Andrew Thornton at Allegory Gallery started an online book club with a creative twist. Each month participants can create something inspired by that month's book. It should be fun to see what everyone makes. (And yes, it's funny that someone who writes a blog titled "Beads and Books" didn't think of this idea!)
His inspiration came in part because the gallery shares space with a bookstore. It's becoming more difficult to sell books in a brick-and-mortar shop, so this is one way to lend a little support. (The books can be ordered from Second Chapter Books or a local book store near you.)
I've just agreed to work on a huge project due in August, so I'm not sure if I'll have time to participate in the monthly blog hops where everyone shares photos of their creative projects. I'm still going to try and read all the books on the list. Will you join me? The first book for April is Paris to the Moon by Adam Gopnik. It's a collection of essays and journal entries written by a self-described "comic-sentimental essayist" who spent five years with his family in Paris.
See the full list of books for the year and read more about the Inspired by Reading book club.