Encino Patch's Online Book Club Starts Now! [VIDEO]

Back in December, Encino Patch let its readers know about an that aimed to lead a new kind of discussion about books.

Encino Patch is pleased to announce the launch of its new online book club that will work in tandem with that of the Huffington Post. Over the course of 2012, the Huffington Post and various Patch sites around the country—including Encino Patch—will be reading and discussing 10 great new books. Here at Encino Patch, we'll be discussing the books online, rather than in person as a conventional book club would do.

If you've ever been part of a book club before, you'll know that the book is only a part of the discussion. It's often a jumping-off point for talking about how it reminds you of an event or memory from your own life. As the Huffington Post Book Club editor points out, the fun part is figuring out "how your reading intersects with your experiences, your memories, your everyday life and current events."

As the editor of Encino Patch, I've met many locals who describe themselves as keen readers, from parents praising their school librarians to the customers and friends of the . This club is for you.

The book

First up is the New York Times bestseller The Tiger's Wife by Téa Obreht.

The Tiger's Wife tells the tale of a young Balkan doctor mourning her grandfather's death. It's about myth-making, politics, animals and a man who can't die. It also examines how we make sense of the world around us by telling stories. to hear the author talk about her work.

How to join the conversation

1. Buy or borrow the book. You can get a copy online, at your nearest bookstore, or perhaps even grab a copy at the .

2. Begin reading. We'll meet on for our discussion of those chapters ().

3. Join the discussion. Each week a different question for discussion will be posted on Encino Patch, and the conversation will continue in the comments section. We'll also have some online discussions in real time once we get deeper into the novel.

This week's discussion

What was the last book you read? Upload a photo of it to the gallery above (if it's on your e-reader, take a picture of that), and tell us about it by leaving a comment in the box below. Did you love it? Loathe it? Let us know!