LANE BOOKSHOP

Suggestions for Starting a Bookclub (reading group):

·        Decide whether you want a literary or social group and whether it will be single or mixed gender. Do you want to be serious/academic/scholarly or social/therapeutic/bonding or somewhere in-between. It is best to separate the discussion from the socializing.

Consider friends as candidates. Acquaintances or strangers can be considered but should be seriously interested in the process

Determine how you wish to organize the events, which day of the month and frequency and what type of books you want to read.

Do agree that everyone should completely read the book before the meeting. However, there will always be somebody will never read the book completely, so be prepared to be forgiving.

Decide on a selection policy, usually each person makes a selection during the year for discussion but sometimes one person will always make the choice. Other groups choose a number of books and circulate them throughout the year. However, it is difficult to discuss the books if not everybody has read the subject book. A title policy may also be decided on (eg classics). Policies may always be changed. It is better to select shorter books as everyone is short of time.

Research into books and authors can be made via libraries, the Internet or reviews available from the Bookshop.

Call or email The Lane Bookshop (08-9384-4423); (orders@lanebook.com.au) to ask for help in selecting books that your group will enjoy. The Staff have read many of the books currently suitable for consideration. We also have our own reviews and copies of newspaper reviews. Also, you can review our suggested reading list.

Do try to choose books that will stretch the mind. We can always suggest suitable titles but look at prize winner such as Miles Franklin and Premiers’ Awards (Australia), Booker and Whitbread (UK) and Pulitzer and National Book Award (US).

The group leader should prepare some questions which is often a good way to open the discussion. Be spontaneous in your discussions. Make sure everyone has a say and the host should ask open-ended questions ( ones that can’t be answered by yes or no). Respect everybody’s point of view.

 Have fun! –see you in The Lane