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Original poster

Went to a book club for the first time.

80 replies

MsAmerica · 28/02/2025 00:55

I read bigly, but I'm spooked by book clubs, feeling shy, as I just don't feel I'm very articulate talking about books. But there was a meeting in an apartment complex near me, about Stacy Schiff's Cleopatra, which I adored, so I asked if I might come and just sit in a corner, as I was curious to hear their opinions.

They welcomed me very cordially, but the funny part was, no one loved it as much as I did, and several of them hadn't even finished reading it.

But they asked me to come back, though, which was nice.

OP posts:
Beebsta · 28/02/2025 12:00

MissyB1 · 28/02/2025 11:07

I'm jealous! I've been wanting to join a book club for years but they seem to be a closed shop in my town, you need to know someone who invites you to join. I don't seem to have the right connections - story of my life 😂

Mine was started by someone putting up a post on the local Facebook page. You could start a book club the same way!

MissyB1 · 28/02/2025 11:07

I'm jealous! I've been wanting to join a book club for years but they seem to be a closed shop in my town, you need to know someone who invites you to join. I don't seem to have the right connections - story of my life 😂

Beebsta · 28/02/2025 11:03

I joined a book club recently and it’s lovely. We spend about 10 minutes talking about the book & the rest of the time just chatting. Keep gong and at the next one just contribute one or two thoughts about the book.

Deathraystare · 28/02/2025 10:41

That's good @MsAmerica

I joined a book club and we are all best friends now! It is more a chance to meet up, drink tea and eat. we don't go into much depth which I guess is a bit pointless but we say if we enjoyed it or not.

I am meeting them all tonight at the theatre!

Mothership4two · 28/02/2025 01:48

Well done you for getting out there and going!

Book clubs come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes groups can be very serious about discussing the books, whereas others barely talk about the books and just want to have a general chat, and get out of the house basically, and all the variations in between with varying tastes. The one you went to may not be a 'fit' for you but if it is held in your building it's very convenient. I have noticed that when people express strong opinions about the book others may be swayed or not speak up if they disagree - so it's possible that some of the others at your meeting were more in agreement with you than it appeared. Funnily enough we have found that the best meetings are when people feel very differently about the book and the ones where we all agree are the most dull. We also have members who want to sit in and listen and maybe chip in occasionally. We're quite relaxed about DNF too.

I'm very shy too and when I started going to my book club I was quite quiet, but the more I went, and got to know the other members, the more comfortable I felt about expressing myself and now, several years later, I have somehow ended up running it!

Hope you continue enjoy it if you decide to keep going.

Cleopatra is now going on the 'to read' pile