August Book Club Selection: To Kill a Mockingbird

Since we didn't receive any response on the previous post in which we asked about title suggestions, we’d like to announce that To Kill a Mockingbird is the choice we made for August, let us know if you’re willing to take part and commit to the reading schedule and the discussion sessions so we could start. Again, without your contribution and willingness to read with us, the bookclub wouldn’t work out so we’re waiting for your approval.

Our First Book Club Starts Today!

Reading our chosen book for this month ''Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows" starts now. Pick up your copy and let's all start reading from today! On Wednesday, the 15th, a post will be up reviewing the 5 chapters and our first live discussion starts at 8 PM. Don't miss it!

While reading, write down a few notes: they could be questions you'd like to discuss here or your own thoughts on some characters.. Or anything else you've observed and would like to share with us. One thing to keep in mind though is to not share any spoilers of the upcoming chapters, just the 5 that we're assigned to read in these 3 days.

Happy reading! See you again on Wednesday at 8 PM.

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P.S You could save this calendar on your phone/desktop to keep up with the schedule and don't forget to check the blog everyday for updates or news.

Update: Here's a PDF version of the The Deathly Hallows book for those who've lost their copy or don't have one. (Thanks to @Squinty1989 for taking the time to upload it)

Here are the current reviewers next to their assigned chapters.

* 1-5:
The Dark Lord Ascending -> Fallen Warrior (Noor)

*6-10:
The Ghoul in Pajamas -> Kreacher's Tale (Kitten)

*11-15:
The Bribe -> The Goblin's Revenge(Sara)

*16-20:
Godric's Hallow -> Xenophilius Lovegood (Huda)

*21-25:
The Tale of the Three Brothers -> Shell Cottage (Ms. Nina)

*26-30:
Gringotts -> The Sacking of Severus Snape (G-chan)

*31-36:
The Battle of Hogwarts -> The Flaw in the Plan + The Epilogue (Kitten)

First Book Club Read: The Deathly Hallows

With the Harry Potter movies coming to an end in July 15th I thought it’d be fun to read (or re-read in the majority’s case) The Deathly Hallows book together. For those of you who are as excited as I am, you’ll enjoy re-reading again, only this time with your favourite peeps online.

So how does this work?

We’ll start reading on the 13th of June, an opening post will be put up to announce the beginning of the challenge. I’ve divided the 35 chapters in 3 weeks. Meaning: 5 chapters in 3 days. On the third day, a post by one of us will be put up reviewing what he/she thought of the chapters, asking questions for you all to interact and comment on what you’ve discovered/learned or liked in these 5 chapters. To make it easier for all of us and in order to understand the arrangement of the days and chapters, I made this calendar (Which, I hope, is clear)


How is this different?

Well for one, we’re all reading together at the same. Second, we’ll be reading and sharing our comments on the go.

This is my first time arranging a book club and without you guys, your willingness and contribution, this thing would not work. This is just an idea, I can’t go on about it without your support and input. Thus I’d really appreciate if you would tell me beforehand if you’re willing to step in and be consistent with the group. If you’ve read The Deathly Hallows before and do not intend on reading it again, do come in to add your comments, discuss and let us know your thoughts. If you’ve not read the book, then hey, it’s a fun activity during your summer!

Leave a comment if you want to participate and if you have any suggestions or ideas, don’t hesitate to e-mail me on: omanibookmania@gmail.com

Please spread this message around, re-post, share the link, tweet it, email it, for all those bookworms out there who haven’t read the book or want to re-read it again. We want to make this happen and you can help us.

Why Omani Book Mania?

(1) I've searched around for an Omani-based blog about books, English ones to be exact and I couldn't find any. We can say it's one-of-a-kind in town.

(2) Sometimes, I get messages from different people to recommend books quickly when they're in a bookstore and I always reply late so before heading out, check this place for reviews and choose on your own.

(3) This is a special area for us readers to rave and rant about our latest reads, favourite authors and characters. Where you'll actually might find someone sharing same ideas as yours.

(4) I'll publish guest reviews as well. Remember: this is NOT a personal blog, but it's more of a readers' cafe to express their thoughts and share their reviews. You can e-mail them to me on: omanibookmania@gmail.com

The main purpose of this blog is to make it easier for all of you out there to get your hands on the right books. Here we will review and your only task is to choose what appeals to your taste and start reading.

I hope that that explains my reasons for those who hate numerous blogs but the new one is totally different. I’m having high expectations for Omani Book Mania and since it’s something I’m really passionate about, I’d put my heart and soul into it in order for it to work out into something big. Oman seriously needs book clubs. We’d start out slowly...untill we gain many followers and then we could start discussing.

In the mean time, I’d really appreciate it if you send your suggestions or queires about what I’m going to do for Omani Book Mania. Any ideas are more than welcome. If you’re interested in sharing your book reviews or being part of the team e-mail them here: omanibookmania[at]gmail[dot]com

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1. بحثت كثيرا عن مدونات عمانية تتحدث عن الكتب، والانجليزية منها بالذات ولكن باءت محاولاتي بالفشل. لذا يمكننا بأن نقول بأن هذه المدونة هي الأولى والوحيدة من نوعها.
2. في بعض الأحيان، أستقبل رسائل من أشخاص مختلفين يطلبون مني ترشيح كتب سريعا عندما يكونون في المكتبات، وغالبا كما أقوم بالرد عليهم متأخرا. فقبل خروجكم، تأكدوا من القاء نظرة على القراءات في هذا الموقع، طب وتخيَر كما تريد!
3. لنعتبر جميعا هذه البقعة مكان لنا نحن القرَاء مكانا يجمعنا لنتحاور ونتبادل الآراء عن آخر ما قرأناه، كتَابنا وشخصياتنا المفضلين.
4. سوف أقوم كذلك بنشر قراءات لضيوف المدونة، تذكروا أن هذه المدونة ليست شخصية! ولكنها أقرب لأن تكون إلى مقهى للقرَاء، نوَفر لهم فيه المتنفس للتعبير عن آراءهم ومشاركة قراءاتهم. فقط أرسلوا ما تودوا المشاركة به على بريد المدونة: omanibookmania@gmail.com

هدفنا الأساسي من هذه المدونة هو أن نجعل تجربة اقتناء الكتاب الصحيح تجربة سهلة وممتعة. سوف ننشر القراءات، ومهمتك ستكون اختيار ما تهفو إليه نفسك ويروق لذائقتك من كتب!

أتمنى بان يكون ما سبق يشرح ببساطة أسباب تفكيري ببدأ مدونة كهذه. آمالي لهذه البقعة كبيرة جدا، خصوصا أنها من الأشياء التي طالما عشقتها! عمان بحاجة حقيقية لأندية القراءة. قد تكون البداية بطيئة، إلى أن نظفر بمتابعة كبيرة حتى نستطيع أن نبدأ بالنقاشات على مستوى أكبر.

في الوقت الحالي، أقدر أي أسئلة أو اقتراحات قد تجودون بها علي بخصوص هذه المدونة. أفكاركم ستكون حتما في محل الترحيب. إذا كنتم من المهتمين بمشاركة قراءاتكم أو إذا أحببتم أن تكونوا جزءا من فريق العمل، لا تترددوا بالتواصل معنا عبر: omanibookmania@gmail.com