Starting or Joining a Reading Group
Reading groups offer book lovers a wonderful opportunity to meet new people who share their interests, enjoy stimulating discussion about interesting topics, and best of all, read great books! Whether your group is an intimate one organized with friends or a large one run by professionals, the goal is the same—to meet other readers, share theories and opinions, and develop a more enriched understanding of the book.
Not sure how to get started? Read on for information about how to join a group or how to start one of your own, how to choose the best books, and how to run a successful group meeting with other readers!
GETTING STARTED
Interested in joining a group or organizing one of your own? Not quite sure how to do it? Here are a few tips to get you started:
- TRIAL RUNS: Not sure that a book club is for you? The best way to find out is to attend a meeting of an existing group and see what it’s like. Most local bookstores and libraries offer open groups that meet on-site on a regular basis and welcome walk-ins and new members. Ask at the front desk about existing groups—their themes, meeting times, and membership policies. Most likely you’ll find at least one that interests you, and there will be no pressure to join if you find it’s not what you are looking for. Or join a group online! Many online bookstores and book review sites host book discussions, often including live chats with authors.
- JOINING A GROUP: Interested in joining a group but don’t want to start one on your own? Again, your local bookstore or library is the best place to start. They often sponsor a variety of different groups which are open to the public, providing the location—and often the leaders—for group meetings. Many bookstores even offer discounts on bulk purchases for reading groups that register with their store, while libraries take advantage of the inter-library loan system to ensure that club members have access to book club selections. If neither of these options appeal to you, check their bulletin boards for private groups looking for new members, post a listing online, or contact your local church, synagogue, alumni club, or professional association—even if these organizations don’t have groups already, they’ll likely be able to put you in contact with other interested readers.
- STARTING A GROUP OF YOUR OWN: It’s easier than you think! All you really need are a few avid readers and a good book. There are no set rules. Reading groups can be single sex or coed and may vary in size. You may find that smaller groups (4-12 members) tend to provide the liveliest discussion and allow each group member to participate. Quite often groups are formed by friends—try calling a few of yours who enjoy reading and suggesting that you all read the same book. Then meet informally over lunch or dinner to discuss it. If that doesn’t work, post a notice at work, in your church, or synagogue; place an ad in the paper; or contact the local branch of your college alumni club or professional organization. We’ve listed a few good choices on our Cheat Sheet section.