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The Mother-Daughter Book Club Rev Ed.: How Ten Busy Mothers and Daughters Came Together to Talk, Laugh, and Learn Through Their Love of Reading – The ... Relationships and Building Self-Esteem
Newly revised and updated! The tenth anniversary edition of the inspirational book that has brought countless mothers and daughters closer together!
The Mother-Daughter Book Club is the story of a group of mothers and their daughters, and how their relationships were strengthened and changed by starting a monthly reading club. But it is also a practical step-by-step guide—filled with stories, anecdotes, and reading lists—that will inspire parents to start reading clubs of their own.
Shireen Dodson's message is a powerful one: Reading, learning, and sharing ideas can help nourish a daughter's confidence, strength, spirit, and independence. A reading club offers a mother the opportunity to enjoy her daughter's burgeoning mind as she moves toward womanhood. The Mother-Daughter Book Club is not merely about books. It is about mothers and daughters, girls and women, and how reading and talking enriches our relationships with one another.
The Mother-Daughter Book Club is the story of a group of mothers and their daughters, and how their relationships were strengthened and changed by starting a monthly reading club. But it is also a practical step-by-step guide—filled with stories, anecdotes, and reading lists—that will inspire parents to start reading clubs of their own.
Shireen Dodson's message is a powerful one: Reading, learning, and sharing ideas can help nourish a daughter's confidence, strength, spirit, and independence. A reading club offers a mother the opportunity to enjoy her daughter's burgeoning mind as she moves toward womanhood. The Mother-Daughter Book Club is not merely about books. It is about mothers and daughters, girls and women, and how reading and talking enriches our relationships with one another.
406 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
45 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 24, 2018
Sorry, but no.
November 26, 2008
I bet you're thinking this book was a little premature. My daughter is only two. I'm funny that way.
Honestly, I skimmed most of this book. I mean really, 274 pages to explain the inner workings of a book club. Ugh. Not to mention the format of the book was really confusing. Expert testimonies of the benefit of reading would interrupt the chapters, only for them to pick back up a page or two later practically mid-sentance.
What I did like--lists of favorite childhood books from famous authors and scholars such as Beaverly Cleary and Ann Martin. I was not a very big reader when I was a girl, so I wanted to read this book to get an idea of the literature I missed. My "to-read" list has grown.
Honestly, I skimmed most of this book. I mean really, 274 pages to explain the inner workings of a book club. Ugh. Not to mention the format of the book was really confusing. Expert testimonies of the benefit of reading would interrupt the chapters, only for them to pick back up a page or two later practically mid-sentance.
What I did like--lists of favorite childhood books from famous authors and scholars such as Beaverly Cleary and Ann Martin. I was not a very big reader when I was a girl, so I wanted to read this book to get an idea of the literature I missed. My "to-read" list has grown.
August 30, 2017
Full disclosure, this book was not what I expected. I did not anticipate a very long, how to start a book club, manual. What I found the most off putting about Dodson's book was the terrible formatting. I felt as though every time I turned the page there was another full (or 2 page) page excerpt, often a short essay, right in the middle of the chapter. It always took me a few lines to realize that I was no longer reading Dodson's text, then as soon as the essay, letter, anticdote etc. was over we were right back into Dodson's text. This book would have been far more user friendly had these essays been left for the end of the chapter.
The one bright stop in The Mother-Daugther Book Club was the book suggestions. My own daughters are about the ages the author's daughter was when the book club was started so I was pleased to find many recommendations of novels that would be perfect to read with my own daughters.
The one bright stop in The Mother-Daugther Book Club was the book suggestions. My own daughters are about the ages the author's daughter was when the book club was started so I was pleased to find many recommendations of novels that would be perfect to read with my own daughters.
April 5, 2019
What better thing to do than share books with daughters, friends and their daughters and then discuss
April 7, 2020
Thought this was the mother daughter book club (fiction book). This is non fiction about starting one.
June 1, 2023
The book has been in the periphery of my life since before I was a mother. As a 4th grade teacher, I shared a modular with a friend, Marti, who taught 3rd grade. She spoke on occasion about the book club she was part of with her daughter. I listened wistfully.
Years later, still without a daughter, I stumbled upon this book during one of my frequent rummages through thrift store bookshelves. I remembered Marti and bought it.
More years passed and I gave birth to a daughter during one of them. Off and on I would think about Marti's book club. Then, in March of 2019, it felt like time. I reached out to Marti over Facebook and asked her to tell me more about her Mother Daughter Book Club. She referenced a book she had read when starting her group and it was this same one I had bought at the thrift store years earlier. We exchanged a few emails about details. I thanked her. But, I stalled. Then, COVID hit.
And here we are today. Sadly, Marti has passed away. But, I recently (finally) read the book. The author shares about the book club she started with her daughter and their friends. Personal profiles written by the daughters are included. Old books are the suggested reads. There are some good ideas, but it is dated. It was *exactly* what I needed to motivate me again.
The Mother Daughter Book Club I have started- thanks to my friend, Marti, and this book- is currently enjoying its third read. It has gotten off to a solid start and I can only hope that our girls (and their moms) will stick with it through high school like Marti's daughter and her friends. Or, even, just maybe, the moms, like Marti's friends, will still be meeting 22 years later...
But, if not, that's okay, too.
Years later, still without a daughter, I stumbled upon this book during one of my frequent rummages through thrift store bookshelves. I remembered Marti and bought it.
More years passed and I gave birth to a daughter during one of them. Off and on I would think about Marti's book club. Then, in March of 2019, it felt like time. I reached out to Marti over Facebook and asked her to tell me more about her Mother Daughter Book Club. She referenced a book she had read when starting her group and it was this same one I had bought at the thrift store years earlier. We exchanged a few emails about details. I thanked her. But, I stalled. Then, COVID hit.
And here we are today. Sadly, Marti has passed away. But, I recently (finally) read the book. The author shares about the book club she started with her daughter and their friends. Personal profiles written by the daughters are included. Old books are the suggested reads. There are some good ideas, but it is dated. It was *exactly* what I needed to motivate me again.
The Mother Daughter Book Club I have started- thanks to my friend, Marti, and this book- is currently enjoying its third read. It has gotten off to a solid start and I can only hope that our girls (and their moms) will stick with it through high school like Marti's daughter and her friends. Or, even, just maybe, the moms, like Marti's friends, will still be meeting 22 years later...
But, if not, that's okay, too.
February 9, 2012
I chose this book a while ago because I was beginning book clubs and because I had some parents who wanted to connect with their kids by reading together.
I like the book, I really do, but I also have some issues with it. First off, I think it needs to be updated. It was written in the 90s and such a valuable resource ought to be updated. Secondly, the author and her book club reside in Washington, DC. They have resources that the rest of the country do not have. My goodness! They even had authors visit them and they had private screenings of movies. Parents involved in their book club worked for places like the Smithsonian. I really would have liked more tips for those of us in the midwestern suburbs or, even better, a small town. Next, the book was full of personal testimonies which interrupted the flow of the reading, sometimes even mid-sentence. While the testimonies were welcome and provided insight, they also interrupted my reading. Finally, the book was geared for preteen daughters (ages 9-11). When that update comes around, could it widen the age range?
All in all, the book has some good ideas. I just wish I could use more of them.
I like the book, I really do, but I also have some issues with it. First off, I think it needs to be updated. It was written in the 90s and such a valuable resource ought to be updated. Secondly, the author and her book club reside in Washington, DC. They have resources that the rest of the country do not have. My goodness! They even had authors visit them and they had private screenings of movies. Parents involved in their book club worked for places like the Smithsonian. I really would have liked more tips for those of us in the midwestern suburbs or, even better, a small town. Next, the book was full of personal testimonies which interrupted the flow of the reading, sometimes even mid-sentence. While the testimonies were welcome and provided insight, they also interrupted my reading. Finally, the book was geared for preteen daughters (ages 9-11). When that update comes around, could it widen the age range?
All in all, the book has some good ideas. I just wish I could use more of them.
July 5, 2010
I think I would have more of an opinion about this book if I had children. As it is, i think it's a really good jumping off point for parents who are interested in starting a book group for middle grades/teens. Dodson has plenty of good ideas and many, many different books are named throughout as recommended by parents, educators, and writers. Dodson has 15 titles listed in the back with examples of activities and questions.
What I don't like about this book is the layout. There are little testimonials, thoughts, recommendations, and ideas scattered about in between the main "narrative" of a chapter, sometimes interrupting a sentence that you don't find again for a few pages. Although these are all in different typefaces (presumably so you can tell them apart) it was really disorienting trying to finish out a thought and then going back to read the tidbit. Should have been taken care of in the editing phase because there's nothing wrong with the content, just the arrangement.
What I don't like about this book is the layout. There are little testimonials, thoughts, recommendations, and ideas scattered about in between the main "narrative" of a chapter, sometimes interrupting a sentence that you don't find again for a few pages. Although these are all in different typefaces (presumably so you can tell them apart) it was really disorienting trying to finish out a thought and then going back to read the tidbit. Should have been taken care of in the editing phase because there's nothing wrong with the content, just the arrangement.
April 18, 2016
I loved the idea of this book. I have two girls myself and plan to start a mother-daughter book club in my area when they are a bit older. I will hold on to this book for the ideas and book lists. However, I had to give it three stars because of a few issues. I hated the layout of it - it was annoying to have to skip ahead three pages to finish reading a paragraph, then backtrack to read what I skipped, which sometimes didn't even flow with the subject matter. Most of the books mentioned revolve around African Americans living in big cities - they may be very good books and I already added some to my reading list, but my kids (from a primarily white small town) might have trouble identifying with some of these. I understand that the author's book club was more tailored to her personal setting, but I wish the lists were a bit more general.
May 22, 2009
This is the book I bought to help me begin a mother/daughter book club of my own. So the moms and girls of my Girl Scout Troop meet once a month and read books that challenge the girls and interest the moms. I love Shireen's other book "100 Books for Girls to Grow On" it has great suggestions and ideas for crafts and questions.
May 29, 2010
Some great, common-sense ideas for starting a Mother-Daughter Book Club, especially someone who has no clue where to begin. The book suggestions/reading material is a tiny bit dated, but overall the message and benefits are well-thought out and timely.
Used as reference for "Tweens Mother-Daughter Book Club" Discussion Group initial kick-off meeting- August, 2010 at BPL.
Used as reference for "Tweens Mother-Daughter Book Club" Discussion Group initial kick-off meeting- August, 2010 at BPL.
January 1, 2014
A gift from my daughter, who when she reads it will probably be relieved that she was spared having to grow up with her mom in a book club with her. Difficult to read because of the layout of the book but full of valuable insight that can be used at any age. Plus dozens of books lists. I love book lists! I've already recommended it.
Want to read
September 5, 2008Parenting
March 12, 2009
I didn't read this one word for word or anything, but it was alright. And now I am desirous to start or be a part of a mother-daughter book club when my daughter is of age. 8ish to 14ish, I guess.
October 4, 2010
Best thing I got from this book was inspiration to connect with my daughter through our common love of reading. The very long list of book recommendations that I gleaned would be second.
February 21, 2011
It was not what I expected--I thought it was a bonding experience type of memoir, instead of a rather convoluted memoir/lists/how-to.
Glad to see they seemed to make it work.
Glad to see they seemed to make it work.
Want to read
June 23, 2012Found at the thrift store, and since our book club members are always looking for ideas, I thought I couldn't go wrong for 25 cents. :) We shall see.
August 10, 2012
Interesting way of getting mothers - daughters to bond. & lots of ideas on what books to recommend for young adults to read.
November 12, 2012
This is a nice tribute to the mother-daughter book clubs Dodson shared with each of her daughters, but the "meat" of the book could be reduced to a short article.
July 10, 2014
Great ideas but it got a bit redundant.
June 7, 2014
I think it encouraged me to do this with my girls, even though they are much older and live far away. Some are not readers, some are.
July 17, 2014
This book is awesome! I want to do this, I really do. Now I just need to see if my daughters want to do this, too.
July 21, 2015
Good information if the reader is interested in organizing a mother-daughter book club.
August 7, 2015
Truly awesome!
Wish I had read this a long time ago.
Wish I had read this a long time ago.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews