Q&A for How to Start a Book Club

To get the same book, you can rent the books for your club from a local library. If you have enough money, you can buy the books; check for used copies online ahead of time.

Tell her that to be in the book club, she has to read the book. It doesn't make sense to not read the book and be in the club.

Anywhere! As long as everyone is comfortable, you can hear everyone, and there is enough space, you can hold the meeting anywhere. Try the local library, a clubhouse, or even outside in your yard if the season's weather cooperates.

Well, in the allocated time left over, you can discuss other books and listen to recommendations for new books. Then you can just hang out.

If your friends like it, ask them to help put up posters in your school (with permission, obviously). It'll kick start the club.

There should be no limit for the maximum, it depends on how many members your club can handle comfortably. As for a minimum, 3-5 people can be a starting point. The age limit will depend on what type of reading you are planning for the club.

Anywhere from a week to two months. It all depends on the length of the book and the reading level of the people in the club. Most groups read one book between each meeting.

You can, but there's a reason things are done the way they are. If you talk about a book no one else has read, you'll be spoiling it for them. Also, no one else will have much to contribute because they won't have read the book and formed their own opinions. Book clubs are usually used for more in depth analysis and sharing of experiences related to one or two topics and themes. If you're trying to talk about multiple books, and only one person has read each book, the conversation will get very muddled and confusing.

You read the book (of course!) and discuss it at meetings. Look up some book club discussion questions online to give you an idea of what to discuss. Most book clubs serve drinks and snacks, too.

You can talk to a teacher about starting it at school, where you can find people from different friend groups that would be interested in joining.

You'll find good tips in Start a Book Club at School .

Yes, you all will read the same book and then later discuss it at meetings. The discussion doesn't have to be super deep (analyzing themes, etc.), but could just be sharing thoughts and opinions about the book.

If you want to start it at your school, talk to your principle and parents before you tell others about it. If you get permission, tell your friends about it, and spread the word.

You could start by posting short reviews of the books you have read online. Make sure they are the kind of books that interest you, because it should attract people who like reading the same books as you.

Create posters. Use bright colors, cool fonts and text features on your posters. Include meeting times and dates, as well as who runs the club and where it is held. You could also make a website or social media account for your book club.

Yes. You can agree on a time and day to log onto Instagram and post about the book. You could also make it more fun with hashtags for each book you discuss.

Try having them write or record their thoughts beforehand and then translate it. You can use one of those apps that allows you to have conversations with people who speak different languages.

Check the internet for most recommended books for your age group. There are many lists of books for suggested book club inclusion.

No! It helps to have a bit of a schedule but it is up to you how you host it. After all, it is your book club.

A book club should meet about once a week. More than once a week would seem be too much, because people have busy weeks. To tell others about the book club, try printing flyers and posting them around school. This would attract those who love to read and it would be a good way to make more friends.

A book club can have members of any age. It's your choice on who to invite. If someone calls younger or older asks to join your book club, just tell them that they haven't made the age limit.

Get a planner and put down dates for meetings or have 1 or 2 weekly meetings to make sure everyone knows the schedule.

You can't make someone join a book club. All you can do is select books of general interest and hope that members will approach them with an open mind and a willing spirit. You can also put the book selections to a vote of the members.

Your book club can focus on any kind of books you like.