I don't think read along will work, I've only seen the Malazan one take off with me, Jeni ,Xia and Windy so I think you defiantly need three or four people who post to replies otherwise you get disillusion and think you are posting to just thin air.
I have noticed people vote for books there have just recently read as there enjoy it and then don't participate in the book club when it wins, the The Lions of Al-Rassan had a lot of nominations but less then half of those who said what a great book it is hardly posted in that book club because I felt there already read it.