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Book Group Basics

by
Pauline Montagna
Founder and Proprietor of
First Edition Book Sales

• What is a Book Group?
• How to find a Book Group
• Starting your own Book Group
• Where to meet
• When to meet
• Selecting Books
• How the Books are Chosen
• Which Books are Chosen
• Running Discussions
• Discussion Questions
• Organising the group
• Alternatives to book groups
• Conclusion

What is a Book Group?

As is obvious from the name a Book Group or a Book Club is a group of people who meet on a regular basis to discuss selected books. The groups can vary in size, generally consisting of between four and twelve members. They usually meet once a month but some groups might meet less often. Most groups choose a book in advance which all the members read before the meeting during which the book is discussed. Book Groups are generally informal structures rather than incorporated clubs and may meet in homes, libraries or cafes.

Book Groups fall into two main categories, ‘private’ groups formed by and for a group of friends, and ‘public’ groups run by community organisations such as libraries and neighbourhood houses. Groups may also be organised by adult education providers and by bookshops.

Book Groups have become a successful cultural phenomenon because they satisfy the members’ social as well as intellectual needs. We all love to be with other people and make new friends. We all love to learn new things, to talk, to express our thoughts and opinions. All of these needs can be met in a Book Group.

For those who find it hard to socialise and meet new people, focussing on the book makes conversation easier. For reluctant or time-pressed readers, the looming monthly meeting is a great incentive to finish a book they may never otherwise read. For busy people the regularity of the monthly meeting makes it easier to slot some socialising time into their full schedule.

Althugh book groups are available to both genders and all ages, by and large, most Book Groups consist of ladies of a certain age. For these women, it is a great way to maintain or expand their circle of friends at a time in their lives when their social circle begins to close down. If they have demanding families and/or working lives, the monthly book group meeting might be their only ‘me’ time. And, of course, it enhances their intellectual life, introducing them to new and exciting ideas, books and authors.

However, men and younger people should not dismiss the concept of joining or forming a Book Group. As informal structures they can readily be adapted to the members’ needs and interests. For example you may form a men only group that discusses books on war, or a young people’s group devoted to fantasy. There are no limits on the possibilities.

Online Book Groups are also available, particularly in specialised fields, and are a good alternative for people who live in isolated areas or are housebound. However, they are a pale substitute for the personal contact a real Book Group provides.

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How to find a Book Group

Book Groups have become such a widespread phenomenon that it should not be too difficult to find one to join.

• Ask around your circle of friends and work colleagues. You are sure to find someone who is a member of a group and willing to invite you along.
• Enquire at your local library, community centre or even your local bookshop.
• Try online directories such as Book Club Meetups or Clubs of Australia
• Adult education providers such as U3A (University of the Third Age) often organise Book Groups
• If you are in Victoria, you can enquire with the CAE (Centre of Adult Education) for a Book Group near you.

However, if none of these groups meet your personal needs, you always have the option of forming your own Book Group.

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Starting your own Book Group

Starting a new group from scratch is always risky. Generally, if you are the person who started the group you will automatically fall into the role of group leader and organiser. Before you begin, think about whether you are ready to take on this responsibility.

First you need to decide if you want to form a ‘private’ group or to start a group within an existing organisation which runs book groups such as the CAE (Centre for Adult Education) in Victoria. If they don’t already have one running, your local neighbourhood house might allow you to form a group under their auspices.

Your next task will be to recruit the members. You have two choices here: 1) recruit from your existing circle of friends and colleagues, or 2) advertise publically. Both methods have their pros and cons.

• If you recruit from your existing networks you may be restricting your opportunities to meet new people and expand your social circle. At the same time, as we tend to move in circles of people very much like ourselves, our group may lack intellectual and social diversity. However, you have the advantage of knowing your recruits and choosing people who will fit well into a Book Group. As time goes on friends of friends may join the group and bring in some diversity.


• Advertising publically is a way of introducing diversity into your Book Group, and ensuring you meet new people. However, it does leave you open to inviting into your group people who might prove to be difficult or disruptive. If you decie to advertise, choose carefully where you place your advertisement and how you word it. If problems do arise, you may need to establish some mechanism for asking people to leave. Unfortunately, all too often, the only way to get rid of difficult people is to fold the group altogether. 

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Where to meet

If the book group is organised by a library, community centre or bookshop, the venue will most likely be on those premises. However, ‘private’ Book Groups are free to choose their venue from a variety of possibilities:

• A member’s home.
• Vary rarely a group might always meet in one member’s home as it is in a central location, or because the member is housebound, or might be the only one who lives alone.
• More often the meetings are rotated around all of the members’ homes in turn. This spreads the responsibility around the group. However it also puts a burden on the members’ shoulders to ready their house, deal with the rest of the family, and provide the catering. In some groups, catering can become a competitive sport.
• If you do choose to meet in members’ homes ensure that members are not pressured into inviting the group into their home, allow for last minute changes if circumstances arise, and make sure the cost and responsibility for catering is shared equally.


• A bar or café
• Meeting in a bar or café is very popular. The group may choose to always meet in the same venue, usually chosen for its central location. Alternatively you may choose to go to a different venue for each meeting.
• When choosing a bar or café, be sure to choose one that does not have loud background music or bad acoustics that prevent you from hearing each other.
• The group can also choose whether to share a meal at the venue or only buy drinks. Sometimes a group will only buy drinks throughout the year, but might have dinner together to mark the beginning or end of the year.
• Venue owners are usually very accommodating to Book Groups, welcoming a large group and regular business.
• Be aware that a lively Book Group discussion might get very loud and disruptive. Where possible arrange for a table away from other patrons.


• Libraries or Community Centres
• Even if yours is a ‘private’ Book Group, you may be able to arrange to meet in your local library or community centre. Enquire with the centre management or librarian about meeting rooms and available times.

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When to meet

The first decision to make is how often the Book Group should meet. The norm is monthly. This allows the members ample time to acquire and read the book. Some groups might choose to meet every two months. Meeting less or more often than this would be difficult to maintain.

Some groups might meet at a regular time, for example the second Tuesday of each month. Keeping to a regular time such as this allows busy people to fit the meeting into their schedule, or to organise other family members. Some groups fix the date of future meetings from month to month. Whichever method you use, it is not advisable to change meeting times too often. If the time is changed to accommodate some members, more often than not an equal number of members will not be able to make the new time.

The next decision is at what time the group should meet. As most members of ‘private’ groups are working, they most often meet in the evenings after dinner, say around 7:30pm, or on weekends, say for Sunday brunch. Libraries and community centres usually hold meetings during working hours but may also organise evening or weekend meetings. Workplace groups may meet at lunch time or straight after work.

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Selecting Books

The choice of books to be discussed by a Book Group is vital to the success of the group. There are two sides to selecting books:

• How the books are chosen
• Which books are chosen

How the Books are Chosen

In the case of library or community centre book groups, the books may be chosen by the co-ordinator of the group. Groups run by an educational institution might have their own methods of choosing books. In Victoria, CAE provides books to their member groups together with comprehensive discussion guides. Groups may choose from an extensive list of books. However, depending on availability, they might not always get their selection. 

‘Private’ Book Groups can develop their own way of choosing books. Whichever way they choose, it is advisable to choose a book at least two months before the meeting in which it will be discussed to allow plenty of time for the members to acquire and read it.

Commonly used methods for choosing books are:

• The Democratic Process
• In this system a whole meeting at the end or beginning of the year may be devoted to choosing the books for the year. Each member might bring a selection of two or three books to the meeting. The group then votes on which of those books will be discussed. A complete schedule may be drawn up for the following year, or one book at a time may be chosen from the agreed list for a future meeting.
  
  
• Personal Choice
• In this method each member of the group takes a turn choosing a book for one meeting each year.
   
• Best Sellers
• The group may refer to a list or shop display of best sellers or favourite books and choose a book for their next meeting or for the year’s meetings. Alternatively the group may join a mail order Book-of-the-Month club and choose books from their catalogue.
  
  
• Media Book Club Choices
• The Book Group may choose a particular book club from the media, for example The First Tuesday Book Club, or an online book club, and follow their selections.
  
  
• Reading and Sharing
• The last possibility is not to choose a book at all, but to invite the members of the group to discuss whatever they’ve been reading since the last meeting.
• Alternatively, members can bring a recommended book to the group and swap with other members or place it in the group’s ‘book basket’ and then discuss it at a future meeting.
• Either of the above can be incorporated into a monthly book discussion program.

It is then up to the members to acquire the book in time for the meeting, and, of course, they can choose between buying the book and borrowing it from a library. Be aware that if all the members of the group live in one area their local library might not have enough copies to go round, so members might have to make arrangements amongst themselves to ensure everyone gets a chance to read the book.

Alternatively, libraries might have group sets of books which have been used by their own Book Groups and may be available to the general public.

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Which Books are Chosen

The quality of the books discussed is vital to the success of the group. It is important that the book has some substance so that it lends itself to thought and discussion. Although it is important to take into account your group’s likes and dislikes, it isn’t necessary to choose books that everyone will like. Often the best discussions come out of books the group disliked. A discussion which consists of everyone stating simply that they liked the book isn’t much fun!

Some Books Groups may choose to focus on a particular theme or genre, however most groups prefer to choose their reading from as wide a range as possible. In either case the same principles apply to choosing books to discuss.

• Members’ Choices
• When suggesting a book for the book group, it is best to recommend a book that you have read and been affected by. Remember, just enjoying the book isn’t enough. Did the book leave you thinking long after you put it down? Were you eager to tell your friends about the book? Did the book open up new ideas and areas of knowledge for you? And if the other members of the group don’t love your book as much as you did, don’t take it personally. Measure the success of the book from the quality of the discussion that came out of it.
  
  
• Book Reviews
• Book groups may choose books based on reviews and recommendations in newspapers and magazines. Sometimes such a selection works well, but it isn’t always the case. Often reviewers have a literary bent and recommend books that are worthy, but uninteresting or incomprehensible. Best-sellers are sometimes shallow and leave little to discuss. A common phenomenon these days is books written especially to appeal to Book Groups, and even about Book Groups. One or two such books a year might be interesting, especially if they broaden the group’s range. However it might be wisest not to choose the whole year’s reading on this basis.
  
  
• As Discussed Previously
• Another source of recommendations would be Book Groups in the media, ie on radio, television and online. Since the books are discussed by several people you are more likely to get a well rounded view of the book and be in a better position to judge whether it is a good selection for your Book Group. The downside is that your group may be unduly influenced by these previous discussions.
  
  
• Non-fiction
• While most reading in Book Groups is of fiction, non-fiction books can also be engaging to read and engender lively discussions. Most Book Group members might find scientific and technical books hard going, but books of memoir, biography, history, true crime, travel, reportage, essays, social commentary and popular science are amongst those your group might enjoy. However, in choosing non-fiction it is best to keep your group’s beliefs and backgrounds in mind and not choose books which might cause arguments rather than discussion.
  
  
• The Classics
• While most of the books your group chooses may be recent releases, an occasional Classic should not be ruled out. These books have passed the test of time and provide great insights into not only their own era but the human condition in general. Don’t be put off by the experience of reading the classics in school. As a mature reader you will appreciate them much more than you could have as a reluctant teenager. However, given the constraints on our time these days, it might be best not to choose the longer books.
  
  
• Genre Fiction
• Genre fiction, eg science fiction, romance, historical fiction etc, should be approached with caution. Often books in these popular genres are not substantial enough to engender much discussion. Or even if the book is substantial, members of the group might dislike the genre in general and therefore fail to appreciate the book. When choosing books in these genres make sure they are books of substance with a wide appeal.
• At the same time, a Book Group might sometimes choose to devote a meeting to discussing not one book in a genre, but the whole genre or sub-genre itself eg Jane Austen spin-offs or chic lit. While on their own these books might not provide much substance, as a class of book they can engender an interesting discussion.

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Running Discussions

As discussed earlier Book Groups have a social aspect as well as an intellectual. When running a Book Group meeting, therefore, it is important to maintain a balance between these two sides. Members will feel dissatisfied if they don’t get a chance to chat and catch up with their friends. On the other hand they will also get frustrated if they don’t get a chance to discuss the book they put so much effort into acquiring and reading, or to express the ideas the book engendered.

It is therefore a good idea to structure meetings to allow time for both aspects. Perhaps a half hour can be allowed before and/or after the formal book discussion for socialising.

The actual discussion of the book can take several forms. Many groups will develop a formal structure to ensure a comprehensive discussion to which every member can contribute. Other groups prefer a freer, unrestricted discussion format. As noted earlier, some groups might decide not to discuss a particular book, but their recent reading in general. Some groups might incorporate a general discussion into a meeting that focuses on a particular book. Generally the larger the group the more structured it might have to be.

Discussion formats may take the form of:

• One member researches the book, makes a presentation and then leads the discussion.
• Each member in turn is asked to express their thoughts on the book.
• One member is nominated to prepare a set of discussion questions which the group works through. Alternatively, each member brings one or two questions to the meeting for discussion. In both cases it’s usually most productive to circulate the questions among the membership before the meeting. 

Whichever format your group prefers, ensure all the members feel comfortable with it. It is no use trying to impose an unpopular format on the group. It can stifle discussion and force some members out of the group. Make allowances for shy or busy members who might not feel able to give a presentation or lead a meeting.

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Discussion Questions

With the world wide success of the Book Group movement, you will usually be able to find a set of discussion questions on your chosen book online. If a general Google search does not succeed in finding reading guidelines, try the book’s publisher’s website. Most publishers have realised the value of the Book Group movement to their sales and cater accordingly. However, don’t feel restricted by published questions. Adapt or add to them to reflect your own reaction to the book, or your group’s particular viewpoint.

If you prefer to write the questions yourself, you might start by looking at an existing set of questions for that book or one similar to act as an example. Remember, the questions are there to stimulate discussion, not test the members’ memory or knowledge of the book. Neither should the questions call for a right or wrong answer. All the members should feel that their opinion is valid, no matter how much it may differ from the discussion leader’s.

Discussion questions should be open questions which generally begin with ‘which, what, when, where, why, how’. ‘Yes or no’ questions should only be used if the answer is a matter of opinion and so will engender discussion.

Many First Edition books have Extra Materials especially designed for Book Groups. See the full list at Resources For Book Groups.

If you’re still stuck, the following set of questions can be applied to or adapted for almost any book:

Discussion Questions for Fiction

• What was unique about the setting of the book and how did it enhance or take away from the story?
• What specific themes did the author emphasize throughout the novel? What do you think he or she is trying to get across to the reader?
• Do the characters seem real and believable? Can you relate to their predicaments? To what extent do they remind you of yourself or someone you know?
• How do characters change or evolve throughout the course of the story? What events trigger such changes?
• In what ways do the events in the books reveal evidence of the author's world view?
• Did certain parts of the book make you uncomfortable? If so, why did you feel that way? Did this lead to a new understanding or awareness of some aspect of your life you might not have thought about before?

Discussion Questions for Nonfiction

• What did you find surprising about the facts introduced in this book?
• How has reading this book changed your opinion of a certain person or topic?
• Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he or she achieve this?
• If the author is writing on a debatable issue, does he or she give proper consideration to all sides the debate? Does he or she seem to have a bias?
• How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

(from Book-Club-Resouces.com )

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Organising the group

Book Groups are informal structures so there are generally no formal requirements for running them. However, they do need some organisation if they are to function effectively. The group should have a convenor who acts as a communications hub and keeps track of the meeting schedule. This role could be divided between two people, or circulated from time to time.

The convenor should:

• Communicate with all members of the group. As this is usually by email, she should have everyone’s email address preferably on a Distribution List so she can easily ensure all members get every communication.[Consult with your group whether they are happy to allow their email address to be seen by the other members of the group. If not ensure emails are sent with the email addresses being entered under BCC (blind carbon copy) rather than TO or CC.]
  
  
• Ensure she has everyone’s home and/or mobile telephone number in case last minute communications are required.
  
  
• Where meetings are held at members’ homes, have their home address and telephone number.
  
  
• Keep a record of the group’s meeting schedule, namely the dates, venues, books for discussion and member leading the discussion.
  
  
• Circulate discussion questions before the meeting, and/or, where required, collate discussion questions.
  
  
• Where meetings are planned a year in advance, write up the schedule and circulate it.
  
  
• Where a democratic process is used to select books, receive all nominations and hold the election.
  
  
• Where meetings are organised on a month by month basis, ensure all members are given the details of the next meeting. It is best to do this as soon as the details are decided, and to send a reminder a few days before the meeting.  

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Alternatives to book groups

• Online Book Groups
• If you can’t or prefer not to join a ‘real’ Book Group, you can always join a ‘virtual’ online Book Group. The internet is full of online book groups, many specialising in a particular genre or interest group. Finding your ideal group will just take a bit of online searching.
  
  
• The First Tuesday Book Group (ABC TV)
• Get your Book Group fix at home with the First Tuesday Book Club on ABC TV. Go to their website to become a member and get advance notice of books for discussion and panel guests. There you can also join in discussions and post your own book reviews.
  
  
• Film Groups
• Your group of friends may not have the time to read a book, but still want to get together for intellectual stimulation and social interaction. In such a case a film group is ideal. To ensure there’s something worth discussing, I would suggest you focus on art house cinema. Most art house cinemas would have a membership program you can take advantage of.

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Conclusion

While enjoyable, reading can be a lonely business. Book Groups make it a social activity. They not only extend your circle of friends they also stretch your mind. I would recommend joining one to every book lover.

If you have more to add to this article please email me on info@firsteditionbooks.com.au

Pauline Montagna © 2011

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