There are many parts that make up a book club. Some focus on the fun aspects or the aspect of listening to others. However, being prepared for the book club is the best way to ensure the book club runs smoothly and effectively.
Setting up the book club
1.Plan and figure out the goal of the book club and who makes up the club (The Center for Professional Education of Teachers [CPET], 2017).
-The goal of the club can vary, from focusing exclusively on the book or the focus of the group is to socialize with the book as a part of the conversation.
-The group can be made up of friends, which is more laid back and focused on the time so everyone can go to bed on time, or colleagues, which has a more clear structure to get deep into conversation about the book.
- Set up the book club to be “…as egalitarian and democratic as possible.” (Alverez-Alverez, 2016, p. 229).
-Everyone can have a book ready so they can suggest it as an option.
-Everyone should be ready to speak up and participate in the discussion or encourage everyone to give their opinion on the discussion. As Fatou said, “It is a group activity so remember to include everyone in the discussion.”
3. Establish a meeting time and location that is the most convenient to everyone.
Role of the Moderator
- Figure out what type of moderator fits your personality best before the meetings begin (CPET, 2017).
-Share the responsibility with the group if you are someone who is shy and would rather not be the center of the attention the whole time.
-Bring out your energy, but make sure to let others speak, if you are very outgoing.
-Share the responsibility with someone else if you are comfortable with being the moderator but you’re unsure of how well you can do it alone.
- Have an icebreaker ready in order to help everyone feel more comfortable and willing to participate, such as games to get to know one another (“Facilitating Discussion”, n.d.).
- Start and keep control of the discussions of each book club meeting (“Leading a Successful Discussion”, n.d.).
-Although going away from the discussion can be fine, deterring too far from the book can waste time, so the moderator should make sure to bring the conversation back.
-Have extra questions and topics, such as specific quotes and questions on themes, to discuss to keep the conversation from running dry.
-Make sure one person isn’t talking more than everyone else, including yourself. Be ready to ask people in case they are too shy to raise their voice themselves.
4. Be sure to remind everyone of the rules set up for the book club, such as being respectful, punctual, and not veering too far from the main topic from the book (“Leading a Successful Discussion”, n.d.).
Role of the Participant
- The participants should read the books, take notes, and be ready to participate (LitLovers, n.d.).
-Have specific quotes from the book that support their statements.
-Have notes of anything that was interesting or confused you to bring up during the discussion.
- Be patient and be ready to let others talk, even if they don’t have the same opinion as yours.
Bibliography
- Alverez-Alverez, C. (2016). Book clubs: an ethnographic study of an innovative reading practice in Spain. Studies in Continuing Education, 38(2), 228-242. https://doi.org/10.1080/0158037X.2015.1080676
- Leading a Successful Discussion. (n.d.). BookBrowse. https://www.bookbrowse.com/bookclubs/advice/index.cfm/fuseaction/moderating_meetings
- LitLovers. (n.d.). Facilitating Discussion. ilovelibraries. http://www.ilovelibraries.org/booklovers/bookclub/facilitate-discussion
The Center for Professional Education of Teachers. (2017, April 10). Facilitating a Book Club: Is there one right way?. Columbia. https://cpet.tc.columbia.edu/one-book-book-club/facilitating-a-book-club-is-there-one-right-way
Original: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zKe1H3XwDUiYSPihJGZ4r5nHTW5FGwusasPk8hIUt2s/edit#
