10 tips to make a great book club

(Updated 2/4/2022, 11/9/2022, 4/4/2024)

Books and books and books -- oh, yes!

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​You love to read, and you want to discuss books with other people who love to read.  You’ve decided to start a book club.  What’s the next step?
 
I started and conducted a book club that continued for over ten years.  Currently (2024), I’ve been participating in a book club for over five years.  
 
Try out these ten tips to make your book club great.

1.  WHO TO INVITE? 

​Fellow book lovers! 

They’ll need to be readers who have both the time to read and to discuss books.
 
Are you interested in creating a club that focuses on one genre of fiction (for example, mysteries) or several genres?  Do you want to include nonfiction selections?  You might find it easier to recruit members if the readers are open to a wider range of books.  On the other hand, some readers are keen to focus on their favorite genre. 
 
2.  HOW MANY PEOPLE DOES A BOOK CLUB NEED? 
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It takes only a few people.  Four or five regular attendees at each meeting might be just the right number for a discussion in your group.   Over time, the club can adjust that number to what works best for them.
 
Two of the biggest determinants of a club’s size are

• available meeting room space and
• opportunity for everyone to share their thoughts during discussions.

 
As the founder, take the role of coordinator to keep the group together.

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