Do You Belong to a Book Group?

[Turquesa]

I'm referring to an in-person, off-MDC one. I'm a SAHM and fierce reader whose only day-to-day adult conversation is with inanimate objects. I'm considering either joining or starting one, but I'm hesitant about a couple of things.

First, I hate to say it, but I do like a little freedom to choose my reading. A book group would stifle this and require a little more "bending."

Also, IYE, do members attend regularly? Are the conversations intelligent, phony-feeling, veering off-topic? Do people actually finish the book, or does it feel like a throw-back to the dreadful college seminar in which nobody reads but everybody tries to BS their way through the conversation? Do you like the book selection? What else do you like and not like?

Every group is different, so I'd love to hear different experiences. TIA.

[Pinoikoi]

I've been asked to speak at a couple of book groups, does that count?

[philomom]

I'm in two book clubs. One for ladies and one with my hubby that is science fiction based.

I love the "stretching" of my mind this way.

[zinemama]

As a dedicated reader and book group member, I'll give ya my two cents:

As for your first concern, about liking the freedom to choose your own reading, I wouldn't worry. If you are a reader, you will still read whatever you want outside of book group. Your BG book will be at most one book per month. Personally, I read at least 3-5 books per month, so having one be a BG book is no big deal. Yes, you may end up reading something you wouldn't ordinarily read, but this isn't terrible, in my experience.

As for your second questions, here is where it gets tricky and where it is *crucial* to establish clearly (if you start it yourself) what kind of book group you are looking for. Ground rules are not a bad thing!

I personally belong to a book group that you would probably not want. Our book group would more accurately be described as a "excuse to get together, drink wine, eat great food, laugh uproariously about stuff unrelated to books and discuss the book for about ten minutes with fabulous women group."

At this point in time, that is exactly what I want in a book group. But you are looking to discuss books with other adults in an intelligent fashion. So in your shoes, I would establish those ground rules I referrred to. Stuff like:

no idle chit-chat
no talking about family/kids
only books by x-type of author (whatever you are looking for)
maybe: book chooser brings list of discussion questions
etc.

I have been in this type of group and really enjoyed it. The discussions were neither forced nor college-seminar-ish but really intelligent and interesting. People were serious about reading, finishing and discussing the book.

It all depends on what you are looking for. BG problems arise when someone seeking one type of book group ends up in another type. That's why I think it would be a good idea for you to start your own group and set the tone you want yourself.