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How to Prepare for Discussion

We receive so many suggestions for how to make discussions lively and interesting, and there is an enormous variety! But the one common element from the years of suggestions and experience is: a little preparation goes a long way!

In our annual survey, we ask groups about meeting preparation, and nearly 98% of groups prepare in some way before their meeting (and to be clear – that’s in addition to reading the book!).

We hope some of the ideas below, which come from reading groups worldwide, will help make your discussions even livelier. There are a few unique ideas too that go beyond the last-minute Wikipedia skimming on our phone (it’s okay – we’ve all done it!).

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When to Choose Your Books

Reading Groups tend to be an organized bunch, or there’s at least one of us in the group that is organized and handles the logistics. When to choose books might be a little less confusing than how to choose books, but it’s just as important.

In our annual survey we always ask our groups when they choose books, and we’ve received the same answers each year in the same order: Most groups (by a large majority) choose one book at a time to discuss, and a majority of those groups choose the book at the previous meeting or two meetings in advance.

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Reading Group Choices’ Little Free Libraries

RGC’s Little Free Libraries

Little Free LibrariesRGC partnered with The Little Free Library Organization on their National Build Day in Madison, Wisconsin in 2015. RGC employees and friends built a library, and then donated two libraries to two communities in Wisconsin.

One of the LFLs is at the family student housing community at the University of Wisconsin. It is located on the path between the student housing community and the K-5 elementary school so there is great foot traffic! It is well used and appreciated by children and parents from all over the world.

RGC received a special donation of books for this LFL from Lee &

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Literary Trick-or-Treat Locations & Pals

What if we could trick-or-treat at houses in our favorite books? What if we could trick-or-treat with our favorite characters?

 

Literary Trick-or-Treat Locations

The Ocean at the End of the Lane

Grand Hotel


The Ocean at the End of the Lane
: We’d tip toe down the lane, a little unsure what would be waiting for us – a treat or a trick.

Grand Hotel: One stop shopping! This hotel is filled with curious and interesting guests,

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Great Group Reads 2016

The Woman's National Book Association presents its list of Great Group Reads for National Reading Group Month

Reading Group Choices is pleased to share the Women’s National Book Association (WNBA) Great Group Reads 2016 list, part of their National Reading Group Month initiative!

This annual month-long celebration provides an opportunity for reading groups worldwide to celebrate their accomplishments and plan for the future. It’s also a perfect time to join or start a reading group! Every October, WNBA organizes events nationwide and announces an annual list of book selections for reading groups: Great Group Reads.

Great Group Reads 2016

Blackass by A.

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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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