The Illuminae Files: An Online Book Club

A year ago Read & Gush advanced into an online book club. I'm amazed it's been a whole year.

It's a fun easy way to join a book club through the internet, through bookstagram to be exact. So that means no matter where you are you can join us!

So far we have read Anne of Green Gables, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Hunger Games.

And now it's time for our next pick...

This summer's books will be The Illuminae files.  Yes, the entire trilogy!

All the discussions will be held on Instagram, so make sure you follow me aka marissa_writes, Natelle aka Tall_telle_tells_tales, and our hashtag #readgusherror so as not to miss all the fun - there will be giveaways, so you are not going to want to miss anything.

Group Read Alongs

Alright, so I'm going to venture a guess that some of you have never done a group read along... maybe only in school... and let's be honest assigned reading is never fun... 

These are completely different.  

First of all, you don't actually have to read the book if you don't want to - granted it won't be as fun during the live discussions if you have no clue what we are talking about... but hey that's fine if you want!

Or maybe you have read these books already and love them and remember them... you don't have to reread them if you don't want!  Join us anyway.

If you have already read the books, I highly recommend trying the audiobook versions.  Many libraries have digital versions you can borrow, and often Amazon does a free or discount audible option.  These books use a full cast and sound effects - trust me, these are audiobooks like nothing you've tried before. 

Yes, these are YA Sci-Fi books, so maybe the genre isn't your go to, and I get it.  To be completely honest it's not my favorite genre ever.  But the thing is, I adored these books.  They are well written and entertaining for adults too. So you know, this could be a chance to expand your reading a bit, stretch you. Anyway, this is a super fun way to read new books. 

The Details

The idea is super easy, you pick up the book, in any format you want, and start reading. 

Every other Saturday, Natelle and I will lead a group discussion, or gush session, on Instagram stories, live.

We are going to host a weekly photo challenge as well as the discussions. This will give us all a chance to engage a bit more on Instagram.

Basically, we want to hear from you, as much as you hear from us.  There are so many little details in these books, and hearing other's likes, even dislikes, and thoughts make this a community event that is worth being a part of.  

Illuminae Group Read-Along  

Schedule:

6/26- Photo Challenge: Show off your Illuminae books- the editions you will use for this group read

7/3- Photo Challenge: #IlluminaeFilesbooktag

• Aiden- Favorite AI
• Kady- Favorite Nerdy Character
• Ezra - Favorite Character in Uniform
• Hanna - Favorite Pretty & Smart Character
• Nik - Favorite Witty Character
• Hypatia - Most Violent Scene/Book
• Kerenza - Place that was Destroyed (fictional)
• Lollipop Song - Song that gets Stuck in your Head
• Phobos Virus - Book with Disease in the Plot Line
• Asha - Favorite Fictional Families
• Rhys Lindstrom - Names that appear in books more often than in real life

7/6 - Live Discussion - Kick off with giveaway - Tune in live on Instagram - specific times will be posted on Instagram closer to the date

7/10 - Photo Challenge: Books with AI's

7/17 - Photo Challenge: Illuminae merch we love (bookish merch)

7/20 - Live Discussion - Illuminae with giveaway- Tune in live on Instagram - specific times will be posted on Instagram closer to the date

7/24 - Photo Challenge: Unique book layouts/illustrated books

7/31 - Photo Challenge:  Favorite Quote from the series

8/3 - Live Discussion - Gemina with giveaway- Tune in live on Instagram - specific times will be posted on Instagram closer to the date

8/7 - Photo Challenge: Characters who excel at witty banter

8/14 - Photo Challenge:  Favorite OTP from Illuminae

8/17 - Live Discussion - Obsidio with giveaway- Tune in live on Instagram - specific times will be posted on Instagram closer to the date

Extras!

If you have been following along on Instagram already you might know that we are collecting goodies to giveaway during the live discussions! 

Just like before, Natelle and I will collect all those who participate in the live discussions (that means chiming in on the conversation, not just lurking, sorry), as well as photo challenges, and story mentions that utilize our hashtag, #readgusherror.  Please understand that not all prizes will be available outside of the United States, as the cost is often prohibitive, however, I am trying to arrange some international prizes...

(with all giveaways please know that there will be rules and such... you must be 18 or older, or have the permission of a guardian to enter- you will have to have an address that USPS will mail to - each giveaway specifics will be mentioned during the live - but none of these will be associated with Instagram or Facebook...)

Prizes:

Discussion one:  Hosted by Katie & Flickerwix – two candles of winner’s choice from available stock listed on site (open to USA addresses). Entries will be gathered from June 26- July 7 and the winner will be announced on July 8 2019.

Discussion two: Hosted by Mary Ellen & Fandom Honey Bees – Winner will get a collection of 8 bookmarks (open to USA addresses). Entries will be gathered from July 9- July 21 and the winner will be announced July 22 2019.

Discussion three: Hosted by Erica & Brio & Brandish – Winner will get an enamel pin & a sticker of their choosing (open internationally). Entries will be gathered from July 23 - August 4 and the winner will be announced August 5 2019.

Discussion four: Hosted by Ashley & MLC Co. – Winner will get one 8oz candle of their choosing (open internationally). Entries will be gathered from August 6 - August 18 and the winner will be announced August 19 2019. 

That pretty much covers it!

I think anyway - if you have any questions or concerns, let me know!  Leave a comment below or message me on Instagram.

I hope you will join in... just follow me on Instagram and Natelle: Tall_Telle_Tells_Tales and check it out!

Share this with your friends!

Are you going to join in?  Let me know!

*** Do you need to purchase a set of The Illuminae Files to join us?  Considering clicking over to Amazon through this link before you buy and a small bit will come back to help fund this site - it won't cost you more, but I'll be forever grateful!