Kia ora BDS friends and whānau. We wanted to start this edition of Footnote by letting you all know about some exciting events we have coming up designed specifically to bring together people interested in starting, joining or growing book groups. If you are:
currently looking for a book group to join and haven't found one yet
wanting to start your own book group, but don't have enough people
part of a group looking for more members
then we want to invite you to one of our May Meet Ups! Two are face-to-face and taking place in Christchurch. We will also be hosting virtual meet ups for those of you in other parts of NZ. Check out the full calendar of meet up events below and RSVP to the one that suits you best.
We can't wait to connect more people with one another to enrich their reading through book group.
Also in this newsletter: literary events are gearing up around the country, BDS members and staff have book reviews and recommendations for you to check out, and we introduce you to titles just added to the Intermediate English catalogue.
We've added four new titles with discussion questions to our Intermediate English/ESOL catalogue:
Dawn Raid (NZ) — The diary of 13-yr-old Sofia, who is half Samoan, depicts life in 1970s NZ during the infamous Dawn Raids.
Night at the Museum — based on the motion picture about a museum where all the exhibits come to life after dark.
Steve Jobs and the Story of Apple — The story of a man who changed the way we live our lives.
Suffragette — The fictional story of Maud, a London laundry worker who joins the campaign for women's suffrage.
To search all Intermediate English titles, select category 'Quick Read' in the online catalogue
If you're interested in volunteering as a convenor of an ESOL group, please get in touch.
From the blog
BDS member, Jeanie Brigham recently reviewed Being Chinese: A New Zealander's Story for our blog. Check out her review and contact Renee if you'd like to submit a review of your own!
Check out Kirsty's review of Husna's Story (NZ Non-fiction) and catch up on what the rest of the BDS team have been reading and recommending in the Staff Picks section of the website.
Lookalikes!
Apparently if you work together long enough, you start to share a psychic wardrobe. BDS staff members Lesley and Jane recently showed up to work wearing almost identical outfits — right down to the shoes and jewellery!
We originally shared this photo on Facebook and Instagram — we'd love for you to follow us there too!
Follow us on Facebook
Keep in touch with us between newsletters! We post new BDS titles, book reviews, recommendations, literary news and more.
We also have a private group for book clubbers around NZ to share news, ideas and book recommendations with other groups: Request to join The Book Group Group and be part of the conversation.
Find us on Instagram
We're also on Instagram @bookdiscussionschemenz posting book reviews, new title announcements, quotes and other book-related content. We'd love to see you there too.
The best place to start if you're a group looking for new members, or a reader looking for a group, is the interactive map at www.bds.org.nz/join.
You can send messages directly to group convenors and other readers:
Red Stars = Groups open to new members
Blue Stars = Readers wanting to start a group
TIP: Existing groups can check their open/closed status and update their group description by logging into the convenor section of the website and going to 'Group's Profile'.
More tips for forming and growing book groups
Leave a message in your local library, community noticeboard or workplace. Download and use one of our free book club poster templates here on our website.
Join your neighbourhood's Facebook group and place a post there.
Neighbourly is another great online tool for connecting with people in your area.
Place a free ad in your local newspaper.
Contact renee@bds.org.nz if you'd like to be featured as either a reader or a group in an upcoming newsletter or on BDS social media.
