Book Clubs and Forming Your Own Book Group

Starting Your Own Book Group

Reading books has always been a popular way to spend time, relax, and increase your learning. Emily Dickinson said, "There is no Frigate like a book to take us lands away."

Many people are no longer just reading by themselves but are interested in forming book discussion groups. The following information may help readers who are forming a new group or veteran book group participants.

Forming a Book Group

Reading Group Choices (resources to enhance the shared reading group experience)

Getting Started - Before (or at) your first meeting, discuss:

  • When, where and how often your book group will meet
  • How long each meeting will last
  • Whether you will serve refreshments
  • The role of the leader (or if you will have one)
  • Who develops the discussion questions
  • What types of books will you read and discuss

Selecting Titles to Discuss

It is good to select a list of your group's books well in advance. You don't want to have to spend time at each meeting deciding what to read next. Remember to pick books with a lot to discuss -- not just a 'good read.' Look for books with complex characters who are forced to make difficult choices under difficult situations.

Want to use library materials? Select a title from one of JMRL's Book Club Kits and get 10 copies plus discussion questions.

 

Where to Locate Discussion Questions

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Literary Reference Source
Information on authors and books including book reviews and literary criticism

Join a Book Club at JMRL

JMRL hosts a wide variety of book clubs for all ages. Here are a few that are coming up. To find the complete list of book clubs meeting at JMRL, check the calendar.