to be a part of it!
Love this idea! There are so many books that have touched me in different ways, but the last one I read that made me laugh out loud. Food: A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan.
White Oleander by Janet Fitch
The language in this book made it real for me. I could feel, hear and smell what the author described. Telling a story is easy. Telling a story that envelops the reader into the situation being described in real time is a lost art.
Love, Love book clubs. Like to hear the different options that people have of the same books
Just started a serious weight loss adventure, I would enjoy reading this. My favorite book is A Tree Grows inBrooklyn. I love the history and the story of Francine.
How fun! I love your book reviews and have read many of them. I love memoirs and would love to read this! If I don’t get it from you, I’ll be seeing if it is at the library! thanks!
I love to read and have picked some of my reading selections based on your past blog post book reviews. This one sounds like a good one to add to my growing list of need to read. Plus, I would love to participate in the traveling book club.
My favorite book is The Book Thief. I read a lot of WWII books and this is so well written and really touched my heart. This book has stayed with me for years and recently my 13 year old read it and loved it also.
i want to participate please! Sounds fun. I have lots of favorite books but can’t think of any titles right now. I think that means I need to read something new so this will be great!
I would love to participate! The book sounds amazing and I love the idea of the traveling book club – so fun and unique!
So hard to pick one favorite…books always seem to fill a need for wherever I am in life…a little non-fiction when I have been surrounded by too much crazy kid fiction or some wonderful fiction when there is just too much reality to deal with! One of my all time favorites though is Sense & Sensibility…but that’s just one 😉
I want to participate please. I so enjoy a book club and since I’ve moved to a new state I have been looking for a new one. My favorite book that I be read recently is Daring Greatly be Brene Brown.
This is a genius idea. I love the thought of traveling books.
Recommendation: Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan. I just finished it the other day. It took me all of 24 hours to read it, because I couldn’t put it down. I may be partial since it takes place mostly in Boston and Maine (I lived in Boston for 6 years and grew up in Maine), but seriously, it is so good!
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I would really really like to join please?!