A random bookclub! Don’t they look like they’re having a great time? This could be you! UX Book Club Sydney photo by Steve Baty licensed under CC BY 2.0

We’ll all been there: You read a book that blows you away and all you want to do is preach it to everyone you know. It could be a novel that keeps you up at night, turning the pages, or an imperative and pivotal text, like The Climate Report: The National Climate Assessment—Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States. You want to increase awareness, and more so, to discuss the book. Why not start a reading group? Easier said than done, but thankfully there are plenty of resources to help get you started. We’ve rounded up a list of questions to consider and steps to explore to help take the discussion to the next level.

• Define the group: Ask yourself what you hope to achieve
  • What types of books and/or themes will the group discuss?
    • Fiction? Nonfiction?
    • Categories/genres of focus: Translated literature? Science Fiction? Autofiction? Poetry
    • Themes: Climate change? Film adaptations? Banned books?

• Who do you want to approach/invite to be part of the group?
  • Size of the group: Under a dozen, over a dozen?
  • Do you want to be the group leader? If not, who (ideally)?

• Iron out the logistics
  • Location: Physical and/or virtual meeting space?
    • It’s okay to have one or both; the important part is consistency, having a location where the group meets without any confusion. Confusion results in dropout in attendance.
    • Remember: If it’s at someone’s house, opt for a smaller group (10 or less); if you can secure a larger venue, that’s when it can be larger.
  • When’s the first meeting? How often will the group meet?
  • What do members bring?
    • Food and beverage: Who supplies what? Do you alternate who supplies? BYOB? Again, confusion results in dropout.

• Content: WHAT ARE YOU READING?
  • Create a schedule based around how frequently the group meets. Recommended to pick out at least a couple of books right from the start, giving members time to read.
  • How long do members have to read the book?

• Supply general questions beforehand—publishers often offer reading group guides with their books. Here’s an example.
  • Don’t be afraid to reach out to publishers. They’re helpful in providing discounts for copies and may even help with defining the group discussion.

• Backups: What if people can’t meet?
  • If it’s a matter of getting to the physical location, opt for a virtual chat
    • Google Hangout
    • Maybe even a conference call
  • If it’s a matter of a virtual reading group:
    • Opt for an email thread—allowing for members to comment and raise discussion points about the book so that the conversation is not lost.
    • Slack channel could be of some use
  • Don’t be discouraged—just because one meeting is a bust, it doesn’t mean interest has dropped; keep your own interest in the group and the group will reciprocate.

• Day of (the to-do’s on day of, including how to lead)
  • Begin the group meeting with introductions a little banter
    • Food!
    • Beverage!
    • Icebreakers! (I heard you just moved into a new apartment?!)
  • Keep things focused—get right to highlighting the book/themes
    • Deliver the questions
      • Everyone gets a turn to speak
      • Go around the circle, discussing until each question has exhausted itself
    • Discuss the book as a whole

• Open up for voting on future meetings details
  • Is it time for a new slew of books to be selected?
    • Take a vote. What are people excited about?
    • Food, beverage, and other details
  • “Housekeeping”
    • Reiterate and remind members of key details about the group

• Have fun!