Choosing Books for Discussion in a Book Club
How do others choose their mix of book club books?
My husband is the only male left in a book club which has been given some abysmal choices by the administering library who subscribes to an 'old' central organisation who provide multiple copies and notes at a considerable fee. Although the group is asked for their choices on a list each year, these are ignored and existing books are recycled. As a member for three years, I admire his stoicism in finishing irrelevant titles.However I keep pointing out the wealth of marvellous and current books, and why don't they choose their own? One each per month and buy their own copies.That would help local authors too.
However, their book club discussions are stimulating and from varied viewpoints even if the subjects have been depressing or not well written. (Except for about two books in three years.)
Non fiction? Fiction? Controversial? And which titles do you recommend?
I'd always assumed a book club was to introduce you to titles you might not have chosen for yourself. And to enjoy the discussion? And maybe the meal afterwards?
As an author, I love groups to discuss my books, whether I am there or not!
My husband is the only male left in a book club which has been given some abysmal choices by the administering library who subscribes to an 'old' central organisation who provide multiple copies and notes at a considerable fee. Although the group is asked for their choices on a list each year, these are ignored and existing books are recycled. As a member for three years, I admire his stoicism in finishing irrelevant titles.However I keep pointing out the wealth of marvellous and current books, and why don't they choose their own? One each per month and buy their own copies.That would help local authors too.
However, their book club discussions are stimulating and from varied viewpoints even if the subjects have been depressing or not well written. (Except for about two books in three years.)
Non fiction? Fiction? Controversial? And which titles do you recommend?
I'd always assumed a book club was to introduce you to titles you might not have chosen for yourself. And to enjoy the discussion? And maybe the meal afterwards?
As an author, I love groups to discuss my books, whether I am there or not!
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I belong to a group of 9 ladies ( we formed in 2007) and we take it in turns to nominate titles and occasionally we attend author events at our local bookshop and we will purchase copies and discuss that book. We read widely and have discussed classics , some non fiction and prize winning literature titles. We have discussed 60 books in total so far and some favourite discussions were due to these books.....The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas
Ransom by David Malouf
The Vivissector by Patrick White
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
Stasiland by Anna Funder NF
The Harp in The South by Ruth Park
American Pastoral by Phillip Roth
Still Alice by Lisa Genova
An interesting question and I look forward to further replies.
Jenny
Thankyou for these worthwhile suggestions about your organisation and the choice of the books which I'll pass on to my husband's group. I've read six on your list and years ( three computers ago) wrote books notes for the Vivisector and Harp in the South . Many thanks
Hi HazelWhen you say you write book notes do you mean those very helpful reading group questions? These are great and really useful for discussions. I personally always check online for a guide before suggesting a book. However some publishers are now including guides in the back section of books which is a great idea.
Yes, I used to write notes for book groups such as CAE or HSC but now I only write discussion notes to go with my own titles .An example is for 'f2m;the boy within' which is on my website under the book title 'f2m;the boy within.'http://www.hazeledwards.com/files//te...
I started my own online group specifically so that we could read Australian literary fiction - it's a small but active group of like-minded souls, and I've just joined a book group started by an enterprising local bricks-and-mortar bookshop.
But I also love being here at GR because often I don't want to have an in-depth discussion, just to share impressions before I move on to the next book.
Thanks for a thought-provoking article.
Lisa
PS I'm a school librarian, and my kids love your books:)