Face to Face Reading Groups

[abecedarian]

I'm preparing to start a F2F reading group and wondered if any of you had done this or taken part in one. Advice and ideas are most welcome.

 

[pontalba]

Noshy food must be available at all times.

No, I've not participated in a F2F discussion, but I bet it'll be great!
Have Fun!

 

[astralKnight]

I'm preparing to start a F2F reading group and wondered if any of you had done this or taken part in one. Advice and ideas are most welcome.

I have done it before, it is lots of fun. But after a while you would know every member's reading style and whenever it is certain of member's turn, you just whispher in your mind and praying "Please! Let this one be quick."

But do not worry the torture usually last about 5 minute, if you are lucky.

 

[SFG75]

I would love to do this, but alas, the pitter-patter of little feet make that a tadbit difficult. I have to settle for online discussions instead.

 

[Ronny]

I've done a couple and usually really enjoy them, my current one at the library votes for each month's book at the start of the year, they have refreshments and sometimes even get guest speakers.

My favorite book club was a couples one that focused on books that couples could read and discuss together, it was nice. We hadn't read much together at the same time before but we had to move and I've not seen another like it.

 

[Justin91]

So...is a F2F book club you are speaking of reading the book at home and then discussing it as a group, or is the book actually read out loud by the group during the meetings and then discussed?

This may be a stupid question, but I was confused by some of the replies.

 

[abecedarian]

So...is a F2F book club you are speaking of reading the book at home and then discussing it as a group, or is the book actually read out loud by the group during the meetings and then discussed?

This may be a stupid question, but I was confused by some of the replies.

There are no stupid questions!
A F2F group can be pretty much whatever the group wants..usually they all read the same book and meet once a month to discuss. Often, but not always, food is involved..Yesterday I attended a meeting intended for librarians, about how to start various types of book groups. Most of what was discussed was geared towards schools and kids, but I heard some great ideas for adult groups too. One town nearby actually has two very different groups going. The first has been running for 75 years! That one meets two times per month and at each meeting, two member present a book review/talk. Then, the talk is about those books and whatever else they choose to discuss..sorta like around here when the Reading Lolita in Tehran thread goes of on a bunny trail The other group started about 30 years ago, and most of the ladies are elderly. They rely on the one person, the woman from the library who spoke yesterday..to choose books for them. They want her to 'choose books they would not have chosen for themselves.' She said her main difficulty is getting them to let her know if they don't like the book..they're very reluctant to offend or hurt her feelings..
Usually though, book group members vote, or use the hat system, to choose books. Often they have the person who choose the winning book,facilitate discussion for that book. From what I've read, the variations are legion..
I'm trying to decide how to get this thing started and where..the library is an obvious choice, but my church has offered to let me use the building as an outreach to the community. After hearing about the book review group.. I wonder if we can't generate two groups and use both. I don't know, I haven't even got one started yet I wonder if the book review type group wouldn't be an easy way to generate and gauge interest for a 'real' reading group..I'll be talking to the librarians later this week after I think about it some more.

 

[SFG75]

Are any of those groups related to the One book, once city program? Our town had one for awhile, but it was discontinued. Mostly retired teachers and some of our library support staff. This program has garnered a lot of attention here in the states and they have created something that is truly wonderful.

 

[abecedarian]

We've looked at the One Book project and still may pursue it in the future. It looks rather expensive and problematic for a small town, but I supposed one can always modify the program. There is a cd available with loads of info and printables that I saved on my laptop, should we ever get crazy and decide to run with it. I've even thought of some great books I'd love to see the whole town read...I think it would be better to get a regular reading group going, then use those members for a support team for the One Book thing. Right now, we don't even have an active Friends of the Library group.

 

[Ronny]

Does you library have any book kits availible? That helps a lot and they usually have discussion questions in the back. I've found in private groups someone or I've been hesitant to buy a selection and that can hold the group back. If your library does not have kits or mutiple copies another fun thing is to have everyone read seperate boons but with a common theme, thoough that takes a little more organizing.

 

[abecedarian]

We can get book kits from various libraries throughout the state. Another type of book group I heard about the other day is where the group meets twice per month, and two people per meeting give reviews of a book or two they've read and enjoyed. There's a group in Augusta KS that has been doing this for 75 years! I doubt any of the founding members are still active though

 

[Fantasy Moon]

I tried participating in the literary club on campus, but they always met off campus and the location kept changing to places I didn't know how to find. Also I was tired after a long day of classes so I just gave up. I will have to settle for online discussions too.

 

[Ronny]

Bookcrossing has local yahoo groups too. I've just signed up for mine but not gone to a meeting yet, I get the feeling it's more to exchange books than discuss them but don't know yet