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Sounds like a terrible idea - people are starting to hate the subscription economy, I know I do. I run a fiction book club at work and it is a lot of work, non

Sounds like a terrible idea - people are starting to hate the subscription economy, I know I do. I run a fiction book club at work and it is a lot of work, none of which I see this website solving. Also, it's unclear whether I still have to buy the book or whether the subscription allows me access to an e-version of whatever is being read.

millzlane 3y ago
Couldn't we start a HN Bookclub? we could start with some light reading about software design. Possibly A Philosophy of Software Design by John Ousterhout.
- all2 3y ago
  Can we pair it with monthly or quarterly hackathons that implement some facet described in the book?
- dancc 3y ago
  I'd participate - I find it much more engaging to read and discuss with others.
- janalsncm 3y ago
  Go for it. Pick 12 books and create a schedule for the year. Every month just create an Ask HN post for the discussion.
miguelbemartin 3y ago
Just curious, what are the problems or work when running your book club that this website is not solving?
- zwieback 3y ago
  The biggest problems: a) Selecting a book, we want something at least one or two members have already read to make sure there's a good recommendation. Going by reviews has not worked well, it's better if someone brings the selection to the group because they have some personal stake. b) Coordinating the schedule - you want to give people enough time to read the book but two months out the calendar is still volatile so often I have people drop out last minute due to meetings being schedule over, frustrating for everyone and apparently people don't want to tell their manager bookclub trumps work meeting. c) Recruiting new members, we usually have a steady core group but want to beef up our roster to where we don't end up with awkward 2 people meetings. Some of these issues don't apply with technical/business book meetings since it can be done chapter-by-chapter. We've done that as well and it's easier but usually after two or three chapters people drop off or lose interest in specific ones. You could argue that your website isn't concerned with some of the above (e.g. people preselect books, then others show up automatically) but Goodreads and others already do the same for free.
  - RyanHamilton 3y ago
    I want something like this to exist so I have signed up! It looks promising...however I have to agree with the issues that Zwieback raises. I only found the scheduled online events after I signed up, neither of which I can make. You need to address the 3 issues raised. I'll added a calendar event in 2 months, so you have that long to convince me :) Good luck!
    - miguelbemartin 3y ago
      Thank you for your valuable feedback. Our community is just starting, and we welcome any suggestions for new ideas or preferred time slots. We are currently exploring the possibility of scheduling events in the morning or afternoon, as well as finding times that accommodate participants in both NAM and EMEA regions. May we know your preferred time for the online events?
      - RyanHamilton 3y ago
        9pm London.

millzlane 3y ago

Couldn't we start a HN Bookclub? we could start with some light reading about software design. Possibly A Philosophy of Software Design by John Ousterhout.

all2 3y ago
Can we pair it with monthly or quarterly hackathons that implement some facet described in the book?
dancc 3y ago
I'd participate - I find it much more engaging to read and discuss with others.
janalsncm 3y ago
Go for it. Pick 12 books and create a schedule for the year. Every month just create an Ask HN post for the discussion.

miguelbemartin 3y ago

Just curious, what are the problems or work when running your book club that this website is not solving?

zwieback 3y ago
The biggest problems: a) Selecting a book, we want something at least one or two members have already read to make sure there's a good recommendation. Going by reviews has not worked well, it's better if someone brings the selection to the group because they have some personal stake. b) Coordinating the schedule - you want to give people enough time to read the book but two months out the calendar is still volatile so often I have people drop out last minute due to meetings being schedule over, frustrating for everyone and apparently people don't want to tell their manager bookclub trumps work meeting. c) Recruiting new members, we usually have a steady core group but want to beef up our roster to where we don't end up with awkward 2 people meetings. Some of these issues don't apply with technical/business book meetings since it can be done chapter-by-chapter. We've done that as well and it's easier but usually after two or three chapters people drop off or lose interest in specific ones. You could argue that your website isn't concerned with some of the above (e.g. people preselect books, then others show up automatically) but Goodreads and others already do the same for free.
- RyanHamilton 3y ago
  I want something like this to exist so I have signed up! It looks promising...however I have to agree with the issues that Zwieback raises. I only found the scheduled online events after I signed up, neither of which I can make. You need to address the 3 issues raised. I'll added a calendar event in 2 months, so you have that long to convince me :) Good luck!
  - miguelbemartin 3y ago
    Thank you for your valuable feedback. Our community is just starting, and we welcome any suggestions for new ideas or preferred time slots. We are currently exploring the possibility of scheduling events in the morning or afternoon, as well as finding times that accommodate participants in both NAM and EMEA regions. May we know your preferred time for the online events?
    - RyanHamilton 3y ago
      9pm London.