When you start the group, distribute a list of phone numbers and addresses. If not everyone in your group uses email, mail postcards instead.

How do we keep in touch? Send out monthly meeting reminders.

For example: New London Literary Lions, Red Hat Readers, or just the Lakewood Book Club.

What should we call ourselves? Try to give your club an identity so that members will be accountable and engaged.

Where should we meet? Some good meeting places are: homes, clubhouses, public libraries, churches, local Y’s, and restaurants.

When should we meet? Whether weekday evenings or weekends, this will largely depend on the job/childcare schedules of your members.

Once you choose a schedule, try to stick with it.

How often should we meet? Monthly works best for most clubs.

How many members should we invite? 8 to 16 members are best: enough for a discussion if several are absent, but not so many that discussions become unwieldy.What kind of books should we read? Choose a literary genre or a mix of genres: fiction (current, classic), poetry, drama, mystery, sci-fi, current events, history, or biography.What type of group should it be? Decide on an orientation: we suggest targeting somewhere between highly social and seriously academic.

Ask and answer these ten questions to help you create a book discussion group*

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