Book clubs - what's all the fuss about?

[MDM]

I'm thinking of joining one, bug have no idea what to expect, or what will be expected of me.... What exactly goes on at your book club?

but

At my book club we meet once a month, we all read the recommended book and meet in a little snug at a local hotel. We choose playing cards - person with lowest number gives their opinion first and so on, although everyone chips in to discuss what each person has said. I imagine other people meet in each others houses, and the discussion is maybe less 'organized'. Some of the people write notes on the book and read them out, - I just talk off the cuff - no one is expected to give a speech, just a few comments.
There are about 12 in my group, - all women.

I like it because it's a chance to meet people who share my interest in reading (we also have coffee and cake while we're chatting and go out for a meal together every so often - so fairly social!) and it gets me reading books I wouldn't have tried otherwise - and I've discovered some authors I really enjoy (and some I know I'll avoid like the plague in future ).

Our books are generally selected by the library, and tend to be relatively modern fiction, with the odd biography thrown in. Some book clubs specialise in say Victorian or crime fiction or whatever - so you should be able to find something that interests you.

I enjoy it very much, have made some good friends and read some good books.

Thanks Kurri. My gosh, do all 12 turn up at once?

I go to a group at work. It's only about half a dozen of us. Very informal. I love the chance to read something I'd never never normall get around to. We do not have a checklist of questions to ask and don't always agree but I like that. Cake is served and we decide on the next book. (I know other groups take it in turns to choose the next one but we just bounce ideas around until we find one we like!)

No - we don't usually get all twelve - probably nearer 8, - there are twelve of us on the club list, - but some people only turn up occasionally.

The library give us a list of books they have multiple copies of (also one of our members is blind so it has to be available either on audiobook or in a format she can download onto her computer), but we can request different ones from their list and they will try to get them. It's all very friendly - we disagree over some of the books and argue our case strongly, but it's fun, and there is cake

There are no expectations on anyone - sometimes people don't finish the book in time, or dislike it so much they give up, - doesn't matter - its more interesting if people have different views.

Sounds great! Hope my group is similar.