book clubs - has anyone done this or is a member of one?

Zoe - what did your book club think of Northern lights - we had it for our November book and must admit that I couldn't take it seriously so gave up after three or four pages - and only one other person managed to finish it, she wasn't impressed - would be interested to hear from someone who has read it. We also did a Harry Potter for our very first book but I must admit that sort of book is not my thing at all.

I started one a few months ago made up of a few friends and friends of friends. No men, because one of the girls in the group had been in one with men before and found that they dominated and sometimes belittled others' opinions. We have done a variety of books - our first was Phillip Pullman's Northern Lights (a sort of older child's Harry Potter) and the most recent was Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel.

Inevitably talk strays from topic, but it's a good night out and I look forward to it

I started a book group 11 years ago, formed from local women - the basis for membership was we could all walk to our local high street for a cheap restaurant meal. It's still going strong, though we have had comings and goings when people move away and move in. We have a membership of 15 and about half that number turn up to the eight or so meetings a year. We have maybe 4-5 who always turn up.

In January we meet with book suggestions for the year, and I formulate the list, and the meeting dates, for the whole year.

We have a good time - we go with the flow when it comes to talking about the book and all the other 'stuff' in our lives. The book does get thorughly dissected, but so does the other 'stuff'!

It's a great way to stay in touch with your neighbours, and to get to know new ones.

The last group I was in was the opposite to yours, Lindy. Domestic topics were rarely discussed and after a year I knew no more about some of the members than I had on my first meeting! I think meetings were kept on track, because one person (usually, but not necessarily, the chooser) wrote a brief 'review' beforehand and so there was already some sort of framework to adhere to and biuld on. Otherwise it can get a bit aimless, ime.

It's an excellent idea to have books chosen by different people. It's almost impossible to please everyone and half the challenge is to read (and maybe even enjoy!) something that normally you wouldn't glance twice at.

Ugh, that sounds a pain Lindy. Perhaps a compromise solution could be suggested that only a percentage of the time at the beginning and towards the end is devoted to general topics (rather than specific experiences related to the book in hand)?

I know what it's like though - it's so easy to slip into a rant about your week when it's the first adult human contact you've had in that time!! You might find that some of the others are secretly relieved that less time is devoted to "offloading".

Also in a Book Club which sounds similar to the others; someone I had met a couple of times started in & invited me & some other 'like minded' women to join it. We started off with a long list of suggestions & then got down to one a month - it is difficult to choose something that everyone will enjoy so this year each of us will make one suggestion as 'book of the month' - agree, lots of wine necessary.

However, what puts me off (& I don't want to sound super intellectual!) is that it is very difficult to stick to just discussing the book, inevitably the discussion goes off and, hate to say this, but can end up on the same old child related issues (or TV programmes) that I am desperate NOT to talk about! Have talked this through with the 'organiser' but she & I are probably the only ones who think this........ anyone else have this problem?

Definitely think you should have a rota for book chooser. We don't in my book club, and the person with the loudest voice always gets to choose the book ? and it always seems to be the same type of book, too, which sort of misses the point. Do enjoy it, though. We started off with local mums, and now seem to have 2 men in it, too. About 8 seems a good number, as there are always one or two who can't make it on the night. Oh yes, and host supplies crisps & nibbles while invitees bring wine.

I belong to one- a friend recently started it. It's made up of her friends plus a few extras who've heard about it through other people. We didn't all know each other though. I really like it. We meet once a month in different houses and drink lots of wine. The hostess chooses the next book. You can choose anything you like. It works really well.

Bossykate, I've belonged to several book clubs and they are indeed great for sharing a love of books. They've been started by a couple of friends who have then advertised in the local rag or on noticeboards for members to start a group. One group chose a new book to read each month as well as bringing along their own recommendations, while another chose all the books for the year at a social event in early summer. They also ran a book swap scheme. It's definitely worth starting a group so go for it!!

I haven't done it but our local library was advertising a book club/reading circle I think, last time I was in there.

LOL yes I have exactly the same problem - read the last book in double quick time but didn't post about it. Have forgotten all except a broad outline of the plot and now have missed the next couple of months books because I've been too laz... um... hard at work preparing for Christmas, that's it, yes.

Ooo, another thing - obviously not read trash, but not too highbrow either. I do find some of the choices a bit too meaty to get through in my half hour before bed after dealing with a toddler all day. I usually end up rereading a page about 3 times to try and make sense out of it - especially if it's written in an accent! Hmm, difficult balance to get, isn't it? Probably the best thing to do is to get groupmembers to vote on the next month's choice.

I'm currently in Croydon, although we are looking to move closer to dh's job soon - probably looking primarily in Worcester.

Bossykate,

I would join your book club, if it was near. and once I've learnt to read again.

Can't offer much in advice but I would love to do something like this! Did try the Guardian Online reading group for awhile, but it's not the same as being able to chat face to face (and have the opportunity to meet other booklovers too - especially when you've got young children you can get a bit desperate for adult conversation and overcompensate somewhat!).

One thing I would say is not to swap books too regularly - the Guardian one was one book a month and that was just about right. Any more frequent than that and I would be hard pushed to get the book finished in time.