It’s May 4th, do you know where your copy of The Handmaid’s Tale is?

I do. It’s sitting on my bookstand right next to Wuthering Heights.

Little did I know I would be overlapping some readalongs. But following Heathcliff and Cathy through their friendship, wilder than the country it’s set in, and knowing that Atwood’s reputation is well deserved for writing a great story was too good to pass up. Thus, May is looking to be one of the better reading months I’ve had in a long time.

If you haven’t heard of Margaret May, and even if you have, then this is the post for you.

Pam over at Bookalicous is hosting a wonderful event called Margaret May. The goal? To spend the first three weeks in May reading The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. Then, for the last week of the month, we will be watching the movie and discussing its similarities (or not) with the author’s work.

Readalongs seem to be growing by the day, and although very similar in their goals, each has a unique aspect. I really like Pam’s way of making this a little more unique than others. The following interview will give you a better idea of what I mean.

Biblio Brat: Welcome to the Biblio Blogazine, thank you so much for letting me pick your brain for a bit about your upcoming readalong.

Pam: First of all let me say that I love the Biblio Blogazine. I come here when I want to be provoked into thought. It is everything I want my blog to be when it grows up

BB: I just love this comment, but don’t take this the wrong way: I hope your blog doesn’t grow up! Or grow up much. I love the layout and what you do too much to see it change.

Now, I really want to know, what prompted you to host your own readalong, and why Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale?

Pam: I read this book on a whim from the library a couple of years ago before the rise in the dystopian theme. I feel I missed the subtlety of some of the themes in the book. I feel Margaret is a true master of this genre and her works need to be praised and worshiped.

BB: You’re including watching the movie adaptation as part of the complete experience. What is your reasoning behind this?

Pam: I like to see how badly Hollywood can kill a dream? Haha. I digress, I really am just such a visual reader. I like to see if Hollywood can make the visual better than I can when I am reading.

BB: Would every book chosen have a companion movie, or is that even a criteria?

Pam: I think it is cool if it has one. It’s fun to compare the differences and see if you think the characters fit the mold.

BB: I see that discussions will be held in an online chat room instead of readers using their blogs to post their thoughts. Do you feel this is a better format – holding an actual discussion instead of using comment sections which are not as dynamic?

Pam: The main reason I wanted to read this with a group is so that we could discuss it. To agree and disagree and have hopefully amazing adult conversations on Atwood’s work. I love discussing books face to face and I feel very unconnected to readalongs that are discussed on Twitter or on the blogs and in comments. I don’t want to wait for a reply or be limited to 140 characters. I want real discussion.

BB: Do you feel Readalongs are made better by providing a platform for live discussions?

Pam: I think it is best in person, but I am not one for a book club. Unless I am the Dictator and get to pick every book we are ever going to read. I don’t want to read a lot of the books others enjoy. I kinda suck like that.

BB: If this is successful, would you consider holding another?

Pam: I would love to. Or maybe we should make this a “group thing” and take turns at picking books (each being able to play the part of Dictator) in order to discuss our favorite titles.

BB: If you did, which book would you choose and why?

Pam: Perfume by Suskind. There is so much to discuss!

Thank you for asking thought provoking questions! It was really easy to
answer.

There you have it, a behind-the-decision look at why a particular hosts chooses a book for a readalong.

Have you hosted one? What was your reasoning behind starting it?

If you have an idea for Inquiring Within, please leave a comment or your question. I am hoping to make this a regular feature on my blog, helping others to understand why and how bloggers  make their blog an interactive source of ideas and information.