How to start and run....
...a bookclub.
Benefits of bookclubs
- Setting aside time to read, especially for the informal deadline of a bookclub, helps you to create regular dedicated time for yourself.
- You discover books that you might not have considered picking up, let alone reading and discussing, as well as sharing your own favourites.
- Its relatively cheap, especially if you source books from your local library.
- Bookclubs create a light yet safe space for sharing views and experiences about the world.
- Its a great way to meet and make new friends and enjoy a change of social scene.
- Don't let a global pandemic stop you, in fact, some are saying this is the perfect time to start one.
Tips for selecting books
- Ask each reader to submit their suggestion and use these to timetable your club's reading for the next three months.
- Take turns on choosing by drawing a name from a hat.
- Select a couple of titles and ask readers to vote their preference.
- Choose genre first, then a title and this will help ensure reading is varied.
- Use lists such as these for inspiration. There's even this one specifically for bookclubs.
Good reads for book clubs
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
- Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
- Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
- Educated by Tara Westover
- Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Tips for your bookclub meet
- Kick off your meet with a quick overview of etiquette and structure. This means reminding participants to not interupt, listen well and allow everyone to have a turn at speaking. Don't forget to let the group know when drinks and snacks will be available.
- Make your own namecards so everyone can see who is who easily. This is especially useful for more transient groups where quite a few people may not know one another.
- Using questions from publishers or those found in the back of books is a good way to kick off discussions
- Take a quick 'temp' test about the book before the discussion by asking readers to rate it between 1-5. Ask again afterwards and see if the discussion has brought new appreciations (or not) of the book.