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Book Club Reboot: 71 Creative Twists
Is your book club feeling stale or uninspired? Has attendance dropped, or are you struggling to keep your patrons engaged? What you need is a reboot. This resource published in cooperation with ALA's Public Programs Office profiles dozens of successful book clubs across the country. Its diverse cross-section of ideas will inspire you to rethink your reading groups and try out new ways to better meet your library’s and community’s needs. Drawn from responses collected through social media, electronic mailing lists, e-newsletters, websites, as well as the authors’ own research, this book You’ll find the keys to creating a book club your community will love among the abundance of ideas offered in this book.
144 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 17, 2021
This book from the American Library Association provides great examples of how different libraries have spiced up their book clubs, made them more accessible to different groups of patrons, and changed up traditional formats to fit the needs and interests of their users. I'm glad that I was able to read this from my library's professional development collection, and I found it very helpful for a grad school project. I wanted to write about starting a hypothetical book club program for teens, and this book provided just the insight and real-life examples I needed to help me fulfill the assignment requirement for cited material.
However, even though this is definitely worth reading if it's easily available, the content isn't remotely worth the absurd amount of money even the Kindle version is selling for on Amazon. Also, it annoyed me that so many of the book club examples involved meeting out in the community at restaurants and bars, without any commentary on how this would affect potential members who would feel pressured to spend money on food and drinks they can't afford, don't drink alcohol, struggle with alcoholism, experience sensory overload in loud public places, or would otherwise experience barriers to meeting outside the library. There's nothing wrong with meeting in a restaurant or a bar if that's what works for everyone, but I wish that the librarians sharing success stories about this approach had included caveats about how inaccessible or off-putting this would be for some potential book club users.
However, even though this is definitely worth reading if it's easily available, the content isn't remotely worth the absurd amount of money even the Kindle version is selling for on Amazon. Also, it annoyed me that so many of the book club examples involved meeting out in the community at restaurants and bars, without any commentary on how this would affect potential members who would feel pressured to spend money on food and drinks they can't afford, don't drink alcohol, struggle with alcoholism, experience sensory overload in loud public places, or would otherwise experience barriers to meeting outside the library. There's nothing wrong with meeting in a restaurant or a bar if that's what works for everyone, but I wish that the librarians sharing success stories about this approach had included caveats about how inaccessible or off-putting this would be for some potential book club users.
October 29, 2019
A really informative and engaging professional development title from the American Library Association, featuring over 70 book clubs in short summaries where their facilitators describe what they do in their groups and what makes them stand out. From book clubs encouraging activism and community engagement, to book clubs for youth and families, to online book clubs, this book is full of ideas and suggestions to start a new book club or enhance an existing one. I love that the authors remind us in conclusion that "every community is different, and not every book club format will work in every community. Don't be afraid to fail" (99). It is challenging work to develop a group that engages community members. I also love that co-author Stephanie Saba dedicated the book to her husband, "who participated in my first book club when I was worried no one would attend the meetings." My husband attends one of the two book clubs that I facilitate at my branch, and while we have a congenial, dedicated group of regular attendees, I appreciate his dedication and support (and the fact that other librarians admit to the same worries I have - of nobody showing up)!
June 7, 2019
An interesting new take on updating book clubs in libraries. This book is great for any department (kids, teens, adult, programming, even tech!). There are over 70 ideas from libraries across the nation to help reboot a book club at your library. Throughout the book there are some ideas to branch out to specialized demographics. The end of the book also has some great resources. Thanks ALA
August 11, 2019
This was exactly what I needed to rethink book clubs in my library!
April 26, 2022
Nothing super in-depth, but it does give you some interesting directions to take library specific book clubs.
April 10, 2025
Very informative, recommended to me by colleagues. Didn't quite have what I was looking for in terms of information for a book club idea, but still great information. Very creative ideas.
August 15, 2019
This was fantastic! A quick read mostly comprising examples from various libraries. I am chock full of ideas after reading this, and excited to explore them further with my co-workers!
July 15, 2021
short and sweet. great ideas from libraries across the country
April 12, 2019
I came away with a few fun ideas but ultimately, this was just way overpriced for the content.
September 4, 2019
Sarah Ostman, one of the leaders of ALA brings out new styles of book groups to shake up a community, improve attendance, meet a need, etc.
All but one or two of the 71 book clubs mentioned are for adults, though some of them are Adults who read YA for Educators to promote better understanding of teen literature.
The layout of each book group is divided into whether its shaking up diversity, meeting a need or simply something all-together different.
Then it tells the library's group title, the library that does this, whether or not the library is academic or public and whether it predominantly serves a suburban or urban community, the structure of meeting dates, formula and why it was successful.
The book also does a great job of closing out one type of book group to replace it, without losing patrons.
Very helpful resource.
All but one or two of the 71 book clubs mentioned are for adults, though some of them are Adults who read YA for Educators to promote better understanding of teen literature.
The layout of each book group is divided into whether its shaking up diversity, meeting a need or simply something all-together different.
Then it tells the library's group title, the library that does this, whether or not the library is academic or public and whether it predominantly serves a suburban or urban community, the structure of meeting dates, formula and why it was successful.
The book also does a great job of closing out one type of book group to replace it, without losing patrons.
Very helpful resource.
February 13, 2025
Book Club Reboot by Sarah Ostman and Stephanie Saba is a versatile collection and analysis of book clubs kickstarted by libraries throughout the United States. Overall, the book covers 71 different book clubs that are held in a total of 26 different states. Each chapter is themed around a different aspect, detailing unique concepts, formats, and ideas from each book club in a page-long spread. The common threads in each of these examples are clear: 1) people like to meet where they are already comfortable, 2) food and snacks bring more people in, and 3) activities outside of discussing books can improve book club attendance.
This book is an excellent resource for libraries across the country, covering a variety of community types and different scenarios that can apply to a diverse array of contexts. The authors acknowledge that traditional-model book clubs have been largely phasing out, emphasizing the need for finding a niche and putting a twist on that model to retain and increase attendance.
Molly Lindquist, creator of the former LitLovers.com, was quoted in the introduction, saying “People have been hungry for community, and books give that to people. Then sometimes you get tired of substantial conversation, and you just want to have fun.” The question, then, that is answered in this book, is how libraries can start and maintain book clubs that can provide that balance of community, intellectual conversation, and leisure for a variety of patrons.
This book is an excellent resource for libraries across the country, covering a variety of community types and different scenarios that can apply to a diverse array of contexts. The authors acknowledge that traditional-model book clubs have been largely phasing out, emphasizing the need for finding a niche and putting a twist on that model to retain and increase attendance.
Molly Lindquist, creator of the former LitLovers.com, was quoted in the introduction, saying “People have been hungry for community, and books give that to people. Then sometimes you get tired of substantial conversation, and you just want to have fun.” The question, then, that is answered in this book, is how libraries can start and maintain book clubs that can provide that balance of community, intellectual conversation, and leisure for a variety of patrons.
January 3, 2021
Love this book for so many reasons. The chapters are: Change of scenery, Find a Partner, Unite People with Common Interests, Make it Easy for Them, Meet a Need, Target Your Audience, Get Quirky, Encourage Activism, Meet Them Where They Are, Short on Time, Put it Online, Get Them Meeting at an Early Age. Each chapter is filled with amazing ideas. At the end of the book, there are amazing resources. If you lead a book club, want to start a book club, want to make changes to your current book club, read this book.
May 23, 2022
Less for entertainment value and more research oriented, this book, produced by the ALA, looks at how libraries can take a failing book club and revamp it to bring programming numbers up.
Trying to gain traction on a library book club takes many steps and some planning, but this book not only helps you think about all the aspects to think about to put a book club together but it gives you real example of how libraries have made changes and succeeded.
It was informative, thought provoking, and help to brainstorm things for my own efforts.
Trying to gain traction on a library book club takes many steps and some planning, but this book not only helps you think about all the aspects to think about to put a book club together but it gives you real example of how libraries have made changes and succeeded.
It was informative, thought provoking, and help to brainstorm things for my own efforts.
July 26, 2020
This book had a lot of great ideas! Not all of them were implementable at my library, but there are some for every type of library. I'm not a fan of how many there were that suggest the group meets at bars or restaurants, mostly because of the financial constraints that come from that either from the library or from the club members, but there were plenty other innovative ideas to spice up or start a book club!
March 20, 2022
This wasn’t quite what I was expecting because the audience it’s intended for is librarians. I was hoping to get ideas for regular book club leader. It was still an interesting read and the format was perfect to give a little but enough information about all kinds of different book clubs. There were some great ideas, some that didn’t appeal to me, and some I was jealous of and wish were in our community!
June 13, 2022
A quick read that talked about ideas for book clubs. Though The ideas were mostly based on creating new book clubs and book club themes rather than activities that would help an already existing book club which is what I thought the book would discuss. I liked the way this book was written + formatted, its very easy to read. I also felt like it was targeting more of librarians rather than the average individual.
March 6, 2023
Many of the suggestions are directed to librarians and geared to community library-based groups. Very happy to find this title though. Our bookgroup went on hiatus pre-pandemic but there is tremendous appeal in gathering to read, discuss and share books and visit in our homes and in restaurants again. Well-timed, inspiring source for new ideas to jumpstart our group in March.
January 13, 2020
Really enjoyed this. Had short chapters so easy to get to the good stuff. Each.description included actionable steps that can be quickly implemented. Really recommend you peruse for your programming needs.
October 31, 2019
Lot of good information and ideas on tweaking a book club. It is wonderful to read what other facilitators are doing to run a successful book discussion.
November 1, 2019
Interesting to read of all of the different book clubs.
November 9, 2019
This book is being passed between the librarians at work who run book clubs. It has some good ideas and a nice resource list at the end.
November 25, 2019
Basically profiles of a bunch of unique bookclubs. Really aimed at librarians so not as helpful as I had hoped. But, if you are a librarian, it could be inspiring.
February 16, 2020
Tons of good ideas lain out in easy to follow format. Found several options for our library. Includes choices for all sizes.
March 15, 2020
Lots of good book club ideas here.
August 5, 2020
Just what I needed to get more ideas for clubs.
February 3, 2021
While a bit repetitive, lots of a interesting ideas contained within.
April 9, 2021
This gets my librarian-brain circuitry firing on high.
November 28, 2023
I liked the ideas in this book! Especially the cemetery book club!
April 13, 2023
I am glad this book was available through my public library, because it is very overpriced. There are some great ideas in here, but I wish there was more practical information with regard to how to get these types of book clubs started in your community.
September 4, 2019
This is specifically geared toward book clubs at libraries, but really anyone running a book club could find something useful in this book! Simple, useful, and easy to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews