I am part of a neighborhood book club now, its a blessing, as I always wanted to join a book club, but was never able to.
All the book clubs I knew were farther from home, so going to attend on a weeknight after work and after taking care of the dinner for the family, always seemed like a fantasy. I know there might be so many moms out there who are like me. Once I am home I don't want to go anywhere if not necessary.
Since my book club is in the neighborhood, so very close by. Its a small group of 8 ladies. We keep on trying to encourage more ladies to join often. Our starting member is retired as an English teacher, she keeps the schedule and keeps track of suggested books. Books and hosts are decided 3 months in advance, so people have time to buy books and read. Its so interesting these days to see the technology we have some of us do Audiobooks, some use Kindle some read real books some of us also use libraries to loan the books, since all versions are available in libraries these days.
Many a times there's a member or two who has not read the book or was not able to finish it. We still like them to join and participate in our discussions. As they tell us where they lost interest or why they were not able to get into the book. My realization as I listen to lot of books while commuting to and from my work. Its easier to finish a book when you are listening, even if you are not fully into it. I love our book club meetings as the discussion starts with the book, and the author. We also talk about similar experiences related to real life. Story takes a different meaning to some people. sometimes my perspective changes to the story after the discussion.
Another thing that I like about the book club, they pick the books that I would have not picked usually. So its like a surprise to unfold and finish. We have read many historic fiction books. Its fun to discuss the books that has a movies related to the story. Discussing old times with new times, old trends with new trends. Some books are from different countries. We had deserts from that country. Thanks to the internet availability we look at the pictures of that time periods of the places mentioned in the books.
Any one who's motivated enough to setup a book club I can suggest some ideas to keep it simple
- We meet once a month with Wine and dessert (Host Provides)
- We get to know our neighbors
- Its fun to look at our neighbors homes, so differently and beautifully decorated
- everyone takes turn in hosting the book club.
- We are planning on including guys to the discussion as well, not sure how it will change our discussions of if it will change anything at all.
- Host also leads the discussion doesn't have to be the host, but we want everyone to have this option.
- Find Pictures of places mentioned in the book (Last book we read was about a trail, one of the members marked the map to show the trail)
- Find food from that country
- Find books from different cultures and talk about them
- There will always be some books that no one will like, its ok
- Find interesting facts about the book and the author (available on internet)
- Find interesting quotes from the book (available on internet)
- Find interesting questions to discuss (available on internet)
