Reflections from Successful Programs

"It's exciting to have strangers getting together talking about literature. They then can build a common vocabulary through discussing the same book."--Nancy Pearl, executive director of the Washington Center for the Book at the Seattle Public Library

"The goals you set can be social or educational, or both. Social goals might include having fun with books and providing children with similar interests a chance to meet and interact with one another. Educational goals can include introducing children to genres they don't usually read as well as introducing adults to great children's literature."--Anna Healy, children's literature specialist and librarian at Skokie Public Library in Illinois

"Questions that allow your members to express their opinions work better than those that simply have them pull answers from the book (like a high school exam). Ask your group to back up their comments with specific examples from the book. Sometimes it might even help to play devil's advocate with the group. Take a stance that's different from the consensus of the group (if there is one) and force the members of your group to defend their opinions of the book."--ReadingGroupGuides.com

"Our shared book clubs are my most reliable links to the hearts and minds of my daughters, who are in the adolescent throes of growing up and growing away. And the reading group to which my husband and I belong is our reemerging link to each other, since our other attempts at adult conversation often get lost in the swirl of running our household, chasing our careers and parenting our girls. For each of my loved ones, reading the same book and then talking about it in a group helps us weave a coruscating thread of words and feelings that’s all the more real for being grounded in fiction."--Robin Marantz Henig

Remaining Motivated

Are the members still challenged by book selections? Selections should spark discussion!

Food is an important part of gathering; serve a treat that's related to the book. Just remember that the focus is on the book, not the food!

Timing can be everything--select books related to holiday themes or current events

Share the responsibilities for leading the discussion as well as bringing the treats!

Remember that it's a book club, not a book class, so have fun!

If the group has grown too large, perhaps it's time to create several smaller groups.

Remember why you wanted to start a club in the first place. If you've strayed from your original purpose, perhaps it's time to evaluate.