benefits of book clubs?

[aggiegrad05]

I've been laid up in bed all weekend with a terrible cold, so today I tore through one of the guilty pleasures I allow myself every now and then -- a chick lit novel. I picked up this particular book, Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner, a couple of weeks ago on one of my regular trips to the bookstore. (By the way, it's a pretty good one if any of you are looking for a quick, entertaining read.)

Anyway, this book had reading group questions at the end. I skimmed them and, while I found them to be interesting, I couldn't imagine tearing the book apart to go back and analyze all of these little details the questions were asking. I thought that might even ruin the book for me. I've never been involved in a book club, but have thought about joining one or starting one up with my friends because I'm always reading something. This kind of makes me second guess that though. Maybe this is just too "light" of a book for in-depth discussion.

For those of you who belong to or have participated in book clubs, what were your experiences? What kind of books did your group choose? Was it more of a social thing, or did you actually take it seriously? Did all of the analysis ever ruin a book that you initially liked after you first read it? What did you take away from the group?

[veniqe]

It was probably way too light reading material.

My bookclub won't go into the minute details.. That might spoil the book for most.

Have a look at www.bookcrossing.com and see what their discussions are like on the forums.

Gotta watch South Park.. gotta watch South Park.. gotta watch South Park..Gonna watch South Park.

[wordsmith]

I'm a lifelong voracious reader who, though I love discussing books, really am just not a book club person. No offense to any who want to do or start book clubs here or have in the past, just my perspective on why they don't attract me. Mainly, it's that reading is my chief relaxation and entertainment, and putting an assignment spin on it (we have to read this book, I have to have x done by x time) takes that element away. Though I do love discussing.

[weary]

I'm a lifelong voracious reader who, though I love discussing books, really am just not a book club person. No offense to any who want to do or start book clubs here or have in the past, just my perspective on why they don't attract me. Mainly, it's that reading is my chief relaxation and entertainment, and putting an assignment spin on it (we have to read this book, I have to have x done by x time) takes that element away. Though I do love discussing.
i belong to a book club, yet agree with this. the reason i love my book club so much is that it's a very diverse group of women with 3 things in common - location, ethnicity and a love of reading. while yes, we do have a specific book selection and meeting every month, it has become/is so much more than that. we've developed friendships, we share other titles we're reading/have read/suggest/are interested in, we have 1 evening a month away from whatever else is goin on in our lives (spouses, SO's, kids, lonlieness, work, other commitments, etc) to eat and laugh and drink and talk together, and on and on. our ages span 35 years, and our life experiences are incredibly different.

we have a sister club that is very strict and deadline/book discussion driven...they have discussion facilitators, fees, and even a 'didn't finish/read this month's book' FINE. :googly: we often joke that if our club were like that, it would disband rather quickly. i know i'd certainly leave if that were the case. but because the club i'm in manages to keep it low key and enjoyable, i've stayed and plan to stay in it for years.

[winneythepooh7]

I've yet to join a bookclub, but there has been a spin-off bookclub for a women's social group I am a member of. It doesn't really seem to work well, because for starters, people don't always finish the book in time for the discussion meeting. Then, people can't agree on a date to meet, so nothing seems to ever take-off. Lastly, people have difficulty agreeing on the type of book. I'd rather just read a book on my own and make recommendations and then maybe discuss the book later on, not necessarily in a "meeting setting".

[pisces2473]

i belong to a book club, yet agree with this. the reason i love my book club so much is that it's a very diverse group of women with 3 things in common - location, ethnicity and a love of reading. while yes, we do have a specific book selection and meeting every month, it has become/is so much more than that. we've developed friendships, we share other titles we're reading/have read/suggest/are interested in, we have 1 evening a month away from whatever else is goin on in our lives (spouses, SO's, kids, lonlieness, work, other commitments, etc) to eat and laugh and drink and talk together, and on and on. our ages span 35 years, and our life experiences are incredibly different.
Now THAT is cool. How did it start? I would love to find something like this!

[weary]

winney,

here are some things my club does that might help your club get off the ground:

-once a month meetings* that are the same day/time every month (i.e. the 2nd sunday of every month @ 1pm).

-everyone suggests a title, and then a list is made and simply gone through, in no particular oder.

-we have an emial group list and all communication/reminders are done that way

-we have a "secretary" (member of the group) who is responsible for keeping the list of titles/meeting dates & locations, and sending out the reminders

(*our "meetings" are very laid back, in member's homes. the hostesss provides food and drink [usually wine! :D], and obviously, her home.)

[weary]

Now THAT is cool. How did it start? I would love to find something like this!
PMing you.

[pisces2473]

Yaaaaayyyy!

[EmberMae]

I love the idea of a book club, I love discussing books, but I've never been in one that was really successful, mostly because most people simply did not read the book. I was in one at my apt. complex, which was unfortunately discontinued after about 5 months. We still had a few great discussions even though most did not read the books!

I think it's hard because different people like different types of books and they might not feel motivated to read the chosen book. Maybe a genre-based club would work better, I don't know.

Personally, I like analyzing books and picking them apart so that isn't the issue with me at all, I don't think it ruins it, I think it brings further depth.