Setting up and running your own reading group

Many people are setting up and running their own reading groups, so that they can meet and talk about books at a time and place which is best for them.

We have picked up a lot of tips over the years, and have found the following are useful questions to ask:

Who will be in your group?

• Ask people you already know.  Friends, neighbours, work colleagues and acquaintances might be secretly keen to join a reading group and never told you.
• You could be brave and advertise the fact that you would like to start a group, for example in the local press or on a discussion web site, or on your college, workplace, community centre or library notice board, if they have one.  If you decide to do this and meet new people as a result, be sure to meet them in a neutral, public place before you know them well.
• Decide how many members you would like in the group.  Between five and ten is a good number.  Many more, and discussions can become more difficult to manage (and hear) if all members attend regularly.  Any less, and if a couple of people don't turn up, you aren't left with much of a group.
• Once your group has taken off, decide whether you would like to promote it and 'recruit' new members.  If you meet in each other's homes, you might prefer not to do so.  However, if you meet in a public place and want to maintain numbers when members leave, you could ask your local library service to actively promote your group to others. As above, be aware of the possible pitfalls, and be certain that you do want to recruit potential strangers to your group.

Where will you meet?

• Public places such as cafes and local pubs might be relaxing for members, and can be an ice-breaker environment. You may need to check with the owner or publican, but they probably won't mind if you are buying food or drink.  Some pubs may have a separate space or room which you can use during less busy periods.
• Some public buildings such as colleges and community centres may have rooms available.  Remember that you might have to pay or commit to a regular booking. If you have enough committed members, they might be prepared to pay a 'sub' each.
• If you are happy to (and have the space), you might want to meet in members' houses.  Some groups take it in turn to do so, but you would need consensus among members that they are happy with this.

When will you meet?

• It can be difficult to find a regular time and day to suit all members, so consultation and compromise is important.
• Depending on other commitments, you might want to meet once a month: perhaps more, or less. Agree this amongst your members.  It is likely everyone will have differing commitments.

What will you read?

• Some people might only want to read books that are within their 'comfort zone', and might be reluctant to try something new.  The group is meant to be enjoyable, but it is also a chance to try something new, which you might otherwise not have chosen.  Try and persuade everyone to give books a try.  Even if they hate them, it makes for good discussion.  A fair way to deal with this can be to allow a different group member to choose the book each time.
• North Lincolnshire library service's readers collection' is a list of multiple copy titles to choose from.  You might also gain inspiration from bookshops, radio and TV, newspaper reviews and book prize shortlists. Don't forget classics, as a lot of people haven't read them, and it doesn't hurt to include the occasional 'narrative' non-fiction such as a biography.
• Make sure that half of your group haven't already read the next book!

What will happen at the meetings?

• It is a good idea to designate roles to regular members, so long as they can make the commitment.  For example, someone could be 'chair' and take on an organisational role, if they would enjoy this.  Some groups alternate this 'facilitator' role between members.
• You might want a set duration for the meeting; or, you might want to be more flexible, depending on your venue and your members.
• Discussion about the book might just start up naturally.  In case it doesn't, it is useful for someone (the chair, for example) to have some discussion notes on the book. Web sites often have these for individual texts, and some publishers print them in the back of the book for groups to use.

Some other things to think about

• Planning ahead - getting the books to everyone in advance of discussion, especially if someone misses a meeting.
• Managing cancelled or postponed meetings - are all of your contact details up to date, and who does the contacting?
• Refreshments - this depends on the venue and what facilities are available.
• Trips out - there are often book-related events on near you, or interesting theatre productions.
• Not getting bogged down with any of the above.  Enjoy and don't worry if things aren't perfect. There's always the next meeting to look forward to.