My book group is 10 years old this year. I have been a member for 9 years, and have read 80+ book group books in that time. The book group has been a constant source of pleasure for me; both for the books and authors it has introduced me to, and because of the members, most of whom have been there since the beginning. Many book groups founder before they have read a dozen books. Why has our group lasted so long?
There are a couple of reasons why our group is still going strong, apart from the minimum requirements which are of course a love of books and reading, and a free evening once a month. Firstly, the group is well organised. Secondly, and most importantly, we read the books and talk about them. I could also add that the other members are delightful women whose company, insights, opinions, and love of reading have brought great richness to my inner life.
I was terribly flattered to be asked to join at all. I worked with one of the original members, and we often talked about books and reading. When someone left the bookgroup, I was invited to take her place. I instantly accepted.
My boys were very young at the time, and the book group became a lifeline to the outside world. I rarely missed a meeting, and the feeling of freedom and relaxation during those hours talking about books sustained me through many a trying day.
Our structure is well tried and tested and it works, as the longevity of the group testifies. We meet once a month, from 8pm-10pm. Hosting the group is rotational; everyone does it about once a year. The host offers tea, coffee, soft drinks, red or white wine, and snacks. We're not talking about home made petit fours here, just a few crisps and a packet of biscuits. Shop bought is fine. The reason I mention this is that I have heard horror stories of book groups where the host provides a cooked meal for the group. Cooking dinner for friends is a lovely thing to do, but I would have no desire to combine it with a book group meeting.
The previous month's host leads the discussion, as her choice of book will have been read in the preceding weeks. This isn't as intimidating as it sounds. Often books will include guidance questions for book groups, the internet is awash with helpful questions for book groups, and anyone can say 'What did you think of the book?'
At the end of the evening, this month's host reveals her choice of book for the coming month. It should ideally be one that is new to the whole group. We read a wide range of books, almost invariably fiction, rarely biography or autobiography, and infrequently crime. There's no getting round it, choosing a book that you hope will entertain the group and be sufficiently thought provoking, is not easy, but it's all part of the fun of being a book group member. We all buy our own copies of the book for the coming month, or borrow them from the library.
The following month, the person who hosted last month's meeting, and chose the book, leads the discussion. The person hosting the evening reveals their book choice for the following month at the end of the evening, and so the cycle continues.
We have a break in July and August, and in December our meeting follows a slightly different format, where we all bring a book, and all receive a book, read those books over the Christmas period, and informally discuss them during our annual book group dinner, held in January. The host for February's meeting reveals her choice of book at the end of the meal, and off we go again.
Though the structure of the book group is quite formal, the meetings are very informal, with lots of laughs and always time for a chat before we settle down to discuss the book. However, we do discuss the book we have read for that month; we are all committed to that. Occasionally of course, someone wont have managed to finish it, but on the whole we do try our hardest. I mention this because I suspect that failing to read the books is why many book groups stop being book groups and instead become social groups. Which is also lovely, but not a book group.
I am fascinated by book groups in general, how they work, what books are read, who chooses the books, if the chosen books are read, if the members get on well. I know of at least one book group which fell apart because some members were so adversarial that harmonious discussion was not possible. We are fortunate in our group, not because we all agree, but because we can disagree courteously.
I hope our book group keeps going for another 10 years, and then 10 more. Why stop, unless our love of reading diminishes, and I sincerely hope that never happens.
(For sheer style and longevity, you may like to read about the ladies in this book group.)