By Emily Mcquade, Public Services Librarian
April 18, 2025
Last year, I wrote a blog to encourage readers to join or start a book club. Book clubs are a wonderful way to connect with people, explore different perspectives, and get out of a reading-rut. But sometimes starting a group can feel like a herculean effort or, worse, your current group may be going through some growing pains. Winter Park Library is here to help. The library recently launched new Book Club Kits to make things even easier. These kits include 10 print copies of the selected book, 1 digital version, and a discussion packet with information about the book, author, and discussion questions and are now available for check out!
How to Start
Establish Framework:
- A little effort upfront to determine how you want the club to function and communicating that to your group will save a lot of time and frustration later. If the current system is not working, be open to trying other ideas. This is not the time for a one-size-fits-all approach.
- Is your book club focused on deep reading or a certain type of book, such as non-fiction? Are you open to discussing “fun” books? Make sure to be transparent and share this information with those you invite to join.
Finding Members:
- Do you envision your book club including only close friends or will you expand the group? I find groups with members from varying social circles are the most successful- book clubs are about connecting with people, right? If you are unsure how to do this, start with two to three friends and ask them to invite one or two people. Neighborhood boards, coworkers, and social media are also good places to source local readers.
- I encourage you to think about group dynamics: what is the maximum number of people for your group (I advise splitting the group into two if it exceeds 12 people) and what is the process of bringing in new members? Talk about it with the group and plan to occasionally reevaluate.
Expectations:
As we learned through accursed group projects in school, someone must eventually be in charge. The leader may pick books, host the meeting, and introduce discussion questions. Or they can simply be the person sending out the reminder emails. Either way, it’s advisable to alternate this position to avoid burnout as well as give other members a chance to share responsibilities.
Leader Expectations Group Expectations Read the entire book Make an effort to finish the book Come prepared with research and background info Be prepared to share and listen. Think about the "why" behind your opinions Keep the discussion on track Be respectful and self-censor Observe the flow of the conversation. Help quieter members get a word in Have Fun! Be honest with the leader about your experience with the group. Be the host (confirm location, snacks, book, ect.) Consistently attend and let the leader know if you can't make it
Meeting Planning
Location & Time:
Determine when your club will meet. Will your group meet in each other’s homes, restaurant, bar, coffee shop, library, or bookstore? I’ve even heard about “walk-and-talk” book clubs that meet in local parks. It’s advisable to pick a consistent day/time (i.e. the second Monday of the month at 7pm) and stick with it.
- Members can hopefully begin building their schedules around book club, which minimizes the scheduling back-and-forth or prioritizing some members availability over others. Alternatively, some groups prefer to pick the next date at the end of the meeting. Choose whatever works for your group’s lifestyle.
Picking the Book:
Methods vary. Some ideas include member interest (crowd source book ideas), host preference, award winners, curated lists, or even themes (such as British procedural mysteries or books featuring sisters). Groups may decide to rotate book-picking authority or have a collective vote on titles. The most critical thing is that it’s systematic and you have group buy-in. Everyone must agree on the process.
Give people enough time to source the book and read it (bonus points to those who use the library or independent bookstore). I like it when groups make their selection 2-3 months in advance so I can space out my other reading and get the book from the library without stressing about hold times. And don’t forget about older titles! It’s fun to read the latest best seller that everyone is talking about but the “hot” book from 10-15 years ago adds another layer of discussion: does it hold up, is it as good as I remember, etc.?
- It’s best to select books with unique characters, plot, and style for a varied and meaty discussion. Controversial topics may spark a lively conversation but please be cautious that it doesn’t alienate or exhaust participants. Consider the length and readability of books. If you meet monthly, it may not be realistic to select a 1,000-page book. Lastly, sometimes the book will be bad and disliked by members. That’s okay-- this often prompts some of the best discussions. But be careful that the discussion is about the book itself, especially if the group is mixed (i.e. avoid personal disparagements like, “anyone who enjoys this book is a moron”)
Theme:
When planning a book discussion it's amusing to think about the aesthetic, food and beverage, ambience, and even outfits. One of my groups recently read Ina Garten’s memoir and our host made a couple snacks from her cookbook, the legendary Cosmo (plus a mocktail), and everyone dressed in Ina’s signature black slacks, denim button down, and loafers. This makes readers think about the book in a tactile way and adds another element for discussion (the author knows how to make a deviled egg!)
Winter Park Library has a robust cookbook and entertaining book collection, both in print and digital to help with inspiration. Explore our non-fiction collection to help plan your next gathering.
- If meeting outside of your home, consider a location that aligns with the book (e.g., if reading a Joanne Fluke cozy mystery, have your meeting at The Glass Knife!)
Discussion:
Come prepared with 10 questions and let the conversation be organic. This isn’t a quiz. The questions are there to help prompt interesting exchanges so don’t be upset if your group doesn’t discuss all of them.
Ask open-ended questions. My favorite first question is, “What’s the significance of the title”. Other considerations when discussing a book are style, narrator, character, plot, setting, and theme. Don’t forget that questions can be both about the book itself or branch out into wider discussions about genre, author, etc.
- Leave time at the end of book club to chat about other things. This can be about other books you’re reading or excited about, shows you’re watching, commiserating about your kids college application process, etc. This enables your club to focus on the book while also strengthening friendships.
Bonus
Special Event:
- Many groups host a planning party or book exchange to celebrate that year’s reading. Consider scheduling a special speaker or activity to change it up; like watching a film adaption of a book the group read that year; or working on a "bookish" craft, such as making custom bookmarks or kindle charms.
Research
Finding a Book:
Winter Park Library's Top Shelf
Women's National Book Association
1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die - 028.1
Book Lust To Go by Nancy Pearl
Discussion Question Help:
Don’t forget, the library is here to help! Whether you want to check out a new book club kit, need help selecting a book, or gathering discussion questions, all you need to do is ask your friendly local Winter Park librarian.
Call 407-623-3300 and ask for a research librarian or email info@winterparklibrary.org