Guide for Group Leaders

A book group can be great fun, but starting one or keeping it interesting and lively can seem difficult. So here are a few tips we've picked up to help you along. Before long, you'll come up with your own ideas and solutions. When you do, please send them along to us so we can share them with other groups. Thanks!

Tips For Success

The most important part of a reading group is, of course, the books. But no matter how enjoyable the book, it's sometimes hard to get a discussion started. We suggest trying a few of these approaches:

• Choose an author and have each member read a different title written by that author.
• Take the same copy of a book and pass it around your group for comments in pencil.
• Draw names and buy an assortment of books that look good, but that you don't think other people in your group would normally read, then have each person report back with his or her thoughts.
• Pick a book associated with a type of food and have themed dinners.
• Draw character names out of a hat and act out the part of that character.
• Focus each month on a central issue, theme, or question to which you can return again and again with each new book.
• Select a work of fiction and a work of nonfiction which incorporate the same themes and compare and contrast.

The next time you are in the store, visit our Book Club Cart and review the materials available there. For those who are unable to visit the store in person, be sure to e-mail your request and we'll do our best to help you connect with the information you need.

We Want To Help

If there's any way we can help you to get the most from your book group experience, please let us know. Auntie's staff will be happy to suggest books to read, or will pass on your questions/comments to Linda Bond, the Book Club Coordinator. 

In the meanwhile - Happy Reading!

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