I decided to come up with a generic list of book club questions to compel us to dig deeper than did you like the book. Use our ideas to help you organize your book club activities, hold good discussions, and settle tough issues. This means that you fold an 8 12 sheet of paper in half and fold again to create a. House rules to ensure that all members enjoy the experience of being in the book club, it is sometimes.
Sep 05, 2016 having great book discussion questions is essential to leading a successful book club, and now that i run an online moms book club i use this lesson to avoid awkward silences yes they can happen online and create a lively, engaging book club meeting each month. Decide what will be best for your group and try it for 34 months, and if it doesnt work try something different. Online book club a free online community for book lovers. Even if your members are used to being part of group discussions and are good at listening to each other, it can still be a good idea to have somebody lead the meeting, in part to make sure that everyones voices get heard but also to come prepared with thoughts on what topics would be good to discuss, so if the conversation starts to run dry in one. Establishing a book club this is useful information for people thinking about starting a new book club. A good friend is a connection to life a tie to the past, a road to the future, the key to sanity in a totally insane world. This is a literary analysis technique called close reading. Book club parties are a good way to get friends together and have great discussion over appetizers, drinks, or brunch. Use your journal, bookmark, and whatever you prepared for the meeting. Book, reading journal, bookmarks, and pencils meeting 1 leader. Custom design your own minutes with the meeting notes template or use a specific minutes template like the educational, pta meeting, or informal meeting. My current book club group is much more casual, but perhaps too much so.
Gather everyone together to discuss the first book option, the permanent meeting location and time, how the book club will. A monthly book club meeting at a local barrestaurantcoffee shopmy house to discuss the book we read. It outlines preparation and program for a first meeting, highlighting issues each group should consider. If youre looking for books that may introduce your children to other cultures, some far away, some in different states in the u. This is particularly important with small groups as it is very discouraging to find barely enough people turn up to form a conversation, or too many have not read the book making it difficult for those few who have to discuss it. Arrive at 7pm meet, chat, eat if food is on offer and discuss any book club issues such as what to read next.
If youre ready to start a book club, heres 40 of the best book club questions, for fiction and nonfiction alike. Jul 19, 2017 i have been in 3 book clubs in my life, one for the last 18 years we are still going strong. Employee development through reading start a book club. Depending on the seriousness level of the group, you may want to do a bit of research on the author, time period, etc. Book clubs are increasing in popularity, as they provide a fun way to meet new people and learn in a relaxed, social environment. Apr 19, 2011 here is why i encourage my employees to join in burtons book club.
If its in your home, you might want to keep it to eight or less. In fact, differing opinions make the best discussions. Jul 17, 2017 a general outline for book club discussion two to two and a half hours is a good amount of time to aim for each book club meeting for the first half hour, take time to share snacks and socialize or do an icebreaker activity. Appoint a club memberwhoever selected the book or the person who is hosting. Dec 14, 2017 in one of my past book clubs, we literally only read books that included discussion questions at the end of the book because we wanted to be certain wed have a meaningful discussion. My favorite way to troubleshoot this fatigue is to rotate through every member picking a book. At the bottom of the page you will also find useful links, all in one place.
While the variety and commitment of members matter more than the quantity, do ensure there. Book club meeting agenda sample bring to the meeting. Club size ideal number of book club numbers is 815, with the optimum number being 1012. Children over 2 should be kept in the closet or with a sitter. A great way to gather a large diverse group is to invite 35 people and ask each of them to invite 3 or 4 friends. Youll find an agenda format that will help you keep your meeting on track and on. Starting a group the easiest way to start a reading group is. Apr 06, 2016 book clubs should be a place where people are the most sympathetic if you havent found time to read. Not everyone can finish every book, but nonreaders may still have valuable insights. Successful groups select good books, have interesting discussions, and foster community. Some clubs have one member who enjoys leading all discussions. Ive found that the best book club discussion questions are ones that are openended and that get people to share their personal opinions. Sara janes house, 345 sullivan drive, hamden, ct 06518. Scholastic book clubs childrens books for parents and teachers.
We meet in a private facebook group and chat about a new book every month. Coordinate with your members to set up a pre book club meeting. Soon enough, who liked and didnt like the book will become obvious. Litcourse 3 has a good discussion of close reading. The meeting place the location of your book club meetings. One reader emailed me that in her book club mary not her real name insisted that she would host club meetings every week. For the first meeting, it makes sense for you to suggest the title and prepare a few discussion questions. Clear the house of spouses, family members, and roommates who wont be participating.
Email your book club members to inform them of the following. Explore the wide variety of free agenda templates, including the classic meeting agenda template in word and the flexible agenda in excel. How to run a book club for seniors senior living link. Book clubs are where book lovers can exchange their views on what books they prefer. Starting or joining a book club is initially exciting. Get started 2 min sit in a circle, facetoface, where you can talk quietly and still hear each other. 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. Use this template to provide a fixed focus and to kill boredom. If you are starting a book club yourself, you may need some ideas for creating a fun group that people will come back to time after time. These free printable book club meeting invitations contain vector images and are quarter page folded invitations. As i get older, the company of these women friends becomes more and more important to me. Besides giving people the reason to attend the meeting, the agenda will ensure maximum utilization of time by focusing on the key components item list of the meeting.
Select a volunteer to lead the book discussion at this meeting. The pitfalls to book club success are many too much wine, too little commitment, internal dissension over reading materials, and so on. The perfect book club is made up of three key things. Of course, some book clubs are purely recreational.
Other times, the focus might be something more general like leadership practices. Book club free printable party invitation invite template. Some people also love a blended book club, with meetings online one month and inperson the next. If youre ready to start a book club, heres 40 of the best book club questions, for fiction. Its more fun to read the same book with your buddies, which is why book clubs are especially great for reluctant readers. Confirm the date, time, and location of your next meeting. Get your book clubbook discussion group off to a successful start with this list of key questions to discuss at your first book discussion group meeting. You dont have to be in an english class to analyze books as a group. Invite members to the first meeting at least two weeks before the date youve selected. Our 23 hour meetings are primarily a social gathering with a mere 10 minute discussion about the book snuck somewhere in the middle. A few startup tips from vicki levy krupp, coauthor of the kids book club book. How to discuss books litlovers book club recommendations. This may seem obvious, but it is the most important step, so it is worth stating.
Get your book club together with a free or premium online invitations. To ensure that all members enjoy the experience of being in the book club, it is sometimes helpful to discuss some guidelines relating to meeting etiquette. General book club questions for study and discussion. Club members or employees can easily navigate items on the minutes template to stay up to date on the latest news, whether they were present at the meeting or not. The ideal size of a book club is between 8 and 16 members. Instead, have somebody open up with a question about the title or the point of view of the writer.
It is up to the chairperson of a club meeting to decide how formally he wants it to get rolling. It is a good idea to plan on finishing the book a little earlier than you might otherwise so that you have time to think about it and prepare before your book club meets. How to start a book club that doesnt suck book riot. For context, my book club is comprised of a dozen welleducated women from around the us, who all live in the bay area currently. Whether your childs a bookworm or a struggling reader, sharing a book with others is way more fun than reading solo. If it is for working adults it should meet once a month, on a week day evening. There is never any one way to experience or interpret a book. I may be biased, but moms book nook is the best online moms book club youll find. Rotate members take turns, each choosing a book for a given month. Whether the group is large or small, encourage all book club members to read the book and attend the meetings regularly. How to lead a successful book club discussion bookbrowse.
Select a volunteer to lead the relevance discussion, too. Take notes or mark passages that strike youpassages you find significant, funny, or insightful. Coordinating a time and a place to meet is one of the largest challenges for many book clubs. Its your turn to moderatelead your book clubs discussion. A book club should have 5 to 9 members, but it should be an odd number. Most book clubs socialize first and then get down to book club discussion. Two mini book clubs meeting at the same time might make people happy.
Hold a quick organizational meeting to determine the number of chapters the group wants to read each week and to pass out the books. As a member or leader of a book club, you are likely to be reading books on a wide variety of topics, both fiction and nonfiction. Insist that discussion time be limited to the book. Vote all members make suggestions, followed by an open discussion, and vote. Logan smith, megan mark, gaby moore, susan johnson, taylor oconnor, kendall carroll. See more ideas about book club books, book club parties and book worms. Ive been in a lot of book clubs, and i know its not always easy to get a conversation going on a book. Book club discussion questions this page gives you a full list of all the books featured on this site, split between fiction and non fiction. Choosing the right books or movies is important because people may like a diversified genre. Whether you contact them by phone, email or the web, let them know when and where the first meeting will be held.
You cant fix an irretrievably flawed club, of course, but you can make sure that you are the best possible member you can be, doing your own small part to sustain the health of your little literary community. Gather a group of friends, choose a book and start reading. When you are ready to lead your first discussion, heed the following tips to get the most rewarding experience out of your club meeting. Scholastic book clubs is the best possible partner to help you get excellent childrens books into the hands of every child, to help them become successful lifelong readers and discover the joy and power of good books.
Club meetings samples differ from routine meetings in that they dont always follow a formal course. Youre meeting new people, reading new books, talking about stories and authors for hours. Important questions to ask at your first book discussion. If youre looking for a fun, relaxed and often entertaining way to expand your social circles and your literary prowess, few methods can compare to the book club. The leader should makes sure that everyone gets a chance to speak.
Book club questions for nine perfect strangers by liane moriarty. Sometimes, the focus is professional development in a particular area. Moving forward, every member should have a voice, with the group. Additionally, you should pick a book beforehand and include it in the invite so that all readers show up wellread. If someone hasnt had a turn to talk, the leader should invite that member to participate. Book clubs should be a place where people are the most sympathetic if you havent found time to read. The april book is where the crawdads sing by delia owens 384 pages fans of barbara kingsolver will love this stunning debut novel from a new york times bestselling nature writer, about an unforgettable young woman, abandoned at age ten to. How to lead a book club discussion pen and the pad. Want to see these questions in action, and join a fun monthly online book club no awkward silences, promise. Weve got great ideas for organizing a book club meeting tips on how to lead a book discussion and good book club etiquette. Set reminders, track rsvps, message guests, and text your invitations.
Ideally, no one member will have to host every meeting of the club. If the purpose of your book club is to get people together, theres no reason you all need to be reading the same book. Aim to discuss the book for about half an hour to start with and see how it goes. Book club basics getting started leader norms san rafael. Every book page contains useful information for your book group including book club questions. During book club meetings there is a fair amount of socializing and having a good time.
The location of your book club meetingsa restaurant, library, or your living roomwill influence the number of members in the club and vice versa. 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. Atmosphere is closely related to the structure of the clubs meeting. Books will be diverse, and will hopefully, pique everyones interest.
Does your book club need a little help in creating conversation. Dec 28, 2018 nine perfect strangers by liane moriarty is about a bizarre experience for nine strangers at a remote health resort. Liven up your book club meetings by playing a quick game or two when your members first arrive. An agenda format is also available for specific events, including multiday conferences, pta meetings, and team shareouts. A general outline for book club discussion two to two and a half hours is a good amount of time to aim for each book club meeting for the first half hour, take time to share snacks and socialize or do an icebreaker activity. Whether your book club is a few close friends or a larger group, hosting a book club party still takes some amount of planning. Book club meeting agenda for meeting alycia zimmerman. Choose one question at a time and toss it out to the group. We announce the book selection on the first monday of the month and discuss on the last monday of the month at.
Its especially helpful for those who travel or miss a meeting or two. Use specific passages from the book as evidence for your ideas. If youve been too busy to read, you deserve respite from the cold, cruel world, and a cookie. Lois wyse we were a book club long before oprah started the book club rage. Of course, you will also discuss the latest book you are reading, but if that is all you do your meetings will soon become boring. This agenda template allows you to provide your project team with an outline of your meeting ahead of time so they can come prepared, making your meeting more effective. Some clubs hold book discussions first and invite social members to join afterward. The venue you choose will have some impact on the atmosphere of the club meeting. Other groups choose their next book at the end of each meeting, or go for a middle ground and pick three months ahead.
Our monthly meetings have been a constant in my life. The schedule section has an allotted time column where you can specify how many minutes youd like each topic or discussion item to take. Book clubs at work can play a number of different roles. Heres how to be the best book club member you know huffpost. The first two things are easy to accomplish just read anything by. The benefits of club meeting agenda a comprehensive agenda guarantees a high level of productivity. Hosting your book club online makes meeting easy and. Heres how to start a book club that doesnt peter out along the way.
I will email those attending with the address of the meetup on the monday before the book club meeting. Imagine having to remind people continuously in a meeting what the main topics to discuss are. No matter the genre, age, notoriety, or length of the book of the moment, book club questions can kickstart or enhance your group discussion. This is an opportunity to meet and connect with other colleagues and share your perspective on a diverse set of topics. Feb 08, 2016 meeting at home is easy for some groups, but switching up your spot a cafe, library, big bookstore, or even a park on a nice day can make all the difference between a strict and laidback. Coordinate with your members to set up a prebook club meeting.