A book club is fun and rewarding.There are a lot of things 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.You can serve snacks and beverages to your club members.Prepare questions about the book and keep the conversation going if you are leading it.
Step 1: You will be discussing the book.
Different methods are used by book clubs to choose new books.The book chosen for the next club 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 selecting a book, consider both fiction and nonfiction.
Step 2: Pick a meeting place.
You can host 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 might not be able to get one at the last minute.
Step 3: The time and date should be set.
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 a lot of ways to let club members know when the next meeting will be.You could call them with the information.You can send a mass email with the date and time.You could mail out an invitation with the relevant information if you prefer a more personal touch.
Step 4: Designate a leader.
There are no strict rules about how to designate a leader in a book club.Some book clubs don't have a leader at all.The book club meeting can be enriched with the selection of a leader.The conversation leader of the book club is the host.You can invite a subject matter expert 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 study questions for your book.
If you are both the host and the conversation leader, you need to have some questions about the book.Having some questions ready to ask the group can make your meeting more enjoyable even if you aren't the conversation leader.If your book club is reading a well-known book, you will probably 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: Club members should turn their phones off.
It's important to conduct an effective book club without phones.Everyone should turn their phones off before the meeting begins.When doing so, use a friendly tone.
Step 7: Club members can write down questions.
Everyone should have a pen or pencil and an index card at the beginning of the book club.They should write a question or comment on an index card.Pick up the cards before you start and then read them aloud to the leader.You can invite responses to the questions and comments.Club members who are less outgoing can share their thoughts with book club participants on index cards.This method is useful for facilitating discussion on controversial books.
Step 8: You should socialize after you discuss the book.
Some people like to use book club time to chat with friends, even though it should be fun.At the end of the meeting, have a designated social time.People who are there to discuss the book get the chance to do so.If a club member is talking too much, help them to focus on the book with gentle but firm directions.If someone is talking about their weekend plans instead of what they think of the book, say "Let's talk about the third chapter."Was anyone surprised by the decision of the main character?
Step 9: The book club should have a theme.
Simple recipes that reflect the cuisine of a particular region, country or setting can be found in the book.If the story was set in Italy, you could serve Italian wine and bruschetta.The theme of your club meeting could be emphasized by including some decor that evokes a character or setting from the book.You can purchase themed items that refer to Alice and her adventures in the meeting space if you read Alice in Wonderland.Help wash down the snacks by offering some beverages.The easiest options are wine, water, coffee, tea, and soda.
Step 10: Find out what snacks your group likes.
Ask the 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 have no snacks at all.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, you should introduce general book-related paraphernalia.If you have a book club in your home, there are many options for decorating the space with club-themed items.You may be able to get pillow covers or pillows that have images of books on them.You could put some bookish art around the meeting space, such as art printed on book pages or paintings of people reading.