Basic Ground Rules

Members who haven’t read the book
Come anyway. Not everyone can finish every book, but non-readers may still have valuable insights.

Disagreements about the book
Be gracious! There is no one way to experience or interpret a book. In fact, differing opinions are good.

Members who prefer to socialize
Be gentle but firm. Insist that discussion time be limited to the book. Some clubs hold book discussions first and invite "social members" to join afterward.

Dominating personalities
Never easy. “Let’s hear from some others” is one approach. Some clubs pass an object around the room; you talk only when you hold the object. If the person continues to dominate, a friendly phone call (never e-mail) might work. If all fails, sometimes they've just got to go—for the good of the club.


Meeting Format

Allow 2 to 2-1/2 hours per meeting
• 30-45 min. — social time (eat, drink, be merry)
• 15-20 min. — club administrative matters
• 60-90 min. — book discussion

Establish a schedule that works for everyone and try to stick with it.


Holding the Discussion

With a leader
• Appoint a club member—whoever selected the book
  or the person who is hosting. Some clubs have one
  member who enjoys leading all discussions.

• Invite an outside facilitator (English teacher or
   librarian), paid or unpaid.

Without a leader
• Take turns going around the room, allowing each
   member to talk about his or her experience reading
   the book.

• Hand out index cards. Ask everyone to write a
  question or observation; then select one or more to
  discuss.

Use LitLovers Resources
• How to Lead a Discussion —tips, generic questions
• Read-Think-Talk About a Book —a reference chart
• Readers Guides —specific discussion questions
• LitCourses —guaranteed to make you smarter!

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Selecting your books—Do's & Don'ts

Don't read favorites
Reading a book someone "just loves" can lead to hurt feelings—like inviting people into your living room to critique your decor. Ouch! Best to stay on neutral territory.

Do establish limits
Set some basic ground rules up front, so you don't get into misunderstandings as you go along.

• Some clubs limit selections to paperbacks—easier on
  the pocketbook; others read both soft and hand-   cover.  

• Some clubs limit page number—400 pages is a
  healthy read for a monthly assignment. Others enjoy   longer reads at 700 pages—or shorter at 300. You
  can also split up longer books into 2 sessions.
  Nothing wrong with that.

Don't choose for the whole year
It ties you into a rigid year-long schedule with no flexibility to add exciting new works you might learn about. And it's unfair for those who miss that one meeting.

Do choose 2 or 3 at a time
This allows members to read at their own pace. It's especially helpful for those who travel or miss a meeting or two.

Do mix styles and genres
A steady diet of one thing can be dull, dull, dull. Try interspersing heavier reads with lighter ones; or fiction—current and classic—with nonfiction, poetry, or drama.

Do explore themes
Focus on a specific author, travel journals, childhood memoirs, books on food, or a literary issue (family, loss, working of fate). I know—this contradicts what I said above, but do it for, say, 3 months.


Ways to Select

Vote—All members make suggestions, followed by an open discussion, and vote.

Rotate—Members take turns, each choosing a book for a given month.


Finding Book Ideas

LitLovers of course.

• LitReads — book club favorites
• LitGuides — 800 reading guides
• LitPicks — our book reviews
• Featured LitClubs — ideas from other book clubs
   
Daily & weekly periodicals
The New York Times Book Review (every Sunday) is the biggie. But other periodicals review books, too: many local newspapers, USA Today, Time, Newsweek, U.S. News, People, Vanity Fair, to name some. My favorite is Bookmarks Magazine. Your library should carry it; if not, ask them to. Or pony up for your own subscription.

Libraries and bookstores
Check out your public library, local bookstores, and national book chains. Most carry their own recommended book lists or lists of what other clubs are reading.

Terrific Lists
You'll find winners of England's prestigious Man-Booker Prize, as well as lists setting forth what some consider the most important books 100 books.

• The Man-Booker Prize Winners (from 1969)
• Modern Library: 100 Best Novels
• The Guardian: The Top 100 Books of All Time
• Time: All-Time 100 Novels
• BBC: The Big Read-Top 100
• Harvard Book Store: Top 100 Books