Reading groups share tips and creative ideas from their experience on how to keep discussions lively, fun, and interesting. Thanks to all for your thoughts and contributions!

“Our club of eight ladies ranges in age from 30+ to 70+, and it never fails to amaze us on the different insights on the same novel.  We understand that our ages lay great weight to our impressions and opinions but often the 30+ will agree with the older members while the middle members have a different take and vice versa ... in any case we enjoy our differences and are often enlightened by the insight gained during discussion.”
Jan, The Limestone Ladies Book Club, Kingston, Ontario

“We also get together for charity walks—hence the name Bookwalkers.  We like to add fitness and exercise into our social network/circle of friends.”
Colleen, Bookwalkers, Monroe, NY

“I have started making a list of the characters in the books and passing that out along with some discussion starters.  This is very popular and helps the discussion, especially for those who have read the book a few months before the discussion.”
Arden, Under 400, Murrysville, PA

“We usually use an item from the book (for instance a box of Aunt Jemima Pancake mix for Devil in the White City) to designate "speaker power." Whoever is holding the item has the "floor." It works well since we are usually polite with one another.”
Fran, Paige Turners, Brick, NJ

“If a member of the group has recently taken an exciting trip have the group read a book about that location and get the traveller to lead the discussion and share their experience.  For instance, one of our members travelled to Kenya, we read Out of Africa and planned appropriate refreshments.”
Anne, Page Turners, Duluth, GA

“In our December meeting, we have an ornament exchange, and try to bring ornaments related to books read in club in the past year.”
Kay, Don’t Spoil the Ending, Florence, AL

“Read fact, fiction, biography, classics—at least one of each type a year. Certainly broadens your view of writing.”
Dorothy, The Reading Circle, Easton, MD

“We are the GroupWithNoNameYet and we give out GWNNY awards after we vote for our favorate book author and character of the year.”
Toni, GroupWithNoNameYet, New Hartford, CT

”Our last meeting had 19 people (both men and women), and it was suggested that we each come with a question or a quote from the book to discuss.  The items were then put in a large bowl, and different people drew and read them.  This really facilitated the discussion and helped us to stay on track.  We also did take the time to discuss whatever else was on someone's mind. It was a wonderful idea suggested by one of the members.”
Jane, The Excelsior Book Club, Excelsior, MN

“Discussions often get sidetracked to conversations which have nothing to do with the book.  When this happens, somebody, realizing we're off subject, will say one word which means, ‘Let's get back on subject.’  Our chosen word is ‘Loretta.’  When this word is spoken, we all get a little giggle, and get back to our subject without anyone being offended.”
Jolene, Millennium Book Group, Boulder, CO

“We have over 60 members in our group and in any given month, about 30 will attend an afternoon or evening meeting. No more than 15 people can attend a meeting so we are ensured of a good discussion. At the beginning of each year, a group of 6 or 7 people volunteer to be on the Book Selection Committee. Each does some research from websites like yours, and other members' suggestions count very much. Each person comes with a list, and our small group reduces the list to twelve. This is not easy, but we laugh a lot! Then each month, we meet at a different member's house. The host will facilitate the discussion unless she prefers not to, in which case someone else will volunteer. The facilitator is responsible for doing some homework before the meeting, so we talk about the author's life and then she asks some questions, which we generally get from one or more websites. After each meeting, the book club president e-mails minutes to each member so everyone can learn about the book and the future choices.”
Rhonda, Valencia Pointe Women's Book Club, Boynton Beach, FL

“As the hostess, in the room of our home where the meeting will take place, we display one or several objects that "hint" at the book.  For example, when we read Water for Elephants the hostess had a circus tent figurine on her coffee table.  This always gets a good discussion going about the book, even before we get to the questions we have printed up.”
Chris, Innuendo Book Club, New Stanton, PA

“For years we struggled w/the number of consistent attendees. We then realized that their was the 'core group', but very few younger members. We sought out younger women. We were successful. We now have 30+ members with a 50-50 mix of 20-30 year olds & a mix of 40-60 year olds. The younger members bring in a fresh new slant on the books, with a much livelier discussion. Tip: Mix the age groups! Amazing how different our meetings are, as well as attendance.”
Syl, Talega Book Cub, San Clemente, CA

“I feel that 10 members is an ideal size for a book group.  As a leader I read the book the weekend before the meeting to have it fresh in my mind.  I come prepared with questions, but often I listen to where the discussion is going and ask questions that continue the discussion.  If the group becomes loud or unfocused, it is time to ask a different question to get their thoughts going in a different direction.”
Tamera, Southwest Reading Group, Arlington, TX

“We use a format at each meeting. 

"Socialize
Discussion qestions
Next book discussions
Choose next date
Socialize again

"We often fundraise for charities and sign up together for walk-a-thons so we plan for those at each meeting.  The charitable aspect of our group is very important to our members."
Colleen, BookWalkers, Monroe, NY

“I maintain a website for our bookclub. (www.bookenders.com)”
Kathy, Bookenders Bookclub, Lees Summit, MO

“We organized the BOOKIES when during lunch one day, two staff members at Lynn University were discussing a book they had just read. One said, "We ought to organize a book club."  That was all it took.  We began meeting the next month and now have just celebrated our third anniversary.  We have 24 members that include everyone from PhD's to hairdressers.  Our meetings usually average about 15 people.  Each person takes a turn at hosting.  As host, they select a book for us to read for the month and then that person conducts the discussion at the following meeting.  We precede the discussion with a dinner based on the book.  We have found that in this manner we read books we normally would not have chosen.  We feel this makes us more well-rounded readers.”
Jo, The BOOKIES, Lake Worth, FL

“Our book group name is The Final Chapter, 9 female members ages 60 - 76, meet monthly except Jan., Feb. as some go south for the winter.  Dec. is dinner out and this year we decided instead of a gift exchange, we'll donate a book to our local library.  July and August we meet at homes of members who have a pool and have a "pool party" discussion.  We read mostly novels, some bios, poems and once - short stories.  We  have wine and snacks during discussion and dessert & coffee after.  Sometimes we have food indigenous to the country or setting of the book.  We have had 4 author chats, which always adds a special touch to our meetings.”
Dot, The Final Chapter, Lock Haven, PA