Advice on running a reading group

Here are some pointers for running a successful reading group.

Be clear about the aims of the group. Most of the groups currently meeting in Shropshire are informal, and members meet for the enjoyment of reading a book and seeing how their own impressions compare with those of other people. They view the experience as light-hearted and pleasurable, and want to read books from outside their normal reading zone, and to pick up tips for other titles to try. If you want an in depth literary appreciation of a book, you might find that a literature class is more appropriate to your needs.

There needs to be a structure to proceedings, even if it is just a few friends getting together for a social gathering. Most groups benefit from having a nominated member to take charge of the formalities such as setting the date, securing a venue, and getting hold of the books.

Decide how to conduct the meeting in a way that extracts the maximum value from your shared experience of reading the book. Some groups may nominate a ‘facilitator’ who is prepared to put some work in beforehand in order to introduce the featured book and ensure that the discussion flows well. Others may decide to share this role amongst themselves so that it doesn’t become too onerous for one person.

Keep something in reserve. Occasionally, the featured book runs out of steam very quickly, so a useful fallback is to ask people if they can think of similar titles, or perhaps to mention what else they have read in the meantime.

Planning ahead is important. Most Shropshire groups using the library collection make their choices of titles up to twelve months in advance. This allows them not only to secure the popular titles they particularly want, but also to ensure that there is no break in the supply of books to the group, and that they read a wide variety of genres.

Encourage suggestions for new titles. The reading group collection can only ever offer a taste of what is worthwhile reading, so if your group has titles in mind which are not on the list but which have a wide appeal, make sure you put them forward.

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