Hosting a book club is enjoyable.There is a lot you can do to make the meeting a success.Decide on the basics, like when and where the meeting will be, and what book your club is going to be reading.Provide drinks and snacks to your club members.Prepare questions about the book and keep the conversation going if you are leading it.
Step 1: Pick the book that you will be talking about.
Different methods are used to choose new books.The book chosen for the next meeting is usually decided during the prior meeting.Current bestsellers and books on the " 100 Best Books" list of a major periodical are good choices.When choosing a book, consider both fiction and nonfiction.
Step 2: You can choose a meeting location.
You can host some book clubs in your home.If you don't want to host the book club at your home, you can use a library conference room or a cafe.You should reserve a conference room well in advance of the book club meeting if you plan on hosting at the library.You may not be able to get one at the last minute.
Step 3: Put the date and time in writing.
If your book club has a regular meeting time and date, you don't need to set it.Let the club members know when the meeting will occur if the date and time of the book club varies.There are many ways to let club members know when the next meeting is.You can call each of them with the information.The date and time could be included in a mass email.You could mail out an invitation with the relevant information if you prefer a more personal touch.
Step 4: A conversation leader should be designed.
There are no strict rules regarding how to designate a leader in a book club.Some book clubs don't have a leader.The book club meeting can be enriched by selecting a leader.The conversation leader of the book club is the host.A subject matter expert could be invited to lead the meeting.If you are reading a book about the French Revolution, you could invite a local professor of French history to lead the discussion.The book club could choose a single leader who runs every meeting.Good book club leaders are often English teachers, librarians or authors.
Step 5: There are some study questions that you should look up.
If you are both the host and the conversation leader, you should have some questions about the book.Having some questions ready to ask the group can make your meeting more enjoyable even if you are not the conversation leader.If your book club is reading a well-known book, you may be able to find some study guides with questions in them online.If you are reading 1984 you might run a search like "1984 study questions” through your preferred search engine.If you read a book that doesn't have questions online, you can come up with some open-ended questions that can elicit thoughtful reactions from club members.
Step 6: The club members should turn off their phones.
It's important to conduct an effective book club without phones.Everyone should turn their phones off before the meeting starts.When doing so, use a friendly tone.
Step 7: Club members can write down questions or comments.
At the beginning of the book club, everyone should have a pen or pencil.Encourage them to use an index card.Pick up the cards before you start and then read them aloud to the conversation leader.You can invite responses to these questions.Club members who are less outgoing can share their thoughts with book club participants on index cards.This is a good way to facilitate discussion on controversial books.
Step 8: After you discuss the book, plan to socialize.
Some people like to use book club time to chat with their friends.At the end of the meeting, have a designated social time.People who are there to talk and think about the book get the chance to do so.Help a club member refocus their attention on the book if they are talking too much and wandering off topic.If someone is talking about their weekend plans instead of what they think of the book, say something like, "Let's talk about the third chapter."Was anyone surprised by the decision of the main character?
Step 9: The book club has a theme.
Simple recipes that reflect the cuisine of a particular region, country or setting in the book are what you should look for.If the story was set in Italy, you might serve some Italian food.The theme of your club meeting could be emphasized by including some decor that evokes a character or setting from the book.You could purchase themed items that refer to Alice and her adventures in the meeting space if you read Alice in Wonderland.To wash down the snacks, offer some beverages.The easiest options are wine, water, coffee, tea, and soda.
Step 10: You can find out what snacks your group wants.
Ask book club members what snacks they would like after deciding on the theme.Simple snacks like crackers, cookies, and crisps are popular if your meeting doesn't have a specific theme.Some book clubs don't have any snacks.Some leave it to the group member to bring their own snacks.Some people leave it to the host to prepare food.Before preparing a snack for a book club, be sure to ask about food allergies.
Step 11: There should be some book-themed decor.
If you want to set the mood for your book club meeting, introduce general book-related paraphernalia.If you have a book club in your home, there are many ways to decorate the space with club-themed items.You can get pillow covers or pillows embroidered with images of books.You could place some bookish art around the meeting space, such as art printed on book pages or paintings of people reading.