As you read each novel, jot down page numbers and passages that moved you and where you found answers to the discussion questions. If you dont have anywhere to meet in person, you can start a virtual book club using social media or video chatting. We find that the best discussions last between 45 and 90 minutes. But there is more to starting a book club than you might think.
Sep 08, 2019 to start a book club, start by finding a small group of people who all love to read, like friends, family members, or coworkers. I had scoured the book room, gone book shopping spending my own money and used most of my scholastic points. Generally, however, editors need to present the book at their weekly editorial meeting and get their team onboard before they can make an. Jennifer donovan is here today sharing how and why you should start a book club with your friends. Aug 21, 2017 ive found that the best book club discussion questions are ones that are openended and that get people to share their personal opinions. Vote all members make suggestions, followed by an open discussion, and vote. An old article from the huffington post is making the rounds in my facebook feed. Covid19 advisory for the health and safety of meetup communities, were advising that all events be hosted online in the coming. Most clubs are held in members homes on a rotating basis. Will the same person be in charge for each meeting, or will you. There are so many reasons to be part of a book club. Dec 14, 2017 my current book club group is much more casual, but perhaps too much so. The first thing you should do is figure out who will come to your book club.
Not everyone can finish every book, but nonreaders may still have valuable insights. A book discussion group is a forum where readers can come together and talk about books and the reading experience there are adult groups, studentled groups, motherdaughter groups, fatherson groups, and parentchild groups, to name just a few. Wearing a giant, oversized scarf will make you look deeply intelligent in almost any situation, but especially a book club. I plan to meet every other week for discussion, but how many pages should we read between meetings. With a book you can discuss many things such as the characters or the plot, or even go deeper, and it helps gives an insight of the people you are around in the book. If its in your home, you might want to keep it to eight or less. Decide how the book club will be run will you have a leader. The location of your book club meetingsa restaurant, library, or your living roomwill influence the number of members in the club and vice versa. Why joining a book club will make you a better writer wtd. Rotate members take turns, each choosing a book for a given month.
This stepbystep guide will help you start a book club that can last for years. I dont know any people that read a lot of books in my close circle, but whenever i finish a book, i have an urge to talk about it with someone. Depending on whether one chapter, one section, or the whole book will be discussed, book clubs may meet weekly, monthly, or every 6 weeks. Generally, 50,000 would be considered the minimum word count, and ideally a novel should be over 70,000 words. Mary burnham is dubray books book club coordinator. Keep your book club interesting by switching up the themes, genres, and time periods. If youre ready to start a book club, heres 40 of the best book club questions, for fiction and nonfiction alike. Do reminder messages need to be sent out by mail or phone. Hcls staff also can discuss what works well for other book groups. Then, decide on a place for your book club to meet, like your house or a local library.
Only ive never been in a book club before, or known anyone who has been in one. How to select books litlovers book club recommendations. If you want your book club to be a little closer knit, you can also meet on a weekly or biweekly basis to discuss each book as you read it. You come into a club, meet once a month, and create a shared bond, says michael k. I searched online, but havent found any advice about this. We usually go for a drink in august no book as many of us are away, and we have a meal together at christmas. Mixedmembers rotate each month, with the member whose turn it is proposing 3 different titles. Selecting books voteall members make suggestions, followed by an open discussion, and vote.
How long does it take for an editor to make an offer. Jul 17, 2017 jennifer donovan is here today sharing how and why you should start a book club with your friends. Some meet during the day, over the weekend, or for breakfast. Find meetups and meet people in your local community who share your interests. A book club is a great way to meet new friends and read good books. Your goal should be between 5 and 15 people, so everyone gets a chance to speak. Ive only had experience with mine, so ill share how ours is organized and why i believe weve had such endurance. Aug 15, 2016 book events and signings are magical for a myriad of reasons.
With diane keaton, jane fonda, candice bergen, mary steenburgen. Tips for running a successful, sustainable book club. Every member should have the opportunity to voice their opinions. Book events and signings are magical for a myriad of reasons. So when i announced that today was the day they would know their book club groups, i had not planned for the groan of disapproval that met me. By most peoples standards, 40,000 words would be pretty short for a novel. Some people work full time, and some are unemployed. Four lifelong friends have their lives forever changed after reading 50 shades of grey in their monthly book club. Every now and then, meet at a bar and toast your selection with a literarythemed cocktail like, say, a great gatsby. If you are running the book club, you can volunteer to be the moderator, or have other members of the club take turns at the helm.
Thats the level where publishers may suggest dividing a story into multiple volumes. Jan 29, 2009 my book club my boys, ages five and seven would meet each night eager to discuss the hilarious effects of whizzpoppers or their distaste for snozzcumbers. Big enough as it can be a challenge to fit any more in a living room. Some clubs meet online, many meet inperson either in homes or public places such as a library, bookstore or cafe. My current book club group is much more casual, but perhaps too much so. In fact, differing opinions make the best discussions. There is never any one way to experience or interpret a book. A book club is a reading group, usually consisting of a number of people who read and talk about books based on a topic or an agreedupon reading list. May 12, 2015 just be mindful of everyones time, and dont promise the book club will meet from 6 to 8 p. Post a flyer on the community board at your local bookstore or library, or check out and. The perfect day for me is spent reading while sipping a cup of tea, dozing occasionally, reading some more, pausing to reflect. Its common for book clubs to choose a specific book to read and discuss at the same time. If you are in a book club and have some ideas to share, id love to hear from. Find over 4306 reading groups with 1537412 members near you and meet people in your local community who share your interests.
Some book clubs meet at a different restaurant each month. Ive been on the lookout for good advice on how to start a book club and havent found anything remotely as good as yours. More than 50 choices awaited my students, i couldnt wait to start book clubs. Ive found that the best book club discussion questions are ones that are openended and that get people to share their personal opinions. Most book clubs meet about once per month, since a monthly meeting gives each member ample time to read each book. Wanting to spare my close circle any conversations where they politely pretend theyre interested, i thought maybe i should join a book club. Covid19 advisory for the health and safety of meetup. Having discussion questions before your book club meets will help facilitate a good discussion of your book.
Try this book club reading list for a year of suggestions. After the umpteenth book on the same subject or with the same feel, your members will long for a palate cleanser and may eventhe book club kiss of deathtake a break from reading the books. Feb 03, 2018 14 online book clubs you can join right now. Jan 23, 2015 i had scoured the book room, gone book shopping spending my own money and used most of my scholastic points. Why women need their girlfriends by kari kampakis reinforces the importance of womens friendships, specifically into their 40s and 50s.
Important questions to ask at your first book discussion. Based in dun laoghaire, she sets up clubs all over the country from 6 to 60 people. I am starting a book club and as part of it we want to meet out and try different places to eat as well. Oct 30, 2007 try this book club reading list for a year of suggestions. A club member recommended the graphic novel maus, and it really opened our eyes and hearts to the horrors of the holocaust. We were a book club long before oprah started the book club rage. Food is not required, but it helps the discussion roll and makes the book club meetings more fun.
At the book club i am currently a part of, i have made many new friends, and it is all because of the bonds we have made over discussing books. Just be mindful of everyones time, and dont promise the book club will meet from 6 to 8 p. It is important to consider how often your book club will meet and for how long. In the early years, all of us were mothers of babies and young children. In many clubs, the one who hosts the meeting picks the book. We writers can learn from both the good and the bad. Meet too rarely and it is easy for members to attrite due to a lack of engagement or by joining another more reliable club. So this thought popped up during the past couple of days while i was searching for book clubs in my area. If an editor is really enthusiastic about your book, it could take just a couple of days or even less. Use our ideas to help you organize your book club activities, hold good discussions, and settle tough issues. Its especially helpful for those who travel or miss a meeting or two. Comfortable place for book club meeting restaurants. Many of these topics are also good to consider if youre joining an existing club, or your book club is having problems.
In fact, the story was so captivating that my book club would also meet at the breakfast table to reflect on the horrific fleshlumpeater or to discuss whether we might actually. Each member chooses a book and we usually read that book at their house. After you join a book club and eventually give up, perhaps you can use these tricks, too. There are lots of book clubs out there now, and theres more than one way to run a successful one. Recruiting members friends and neighbors are a good place to start, particularly if you are trying to create an informal group.
Joining a book club can seem impossible, if you dont know where to look. To help you make sure your book club is on point, here is a short guide about how to start a book club to help you make yours perfect. Formal book clubs meet on a regular basis at a set location. Rotatemembers take turns, each choosing a book for a given month. A book club sometimes called a reading group or book group is a group of people who get together on a regular basis to discuss books. Meet new people while making friends is always good for the soul, a book club gives you a chance to meet people from different walks of life. When choosing when to meet, make sure there is enough time for members to read the portion of the book that will be discussed. How to start a book club that doesnt suck book riot. Make sure to get input from your group on how often the club should be holding discussions. To avoid these relentless chores, i keep a few tricks up my paisley cotton sleeves.
Also, look for classes and forums of interest to book clubs. To start a book club, start by finding a small group of people who all love to read, like friends, family members, or coworkers. Im starting a book club with a 540 page book that had a lot of interest. Hcls offers various book lists to assist in choosing titles, including books for discussion see link below, a list specifically designed and updated with book clubs in mind. As our kids grew up, so did the focus of our conversations. But they usually do need a point person to get things moving and help organize a few things. Book clubs are a great way to expose yourself to variety.
Our 23 hour meetings are primarily a social gathering with a mere 10 minute discussion about the book snuck somewhere in the middle. Remember that the theme of your book may determine the atmosphere of your book club. Choose a book that is long enough to encourage a good discussion. You do not want your book club members to get bored. Mixed members rotate each month, with the member whose turn it is proposing 3 different titles. Arrive at 7pm meet, chat, eat if food is on offer and discuss any book club issues such as what to read next. Youll want to give people an idea of what to expect.
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