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How to Choose the Next Book to Discuss

There are so many ways groups can choose the books they will read, but how do you figure out what works best specifically for your group?

In our annual survey, which we send out to our reading groups, readers have listed a number of options for selecting books, and many groups said they had to try out a few methods before finding the right fit – kind of like Goldilocks!

Some groups might have members with busy schedules who don’t have time to host and/or prepare to lead discussion. Some members might be happy having the choices left to a committee so that they can just show up and participate.

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Reading Group Choices Interview with Ali Benjamin

One of our recommended books is The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin

Reading Group Choices talks to Ali Benjamin about her YA novel The Thing About Jellyfish.

While the setting took Reading Group Choices back to middle school memories (some fond, some not so fond), the issues and struggles were ageless. We found much to discuss about grief, individuality, friendship, bullying, and the different actions that can be used in place of words. And Ali Benjamin kindly agreed to answer a few questions for us!

Reading Group Choices: You have a really interesting background as a writer in how varied it is—nonfiction articles,

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Literary Costume Ideas

Here are a few costume ideas from our groups favorite books that’ll make you and your group look both spooky and smart this year.

 

New to the Scene:
Constance Kopp from Lady Cop Makes Trouble

Lady Cop Makes Trouble


The book
: Based on the Kopp sisters’ real-life adventures, Girl Waits with Gun introduced the sensational lives of Constance Kopp and her unconventional sisters to an army of enthusiastic readers. This second installment, also ripped from the headlines,

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October Spotlight

October’s Spotlight is The Loose Ladies Club!

Our group is called Loose Ladies. There are 7 women in the group and we take turns hosting a lunch, selecting a book and leading the discussion. Our group has met now for 3 years. We read classics, mysteries, bestsellers and the recommendations from Reading Group Choices which is an invaluable tool. I also won an audio book from Reading Group Choices Everybody Rise which our group has shared and thoroughly enjoyed.

This is a post made to Facebook after our last meeting: “Finally book club with the author.

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September Spotlight

September’s Spotlight is The Grant Book Club!

The Grant Book Club began meeting in the library just 3 years ago. We grew from a beginning of 6 to the 10 regulars we are today. Our group of ladies is multi-generational bringing a wealth of experiences and reading choices to the table. Monthly books range from current bestsellers to time worn classics. We have read Wuthering Heights and A Light Between Oceans, Ernest Hemingway and Fannie Flagg and much in-between.

Last fall we gathered for a murder mystery dinner party at a member’s home where everyone was assigned a character ahead of time.

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Tips for Author Skype Chats

A Few Tips for Successful Author Skype Chats!

1. Prepare questions for the author in advance of your meeting. You can use your own questions, and consider questions from Reading Group Choices and other sources too.

2. Meet 30 minutes prior to the Skype Chat so you can get set-up and comfortable, and ask each other any last minute questions.

3. You can choose to have a moderator with a loud clear voice handle the questions, or you can take turns asking questions. You’ll know what will work best for your group!

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