By Ashley Rands, Marketing
There’s nothing quite like sharing the joy of a good book with friends. Setting up a book club can offer an opportunity for meaningful conversation, personal growth, and, most importantly, bonding over a shared love of literature. Whether you’re an avid reader or someone looking to read more, starting a book club with your friends is a fantastic way to enrich your reading experience.
Get Everyone on Board
Before you dive into the logistics, it’s important to gauge your friends’ interest. Send out a group message or gather your circle of friends to discuss the idea. Keep in mind that not everyone may be as enthusiastic about reading or committing to a regular meeting, so it’s essential to find a group that shares your interest in books and is excited about the idea of discussing them. Consider the size of group, 4-6 is a great starting point. If you are struggling to find friends to join you then even a group of 2 works and eventually you can grow your bookclub.
Decide on the Book Club’s Focus
There are a lot of different ways to approach a book club, and deciding on the type of books you’ll read together will help set the tone and attract members who share similar interests. Here are a few themes to consider:
- Genre-based clubs: You could focus on a particular genre, like fiction, non-fiction, mystery, sci-fi, fantasy, or historical fiction. This allows members to explore books they might not normally pick up.
- Author-centric clubs: Pick an author and explore their works across several months.
- Themed books: Maybe you want to focus on specific themes, like personal development, diverse voices, or books about different cultures.
- Mixed genres: Keep things fresh by picking a wide variety of genres and topics to explore. Encouraging a mix of reading preferences can spark interesting discussions.
The key is to ensure that the book club’s focus is something everyone is interested in and excited about.
Set Clear Expectations
Having a clear understanding of expectations can prevent misunderstandings and help the book club run smoothly. Discuss and establish the following:
- Meeting Frequency: How often will the group meet? Once a month is typical for many clubs, but depending on the group’s reading speed, you can adjust this.
- Book Length: Choose books of manageable length. Remember, not everyone may have the time or interest to read long novels each month. But maybe your group is up to the challenge of lengthier books. It is a good idea to discuss if you are allowing long books or if you need to keep them under a certain length.
- Meeting Duration: Decide how long your discussions will last—an hour or two is a good starting point.
- Discussion Format: Will the discussion be structured with specific questions or will it be more casual? A good balance of both works well for most groups.
- Choose a Platform: Will you be meeting in-person for traditional face-to-face discussions? Or maybe your friend group isn’t local. Then you can use virtual meetings like Zoom or Google Meet. Perhaps you can try a hybrid approach and combine in-person and virtual meetings to cater to different preferences.
Be sure to communicate these expectations clearly so everyone knows what’s expected from them and can plan accordingly.
Choose the First Book
Choosing your first book should be a group decision. You can either vote on a book, or the organizer can suggest a few options and ask for feedback. When selecting the book, make sure it’s one that’s accessible and not too long, to encourage participation from everyone, especially in the first meeting.
Also, don’t be afraid to start with something light and fun to get the conversation going! A more thought-provoking or challenging book can be tackled later, once everyone is comfortable with the rhythm of the group.
Set Up a Meeting Schedule
Next, decide where you’ll meet for your book club discussions and when. Decide how often you want to meet, such as monthly or bi-monthly. Choose a time that works for most members. Once you have decided where and when you will meet, stick to the schedule. Consistency is key to keeping the book club active.
Make sure the meeting space is comfortable, quiet, and conducive to discussion. If meeting in person, snacks and drinks are always a good idea to keep the energy flowing!
Establish a Fun but Respectful Discussion Style
One of the main reasons for having a book club is to discuss the book in depth. But remember, discussions should be enjoyable and inclusive. Make sure everyone has a chance to contribute, especially if you have quieter members. You can rotate to have one person as moderator or take turns answering preselected questions. Remember disagreements are inevitable.
Encourage respectful conversations where members can disagree without interrupting or invalidating each other. Having a set of open-ended questions can spark conversation. These could be questions about themes, characters, plot twists, or how the book made the readers feel.
Need help generating questions? Check out bookclubs.com for discussion questions.
Enjoy the Process
Above all, remember that your book club is about enjoyment. The goal is not just to read books but to create a community of like-minded individuals who can share their thoughts, experiences, and enjoy the magic of storytelling together. Mix it up occasionally and have fun. You can host a theme night, have a book swap, attend author talks or book festivals. After reading a book, watch its movie or TV series adaptation and compare the two.
By setting up a book club with your friends, you’re not just adding another activity to your calendar, you’re also creating a space for thoughtful conversations, shared experiences, and lasting memories. So grab a book, invite your friends, and get reading! Happy reading, and happy book clubbing!
Interested in setting a reading tradition with family? Check out our previous blog: Cultivating a Family Reading Tradition
