You don’t need to pick any specific books to read right now, but that may help you form a goal about what you want the group to be.
A group of all friends can become very chatty, which can take away time from book discussion.
Say, “If you know anyone who would be interested in the group, let them know about it. ”
If you have any special conditions for joining, such as gender or age, note that too.
You can have the meeting in your home, but this may be awkward for people you don’t know well. Remember to contact public venues in advance and reserve space for your group.
The ideal group size is about eight to 16 members. You need enough people to start a discussion, but too many people can make the group too busy.
Your reminder can be a quick message saying, “Looking forward to meeting everyone Saturday!”
Incorporating some book-based games is helpful. For example, you can have people extend the end of novels or guess who said a quote. [7] X Research source
As your group goes on, you can keep things fresh by alternating meeting areas. Everyone in the group can take turns hosting at their home, for example. Give people who normally live further away an opportunity to drive less. Stick to the schedule during future meetings. When everyone knows what to expect, they can get what they want out of the group.
Ideas for books can come from group members, bestseller lists, or recommendations from other book clubs. Reassure the group members that they’re welcome even when they don’t finish the reading. They can still be part of the group and may still have something to contribute. Don’t be afraid to adapt the schedule as you go. Sometimes, you may need more discussion time on a previous reading. Consult your group members to come up with a plan.
The leader should bring in a few questions or discussion topics. Starter questions don’t have to be complex. A simple one is, “So what did you think of the book?”
It can be useful to have everyone bring a dish so one person isn’t stuck preparing all the food. You may also alternate who brings what by creating a schedule.
Examples of non-specific questions include: “What was the book’s message?” “Who did you identify with?” “How did the characters change?” “Why did the author choose this title?”
For example, ask the group about the book’s theme. If discussion is slow, say, “I thought what that character did embodied the theme” or “I really liked how the author expressed the theme by saying this. ” Explain what the character did or what the author wrote.
Ask them “What did you think of this part?” or “Did anything confuse you about the reading?”
