I
attend a monthly book club with a sometimes-large group of girlfriends. The size generally varies as some months more
people can make it than others. It’s
usually one of the only times I get out of the house each month, so it’s
something I very much look forward to.
It also allows for me to read books that I normally wouldn’t pick up for
myself and forces me to finish them so that I can participate in the discussion. This past month I attended a book club for
the book I read for our week three annotations, The Real Michael Swann. I
did not pick this book out, it was chosen by one of the other ladies (we rotate
picking the books) but it happened to fit in well with this class!
This week’s
book club started with a small socialization over the food and drink table, as
it normally does while we wait for all the members to arrive. Once everyone is there (or majority of people
– usually there are a few late comers) we start. We started this month on time at
approximately 7pm and gathered in the living room of one of the members houses. The house always rotates as well, so we’re at
a different place each month.
Our book
clubs are led differently each month, as the host generally determines how the
night will go. The host this month
decided to prepare a list of questions that she put into a jar for each member
to pick out and ask the group. She
started by removing a question and reading it to the group and waiting for the
other members to chime in their responses.
Then the person next to her would pick her question, and the same would
occur. If the question picker wanted to
answer the question, they were able to, however it was not required that they
give an answer. All of the questions
were based on the plot – some “what if?” questions, some “what did you think
about…” questions, but all of the questions were open-ended, no simple “yes” or
“no” answers could be given. Everybody
participated in the discussion because everybody read a question out of the
jar. Some of the ladies had not finished
the book, so they participated a little less than the ones who had read the
entire thing. This is also a common occurrence
at book club as most of the ladies in the club are working moms who find it
hard to finish a book in the allotted time period (and no judgment from anybody
else – finishing the book is not a requirement, just appreciated more). There are always two members who seem to speak
up more than the rest of us, and a lot louder at times, but I wouldn’t say that
they steal the spotlight of the club – they’re just more passionate about some
of the books we read. One of the rules we have for our club is that you can’t pick a book that you have already read. In the past, there has been some awkwardness where a person will choose their “favorite book EVER!” and a lot of people actually really disliked it. It causes a lot of tension during the club, and some people are generally afraid to speak up if they didn’t like it because they don’t want to hurt the book choosers choice. I really do like this rule and I feel that since enforcing it we’ve had more positive experiences during book club.
This month’s
book was completely different from the books people generally choose for the
club, which was a nice change for me because it was a really quick read, and a
thriller. (Two things I am always seeking out when choosing a new book). We read a lot
of non-fiction
books (one of our women is obsessed with World War II based books so those have
been chosen quite a few times) and a lot of cultural and contemporary
reads. I have to admit, I struggle to
finish a lot of the books for our book club because they are usually a lot
longer and more difficult than I am used to, but it opens me up to so many
books I would normally pass over.
 |
| Please not another WWII book, Violet! |
As I’ve
stated previously, book club is my favorite day of the month. I love that each month is a totally different
experience, due to different hosts and a variety of different material. I feel that attending a book club monthly has
helped me with my readers advisory at the library and has given me experience in
a lot of different genres I normally wouldn’t have picked out for myself.
Your book club sounds fun! Have you guys ever tried to pick a different genre each month? That way you don't have the same lady picking the same WWII books? Or maybe everyone has a list of genres and when it's their turn they pick one and can't use it again until their list is complete? It would provide more of a variety, even though it sounds like you have a bit of variety already.
ReplyDeleteThe list of genres is a really good idea - I’m going to suggest that!!
DeleteThat does sound entertaining! Since I started my MLS, I have had zero interest in participating in anything outside of my work and classes. But I think once I am completely finished in May, I may look at joining a book club that is not at my library. We don't have one but the library in the next town over in the county does a Books and Brews at a restaurant. I don't drink but the restaurant they meet at does have the best steak! I could at least go for books and beef :)
ReplyDeleteThe suggestion above about changing genres is great! Also, maybe limit the number of pages the book is just in case the book is not very enjoyable... you can still muddle through it before the next meeting. Maybe even put genres in a jar and the next person pulls out the genre so it will be a surprise as well? I don't know... just thinking of ways to mix it up a bit for WWII lady :)
Books and Beef sound amazing!! I think you should totally do it. I feel your pain about not wanting to participate in anything other than work and class, but for me it’s nice to force myself as I have a very needy toddler at home and a baby due in June, so my book club is a vacation for me!! My time to relax and unwind. I loved the suggestion above, but I also love your jar suggestion!! I’ll suggest both of them to the group next month and see what everyone thinks. That way the host still has control over the book they get to pick (but also it switches things up!)
DeleteThe book club I attended only reads mystery novels, so the group has some ideas of the choice of books. The recent one was on the 'summer reads' for Oprah's book club, so I expect they thought it would be a good book. I do know one of the ladies has ties to Montana and that was the location of the story. So, I think that was another reason they chose this book to read.
ReplyDeleteIs the theme of your book club mystery novels, or is that just how it’s been going??
DeleteRebecca,
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see how a book club might operate outside the library. It seems laid-back, and I think that I would be more comfortable in a similar situation. I second the idea of rotating genres so the group doesn't become stale.
Rebecca,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a really nice time. I like that you have a rotating set up that way no one has to feel like they are teh only providing for this book club. I can only imagine who awkward it was when people picked their favorite book only to have the rest of the group dislike it. I also think it is really good that this group broadens your reading horizons. That is a main requirement for me when I go to a book club.
Yes - it’s obvious when someone is offended that their pick wasn’t liked by the others in the group, and it makes for a real uncomfortable night.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThe rule to read something new is wise. It's so nice to have at least one thing you look forward to and can rely on each month. My mother was in a book club in her 70s. Everyone took turns leading the discussion. I was home when it was my mother's turn. Apparently this was a stressful experience. Not only did she lead the discussion, she had to create a formal presentation about the book. The possibility that the other members would criticize her presentation was very real. She would have left the group, but a good friend was the president of the book club and needed her support. My mother said that some women never grow up - catty comments, grudges, and other dramas were often part of the meetings. She and her friend finally left the group. I told her she should have written a book about the years she spent in that group!
I believe it was stressful! I can’t imagine preparing a formal presentation about the book for the club. That doesn’t sound like much fun. If someone did that in our group it would be completely fine, but that is not required at all!!
DeleteExcellent observations! I'm glad that this is a safe space and something you look forward to every month! How my personal book club runs is pretty similar, the host provides the food, drinks, aand questions. To pick books we have a jar that is brought every month. In the jar people have written out books that they want to read on slips of paper, it can be added to at any time. Before the end of the meeting the host shakes up the jar and selects three slips and reads them out loud. Someone reads descriptions of the three books from goodreads and then we all vote on a book to read from the selection. Once in a while we forget the jar and when that happens we all decide to read a book from a genre or any book from an author (For women's history book we're all reading books from Margaret Atwood). Full points and I love the cartoon!
ReplyDelete