does anyone here belong to a Reading Group?

[chocolateshoes]

Am thinking about setting one up where we live and wouldn't mind knowing how others are run eg how often do you meet? How are the books to be read chosen? How long do you have to read them? Do you meet at different houses each time? ermmmm...and anything else you think it might be useful for me to know.

Thanks!

I set one up 3 years ago. We meet at different peoples houses, about once every 6 weeks - I would prefer once a month but others can't make it so often. We take it in turns to recommend a book - either something we have read before, or something we fancythe look of. Whoever suggests the book leads the discussion - has a few questions ready to prompt the conversation flow. We always have a takeaway too, and a few bottles of wine, so it is a very sociable evening! We usually chat for a while, then talk about the book for an hour or so, then chat again. I really enjoy it

ooooh I hadn't thought about a takeaway!! What a good idea!

Have put a notice in our village newsletter for people to contact me if they're interested but want to get some ideas sorted in my head so i don't seem too blank when they call!

there is a book called how to set up a reading group, or something similar, has lots of book suggestions and questions in it. A friend has my copy at the moment, but I could send it to you when she has returned it if you like?

THere are loads of questions on the internet - I usually google reading group questions for x text, and get some good ideas.

It is useful to agree whether people can come if they haven't managed to read the book for some reason. It is ok if one person hasn't but if more than that haven't it can be difficult to keep the conversation on track!

Hope you get lots of interest, it is fun

That book sounds useful - what's it called - I could look and see if they have it in the library.

Good point about maintaining the conversation if people haven't read the book. I guess the takeaway gets eaten much quicker on thoses nights.

We meet up monthly,take it in turns whose house.The person hosting supplies the wine and nibbles.We meet at 8pm and book discussion starts at 9pm.Sounds quite strict but really just a guideline to stop us nattering about nothing all night.
We choose the books in July for the next year(like a school yr).Everyone brings along their suggestions and we choose from those,so usually 11 books a yr.We also do the rota then aswell.
We have enough members at the moment (10 or 12 I think) We only allow new members if the whole group is consulted first as we've had too many before.
hth

Thats a good idea - to draw it all up for the year ahead. So many things I hadn't thought about! Thanks!

Our library service (Surrey) holds sets of books for Reading Groups to borrow, loads of titles to choose from, and free to borrow on your regular library ticket. Worth checking out, to save everyone having to buy the book each month.
A friend's group takes in turns to host, and the host chooses the book.

Thanks Foxtrot - I hadn't thought of that. Will check it out.

I belong to two reading groups (I can manage to read the books because I'm a long distance commuter!). We have monthly meetings on (say) the third Wednesday of each month. One group (brand new) is going to source most of the books through the Library Service (our county council does a special service for book groups). One of the librarians came along to our start up meeting to tell us about the service and give some advice on setting up the group. We have chosen several months' worth of books from a reading list provided by the library service (they can't supply the most recent best sellers for book groups but can supply books that have been out a year or more.) The other group is run through my DS's old school - which provides the venue, free wine and crisps! Here we buy our own copies and make our own recommendations.
One tip from the librarian - don't get into competitive catering, stick to the glass of wine/fruit juice and crisps or coffee and cake/biscuits!

Right, so I really do need to get in touch with the library and see if they have anything or if the will help at all. A job for tomorrow I think!

I am in one. It's a fluid collection of friends and then friends of friends and assorted people who are interested - which means it's a different group from my usual pals so I like that.

We meet about every couple of months - for eg it's next week and the last one was in mid-jan. The person who hosts has been choosing the book. So far that's worked OK. I haven't liked any of the books yet but they have all been things I wouldn't otherwise have read so that's interesting too.

The first meeting was lots and lots of people and dissolved rather into general discussion. So since then we have been a bit more formal with the host suggesting some topics/themes/thoughts. Not too university seminar-ish tho!

We also drink wine and eat chocolate and crisps etc.

Thanks Clary. My message has gone in the local newsletter this week so it'll be interesting to see if anyone wants to do it. I'm glad I asked these questions as I wouldn't have thought of half of the stuff I've learnt on here!