How to Host a Book Club
I have zero experience in starting a book club, as I inherited mine from my friend Stephanie after she moved to Colorado. But I have managed to keep it alive. And here’s how:
1. Communicate
Our book club uses a private facebook group that Stephanie set up to communicate and it actually works really well. Having a central place to share ideas and information keeps everything clear and everyone in the loop. Not a facebook fan? Try a text thread or utilize an app like GroupMe. I’ve gotten into the habit of making sure to post all the information for the next book club as soon as I get home from the last book club so that it never sneaks up on me.
2. Invite, invite, invite
Living, breathing things grow, so making sure our group is one that grows has been essential. Anyone is welcome and we often add new members. This is also helpful for the seasons where someone needs to duck out for a bit; the group doesn’t die because two ladies have to step out during soccer season. Which leads me to:
3. Have on ramps and off ramps
On ramps and off ramps are often key for healthy groups. Book clubs are perfect for on ramps and off ramps – they’re your transitions between books. Our needs and schedules aren’t static, so offering a space with grace and flexibility just feels like being a kind friend. This has also allowed our group to welcome new members without feeling huge and people pop in and out consistently enough that it doesn’t feel like you are constantly introducing yourself.
4. Lead
Leading can be super awkward, especially if you have a personality that doesn’t like to offend or step on toes or flat out tell people what to do. But I’ve found in some instances, in order to move forward and not get stuck, someone has to make decisions. For me it’s been helpful to create a balance by having a rhythm of asking for feedback but giving a deadline for this feedback. For example, when choosing a new book, I’ll often ask for suggestions, but give a deadline for when I need those suggestions. Other times, I’ve posted a list of books, usually sourced from Pinterest, and ask ladies to help me whittle down the list in a few days. Finally, I’ll post a poll of 3-5 books, with links to a synopsis in the comments, and a time and date when the poll will close. The winner of the poll is the book we choose. This has been a helpful system to give everyone a voice but steer clear of slipping into idle when no one wants to make a decision. We’ve done this for changing the time of meeting and deciding where to eat if we go out to dinner, too.
What if no one gives any feedback? I’ve chosen to believe that if no one offers feedback, they don’t really care what gets decided. In these instances, I go ahead and decide for the group.
5. Choose older books
This is a sneaky tip that you can choose to ignore, but our group has found new releases can be expensive and hard for everyone to find library copies. However, if we choose a book that was popular a few years prior, our library will still have several copies and second-hand retailers will have these books at more affordable price-points.
6. Have good snacks
A lot can be said for the old-fashioned art of hospitality. Nothing says “I’m glad you’re here” like a bag of Oreos or your grandma’s famous chocolate chip cookies or boutique popcorn from the new shop downtown. Snacks and drinks can also be a nice buffer – something to look at, an easy jumping off point, even a weird little talking point.
7. Share the responsibilities
Our group uses a sign-up sheet to share hosting duties which has been life-giving as a leader. We take turns hosting in our homes, bringing drinks, and providing those light (yet delicious) snacks. If this is hard to get off the ground or it feels like no one wants to help, cheat your own system by texting a specific member who you know won’t mind about a week in advance to ask if she would help you out by bringing a snack or drink. After a week or two, ask two people, one to do drinks, one for snack. About a month in, maybe you’ll have a conflict ;) and have to ask someone else to host or move book club to a restaurant just for that week. Now try relaunching a system for sharing responsibilities. In the education biz, we call this scaffolding.
For our system, I’ve found it helpful to pass or post a sign-up sheet around where I’ve already signed up only my house. Not everyone has space or feels comfortable to host (and maybe this is you!) but is happy to contribute in other ways.
Not a home-based group? Take turns choosing a restaurant, book store, or meeting space, and making the reservations.
8. Check in
About once a month, take a mental check of who hasn’t made it in a while. For me, the book club isn’t about being better-read, it’s about building relationships and community – and friends check in on each other. Send off a text to missing members letting them know they’re missed and that you’ll hope to see them soon. Maybe they won’t text back or be back, but at least they know they matter to you.
Another thing to check in on is how everything is working. Every once in a while, have a discussion on how the time and day is working, the types of books you’re reading are working, the systems you have in place are working. Be open to new ideas and opinions and be flexible. In 2020 we had to get creative about meeting online and outside, but we made it!
There you have it: 8 completely biased tips and steps for hosting a book club. I hope a few works for you, because, in the words of Rainer Maria Rilke, “Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading!”
