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Invite the right people
Clubs often dissolve into a glorified coffee klatch because members
are too busy to read the books or aren't motivated by in-depth discussion.
Decide logistics upfront
Keep in mind that location - restaurant, church hall, coffeehouse,
bookstore, members' homes - and frequency of meetings affect attendance.
Appointing a leader can be very helpful in gathering background
and guiding discussion - decide if a leader will be appointed or
if that role will rotate among members of the group.
Be serious, but remember to have fun
Successful bookclubs mix intellectual and general-interest approaches for a blend of light and serious inquiry.
Select the right books
Books that explore simple human truths, or stories with three- dimensional
characters who behave erratically or make hard choices produce the
best discussions.
Read to discuss
Make notes as you read. Identify themes, symbolism and structure
in the story. Think of stimulating questions to inspire in-depth
conversation.
Lead an effective discussion
Ask each member to pose one discussion question and focus on exploring
these open-ended questions. Remind members that good books invite
various interpretations and that there are no right or wrong answers.
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