The New York Public Library (R) Guide to Reading Groups

by Rollene Saal

This helpful guide provides stimulating reading lists and practical tips for organizing and leading your own successful book-discussion group. Explains how to get a group started, determine its ideal size, weigh the pros and cons of having a leader, understand the effects of various leadership styles, develop a book list that will appeal to your group's interests, and foster a good discussion.

Genres: Nonfiction, Books About Books, Reference

180 pages, Hardcover

First published February 7, 1995

Reviews

[Chris B]

Read the book club selection twice? TWICE? I'm just trying to finish once!

[Madelyn Hall]

I chose this book because I belong to three book groups, and love each one. I am also passionate about reading lists, and the second half of the book is an annotated bibliography by genre. There are some good suggestions in here about how to start, and maintain a book group. However, the book feels very dated in some areas. On page 91, my blood began to boil when the reading group of doctor’s wives was discussed. “More doctors’ wives belong to book groups than the wives of any other profession. No survey has been done to support that premise…” What?! First of all, where are the women who are themselves physicians? Secondly, how can you spout that assertion, followed by the disclaimer that you have no evidence of what you just purported?

I did enjoy the 2nd half of the book (the booklists), but it is woefully out of date. Feel free to skip, unless, like me, you can’t resist looking at book lists, and checking off the titles you have read!

[Helen Geng]

Read June 2020

[Karen]

Saying that I read this book is slightly misleading because I did not read it cover to cover, but I read enough to know that it is aimed at people looking to start a book club outside of a formal, institutional setting. The recommendations are sound, especially concerning appropriate book club behavior and good books to start with, but they are also more academic and analytically focused than suits the book club that I run.

[Jennifer]

I did find this book helpful, but a lot of what it's about are book groups that meet repeatedly, which is not what I'm going to be leading. I was glad to find a list of starter questions to get discussion going, and relieved that the main idea is that the leader talks the least! I'm re-reading the book we'll be discussing, too, using the tips I got from this book.

[Kate]

Good questions to think about while reading a book and informative book lists that added lots to my list of books to read.

[Karen]

Very informative

[Madeline]

Interesting pointers of what makes a good book club, but more importantly, it reminds us that there really don't need to be a lot of rules. A book club should bring together like-minded people who love to read. Not everyone will love every selection, but sharing together helps broaden each person's perspective. The book also includes extensive book lists suggested for various types of readers & discussions. Of course, since years have elapsed since publication of this book, the lists could be updated with more suggestions from readers in a group's club or librarians or other bibliophiles :-)