Start a Book Group

The 32 Books staff is FULL of fabulous ideas for your next amazing book club read. And, we offer discounts for book clubs -- order your books all together and receive 15% off your group's selection!

How to FIND a book club or group:

  • Start one yourself
  • Check with your local bookstore or library for groups
  • Ask at work, at church, at school (or your child's school)
  • Watch locally posted bulletin boards (coffee shops, rec centres, etc.)
  • Don't underestimate word of mouth (mention your search to family & friends)

How MANY members?

Most book clubs consist of between 5 and 10 members, give or take one or two. This allows for someone to be away for each session, but also takes into consideration that if everyone does show up, that there is still plenty of time for all to participate in the discussion. Just make sure you all agree on whether your book club takes new members always, sometimes, or only when a spot opens up. Best to have everyone using the same criteria.

Deciding on LOCATION:

Many book groups meet at members' homes on a rotating basis. The host may be responsible for refreshments, or group members may all contribute. Other possibilities include dinner or lunch at a café or restaurant, using room at your local rec centre, church or community college.

How OFTEN to meet:

Most book clubs that manage to survive over time meet once a month for two or three hours, although some stretch it to six weeks. More often is too big of a commitment for most people, and meeting less often creates a situation where it is difficult to maintain the momentum of the group.

Many book clubs take the summer off while kids are on school holidays…And many organize a local "field trip" or away weekend retreat during the year to replace at least one regular meeting.

CHOOSING books:

Have all interested parties meet and decide how book selections will be chosen - will each member pick a selection or will the group choose the books collectively? Also decide if the entire group will all read the same book (the most common scenario).

Members may bring interesting books to the first session of a given year (January, or September after the school break) and share them around for ideas, or "wish lists". You might choose the entire year's worth of titles at the first meeting, or your group may work only a couple of months in advance. Just make sure the choices are readily available at your local bookstore or library.

Newspaper and magazine book lists, literary prize lists, local bookstore and library picks, and websites are all good sources of ideas.

You may want to switch between genres (literature, classics, history, poetry, short story, biography, mystery) - or concentrate on one author for three sessions, or go with a theme (family, cultural conflict, Italy, etc.)

AHEAD of time:

    - Choose a meeting time and duration. This could be the same throughout the year, or change in order to accommodate everyone's schedule. - Make sure you have established a solid line of communication (email seems to be the easiest, but phone works fine too) - if a change is necessary to meeting time or place, get the word out quickly and make sure all know. - Circulate the title choices, and have someone send out a reminder about the upcoming meeting (either the person hosting, or a volunteer coordinator)

How to STRUCTURE the session:

There is no "right" way to run a book club or group. However, some of these suggestions may help you establish a new group, or revitalize a club that's been around for a while. The choices you make will depend, to a large degree, on how formal or casual your group wishes to be…

  • Choose a discussion 'leader' for each title - this helps to keep the discussion focused on the book and allows each person time to speak.
  • Expect the "leader" to prepare discussion questions about the book and/or biographical info about the author.
  • Use a timer (mechanical or human) and give each person an allotted time to talk about their thoughts on the book.
  • Invite a guest speaker to participate and begin the discussion.
  • Go 'casual' - a simple "free for all" discussion about the book.
  • Schedule in time for refreshments, pee breaks, and socializing

WHAT to talk about:

  • Which character did you "like" the best?
  • What do you think was the main theme of the book?
  • Did the author use first or third person perspective? Did this choice work?
  • Which character would you most like to be?
  • How did the book reflect your own life experiences?
  • Was the setting an integral part of the story?
  • Did you think the author's style and tone were well matched to the narrative?
  • Was there a historical aspect to the story?
  • Did the book cause you to look at the world in a different light?
  • Was there strong use of symbolism? How did it affect your interpretation of the story?
  • Would you read another book by this author? Why or why not?