read and discuss
Joining or starting a book club is easy with the help of local libraries and the Internet
Online book club tools
Theresa Davis, library specialist at the Hoover Public Library, suggests these websites for book club tips or just for literature lovers:
- litlovers.com
- http://www.bachelorsdegreeonline.com/blog/2009/100-tips-tools-and-resources-to-take-your-book-club-to-the-next-level/
- http://bookgroupbuzz.booklistonline.com/
- http://www.bookclubgirl.com/
- http://www.bookbrowse.com
- http://bookclubclassics.com/Blog/free-bookmarks/
- http://www.randomhouse.com/vintage/read/
- http://www.readinggroupguides.com
- http://www.fictionawardwinners.com/
- http://www.reviewsofbooks.com
- http://www.bookclubcookbook.com/
By Laura McAlister
You have a stack of books to read from our July summer reading list and now you want someone to discuss them with? Why not join or even start your own book club. Local libraries and online tools make both easy.
Theresa Davis, library specialist with the Hoover Public Library, said many of the libraries in the Jefferson County system offer monthly book clubs. At Hoover, there are three – two devoted to fiction and one to non-fiction.
“You really need to check your local library because many do have them” said Davis, who heads up the two fiction book clubs at the Hoover library. “I know Vestavia, Bessemer and Irondale do.”
The book clubs at the Hoover library are open to anyone. Davis serves as the moderator for the fiction groups, and Bryce Thornton, business librarian, serves as the non-fiction moderator.
To Thornton, book clubs are all about an open forum. “It’s democracy in action, especially with non-fiction,” he said. “It’s different opinions coming together for a discussion but in a civil way.”
To keep that discussion manageable, Davis and Thornton recommend keeping book clubs to a group of about 10 to 20. Both advise on getting an “eclectic” group that will share differing opinions.
When it comes to selecting books, Davis said she give her members a list, and then lets them vote on which ones will be read throughout the course of the year. She said the library tries to keep enough copies on hand so members don’t have to purchase a copy.
The library tries to assist outside book clubs in the same way, she said. “We started offering our book club kits for those who might not want to have to buy,” she said. “We also try if people let us know they need a book to get a certain amount of copies for the library. We do audio books, as well.”
When it comes to fiction, Davis said questions can be generic – discussions about the theme and characters – or specific to the book.
Many books now offer book club questions in the back, and there are also a multitude of online tools (see sidebar) to help in the discussion.
