Reading Group Choices presents some alternative ways to read this summer. Here are six ways to find a balance between your seasonal moods (and calendars) while staying connected with your group!
Summer: To Every Season There Is a Reader!
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Readers Answer Why They Love Book Groups
Our Readers’ 2017 RGC Survey Results Are In!
Why do RGC readers love book groups so much? We were curious, so we asked you in our annual survey. Check out the reasons why book lovers across the country love gathering and gabbing about their favorite books.
1. Camaraderie, Friendship, & The People!
Many of our readers reported how much they love getting together with similarly book-obsessed friends not only to discuss books but also share social time, food, and—of course—wine.
2. Different Perspectives
Whether it’s reading a memoir set in another country,
(Non-Book) Gifts for Book Lovers
Fill Your Gift List With Book-Loving Cheer
Sometimes it’s hard to find the perfect gift for readers. They can be particular. They can be finicky about the books they read, the authors they avoid, the editions they like best, whether they prefer hardcovers or paperbacks. And then there’s the most high-risk gamble of all: who knows what they already own or have read?
But not to worry. Reading Group Choices has made it easier to shop for the book lovers in your life this holiday season. We’ve compiled non-book gift suggestions below, from the edible to the wearable,
Icebreakers for Your Next (or First!) Meeting
Maybe your book group is meeting for the first time, or maybe you’ve had new members join (and others leave), or maybe you just want to inject some fun into your next discussion. Whatever the situation, an icebreaker activity can help!
Icebreakers can put members at ease with one another, making them feel more comfortable expressing their opinions and more likely to respect the comments of others. Plus, a bit of fun and laughter reduces awkwardness and the silences that can sometimes occur, especially at the beginning of a meeting or with new members.
Here’s one idea to get your next (or first!) discussion off to a great start: The Book Group Quiz.
Book Group Divas
Book groups often bring together a mix of personalities. That’s part of the fun! But sometimes one person, the group “diva,” has a lot to say and makes it difficult for others to participate.
In fact, our recent survey revealed almost 2/3 of reading groups have had a member who has dominated a discussion or prevented others from speaking at some point. Some of the groups let it pass, and the problem went away on its own. But the rest found it necessary to take action so everyone in the group could have fun and participate in the discussions.
Creative Ideas for Your Reading Group
A New Year Can Bring New (and fun!) Ideas
Add some extra fun to your book club discussions this year by introducing creative and playful spins to your book club approach.
Character Study
Dress up as your favorite characters! You can keep it simple by limiting costumes to just one item—a mask for The Queen of The Night or Old West hats for Lady Cop Makes Trouble. You might also want to open the evening with an impersonation game to see what book club member best embodies the book’s protagonist.