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Tigerlily · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:55 am Post subject: Setting up a reading group

Have been asked a couple of times now for tips of starting a book group, so am posting the info here in case I'm asked again.

I'd say no more than 8-10 members as you all want a say and be heard. I ran a group last year with 14+ members and problems started. The younger people formed a clique, caused tension and ended up leaving the group to set up on their own. You don't want that happening, so keep the group small. Even 6 is a perfect number for a group.

I've only ever advertised online and it's been a great success. I set up an an online email address, and receive enquiries through that. We have 30 people on our waitng list! And they're being added practically on a weekly basis.

Here are the places I advertise:

Book Group.info - www.bookgroup.info

Penguin Readers' Group Directory - http://readers.penguin.co.uk/nf/shared/WebDisplay/0,,67967_1_2,00.html

PanMacmillan - register a reading group - https://www.panmacmillan.com/regi...displayPage%2Easp%3FPageID%3D2333

Structuring a meeting is easy. You'll probably need a notepad at the beginning, but meetings will soon run themselves and you'll be able to relax. You'll need to figure out a way to choose books. We put members' names on scraps of paper and pull one out at random. The person then chooses the next book, but isn't selected from the hat in subesquent months until everyone else has been chosen. That way everyone gets a chance to choose a book. We usually allow an hour to discuss a book. Some groups draw up a list of 6 months' worth of books, but we prefer an element of surprise. We do, however, choose book choices two months in advance so's everyone has ample time to buy/swap/borrow the books.

We find that we spend time catching up with one another, then discuss the chosen book for an hour, then chat about general things. Discussion never dries up as we all love chatting about books so much! We also organise group outings so spend time discussing those too. It'll be something your group can do as you'll enjoy your monthly meetings and want to do more together.

Here is some info about setting up a group that you might find useful:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/bigread/resources/meades.shtml

http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/conten...books_reading_group_feature.shtml

http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/campaign/readinggroupsadvice.html

http://readers.penguin.co.uk/nf/shared/WebDisplay/0,,67969_1_2,00.html

If you google setting up a book group, you'll find loads more advice.

By the way, some of them suggest presenting your chosen book by researching it etc., I tried this approach in my last group, but found that members didn't want to put in the work, they just wanted to relax and talk over drinks & nibbles. They'll do it if they want to but most people don't want it to be like school, so don't worry about putting too much effort into structuring meetings. No one's ever taken notes! I suppose people will do whatever feels natural, without prompting. Hope that makes sense. Ooh we often swap books with one another too. It saves on postage!

At the beginning when you're getting to know one another, we played some ice breaking games - nothing extravagant, just asking book related questions so's we got an idea of everyone's interests whilst having a bit of fun. We also played trivia quizzes, usually book related ones, as we all love quizzes.

Oh one last thing - at Christmas we have a party and secret santa book swap. We submit a wish list of up to 10 books, pair two members together (with them knowing only who to buy a book for), and pop the giftwrapped books in a pile on a table at the Christmas party. Or you could not bother with the wishlists, but get everyone to bring a giftwrapped book (a personal favourite), put them in a pile, and draw names from a hat with each member presenting their book to that person. This year we're doing the wish lists to ensure we get something we know will be appreciated. They don't have to be new books either. We also have a competition at the party, with a whipround, each person donating £2, used to fund a prize (book voucher, book journal etc).

Where is your group going to meet?

Also set up a Yahoo Groups page for everyone to keep in touch and organised with a calendar facility etc.

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Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

Mazzystar · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 11:22 am Post subject:

Hi Glynis,

Thanks so much for posting this. I have just set up a book group in Cheltenham ... we have 6 members just now (including me) ... and we had our first meeting on Saturday which went well.

Our first book we are reading is 'So many ways to begin' (appropriate no?!) by Jon Mcgregor. Will look at these tips for getting started over the next few months.

Thanks!

J xx
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My Swap List
Currently reading: Other people's children - Joanna Trollope
Challenge books read: 5

Tigerlily · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 12:54 pm Post subject:

Good luck with your group Jen. Glad I could be of help and glad I posted the info as can use the thread to swap notes, updates on our groups, what we're reading. Ooh will also start a book groups thread for us to post useful info as and when we come across it. Why didn't I think of this before?!

6 is a perfect number for your group Jen. How did you first meeting go? Where do you meet?
_________________
Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

annecater · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:05 pm Post subject:

Thanks for all the excellent advice Glynis. I'm hoping to set up a Book Group in Gainsborough, hopefully to start in October time.
My friend Caroline and I joined one in a nearby village that has been running for 3 years, the trouble is that the Library choose their books for them as they supply them. So, the 4 times I have been, I've already read 3 of the books, even the organiser had read the last two previously.
So it's a bit frustrating, although I've enjoyed the book chat, it seems a bit silly to travel 20 miles to be given a book I've already read!

Tigerlily · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:18 pm Post subject:

Sounds fun Anne - all the best with it, you'll love it

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Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

miranda · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:41 pm Post subject:

Just found out my school have a book group just for teachers. It is on on Tuesdays so I am going to go along tomorrow and see what it is like! Quite excited, it will be a nice way to get to know people.
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Currently reading: The Human Stain by Philip Roth
'Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.'

Tigerlily · Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 5:43 pm Post subject:

miranda · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 8:16 pm Post subject:

Hi Glynis

Went to the book group today, and it was cool. Very informal, just chatting this week as not everyone had read the book yet. This month they are discussing 'Half of a Yellow Sun', and next month it is 'The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox' - which is a nice surprise as I am reviewing that for this site too!
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Currently reading: The Human Stain by Philip Roth
'Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.'

Tigerlily · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2007 10:24 pm Post subject:

Sounds fab Miranda. Let us know how you all get on with Esme Lennox.

The book group I'm part of is reading The Sea Lady by Margaret Drabble at the mo, and our next book is Half a Yellow Sun.
_________________
Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

Daniela-26 · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 12:10 pm Post subject:

Does anyone know of a book club in the canterbury, kent area? Or anywhere remotely local?

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Reading: The Devil and Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho
2009 '1001 Challenge':

Tigerlily · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 1:27 pm Post subject:

Daniela-26 · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 3:41 pm Post subject:

I have as I read the thread you posted a while ago but there was nothing very local ~ I have emailed one about 30 miles away though

! Maybe I should set up my own one!

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Reading: The Devil and Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho
2009 '1001 Challenge':

Tigerlily · Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2007 10:15 pm Post subject:

Hope you find one more local

Have you tried the libraries?
_________________
Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

Daniela-26 · Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2007 8:19 am Post subject:

I hadn't thought of that! I've been signed off work for 2 weeks so I'll get on it...it'll give me something to do!

_________________
Reading: The Devil and Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho
2009 '1001 Challenge':

Tigerlily · Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 9:23 pm Post subject:

How to start a book group by Borders:

http://www.bordersstores.co.uk/bo..._group/how_to_start_a_book_group/
_________________
Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10

katey · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 9:10 am Post subject:

Myself and one of my workcolleagues are staring up a book group

Our forst book, to be discussed in December is The Shadow of teh Wind by Carlos Luis Zafron. We asked for everyone who was interested to nominate 3 books, the plan being the one with most votes would win. there was no overlap so I chose something taht had been nominated by someone else that was on my TBR!

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Katey
xxx

Books 01.09- 18 (5)
Books 02.09- 12 (4)
Books 03.09- 9 (1)
Books 04.09- 3 (0)
Books 05.09- 3(0)
Books 06.09- 8(1)
Books 07.09- 9(0)
Books 08.09- 10(1)
Books 09.09- 3(1)
Books 10.09- 9(1)

Target for 2009- 100 (15)- 16(2) to go!

Karen · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 11:36 am Post subject:

Sounds great Katey, hope it goes well.

I was in a quite informal book group before I moved - wives who enjoyed a glass of wine and a get together as much as a book!

We had a book picking session where we all brought along or suggested 2 books that we would like to read and offered them to the group to vote on. They were supposed to be books we had not read, but some did cheat a bit and propose books they had already read but as I said it was very informal and no-body minded. Each month the person whose book choice it was hosted the gathering. It was a great way to read something new and really nice to have someone to chat about the book with. Good luck with your new group, it sounds like fun.

eightlegs · Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 3:17 pm Post subject:

Sounds great Katey, good luck with it. Do let us know how it goes

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