I've been giving a lot of thought to starting a book club and I'm wondering if any of you are in a book club. If so, can you share some details on how your book club works. How often do you meet? How do you decide which books to read next? How many people are in the club? How do you handle food & beverage expenses? What difficulties have the group experienced? Do you use the discussion guides in the back of book or do you form your own questions? Is the club open to anyone, or by invitation only? I have a pretty good idea on how I want to structure my club, but I'd like to hear how some other's work.
"I'm a work in progress, God is not through me yet"
Posts: 1820
From: Tallahassee, FL (Originally Ft. Lauderdale, FL)
Re: Book Club
Posted on: 09/21/2008 04:24 PM
Pam, I would handle this like a business. Start out small, with no more than 4 of your closest friends. Start with a short book, and set the meetings for once or twice a month. Let each person bring one thing as far as food goes. Or maybe your friends can discuss it. After a few months, see how it works, re-evaluate, and then expand. That way you can test the waters and tweak it as needed. Or instead of someone's home maybe you can do a bookstore that is not too far for everyone to drive too, or the person who is closest to everyone. If you go to a local coffee shop that will eliminate expenses other than what people choose to pay for themselves. But on the weekend, say you know you are baking a cake then invite others to bring lemonade, or some other goodies. Anyways, have fun....i know some people may start with a book list first. Whoever is the creator has to be dedicated to reading the books as to lead the conversation...You can also do a 2 or 5 dollar/month fee and that can go towards food and drinks....But always keep it light....Don't want to do more eating than talking! Have fun!
Excellent advice Bumble. I think a book club is a wonderful idea. I personally don't belong to one, but would probably participate if it presented itself.
Delight yourself in The Lord & He will give you the desires of your heart!Ps 37
Posts: 1885
From: Maryland, Florida after we're married!!
Re: Book Club
Posted on: 09/22/2008 12:16 PM
I've been dying to start a book club, but just didn't know how to go about doing it. I'll wait until I move to Florida though because I do plan on slowing myself down a bit.
The way I envision my club is that it would meet once a month and we would take turns hosting at each others house. I would like for it to be structured but not so much that it isn't fun. For me this would be more of a social gathering where we happen to discuss a book instead of some very deep literary discussion where we just happen to be serving food and drinks. I really want it to be something my friends look forward to each month. I'm thinking at each meeting we collect about $10-$15 from each member and that money will go to the hostess for the next month to buy food and beverages. I'm thinking in the first meeting we can come up with a list of books we want to read, place them in a jar and whoever turn it is to host next can draw the name of a book from the jar. I'm thinking the host can pick something from the book as the theme for her "party", for example if a character in the book went to Jamaica then the hostess can plan for a Jamaican theme. I really want it to be fun. Alot of my friends read books in our spare time but we never really discuss them other than to tell the other that is was good or ask to read it when the other is done with it. I'm just thinking of something different we can do to get our "me" time in while enjoying each others company.
"I'm a work in progress, God is not through me yet"
I actually am a member of a very successful book club. We have books planned far in advance. Currently we know the books we are going to read and the dates of the meeting up until January. We meet every month and each month a different lady host the book meeting. We have created a database with everyone's name on it. About 2 weeks before the book club an email is sent out asking everyone to RSVP and let them know if they are bringing guests to the meeting. The person that hosts takes care of all the food or may partner up with a couple of people to get all the items necessary for the book club meeting. The menu is sent out with the RSVP email. Each person that comes to the book club has to bring $5 as reimbursement for the food and using that person's home. Once at the meeting if it's your first time and you want to join, just ask to be placed on the email lists and you can start coming. We've had everything from 10 to 35 women at any one of the meetings. It's GREAT fun...the host chooses if they will use the questions from the back of the book, make up her own, or use a combination. We have a "moderator" to keep the meeting on track because you KNOW how a bunch of women can get discussing things.."out of control"!...lol But like I said I enjoy it every month. It's very well organized and it seems to work, the book club is growing so much we might have to look into having them at a different location!! Good luck with yours...if you have any more questions let me know!
35 people, WoooW !!! I was thinking much much smaller, something like a max of 10, maybe 15. Thanks for sharing how yours works, sounds pretty organized. Love the rsvp concept but i think as hostess I would want my money for food and beverages upfront. If planning a wedding teaches you nothing else, it teaches you that just because someone rsvp's, doesn't mean they will show. Girl if I cook/supply food for 35 females and only 15 show, well we will be talking about much more than that month's book believe me...LOL I'll definitely use you as a resource if I have any questions. Thanks!!!
"I'm a work in progress, God is not through me yet"
I see what you mean....but somehow it always seem to work out. I just joined earlier this year and it has not been any complaints or any other drama with food or anything for that matter. Once you get it working with the right people you will have a blast! I feel you on getting the money upfront though....
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