1.) THE PILOT: Only one person at a time can land the plane.

Book Groups are vastly more enjoyable when only one person is directing the flow of ideas that occur in a discussion. Someone must ensure that everyone who wishes to is able to contribute. The group leader should also lead the discussion of items 2-8 on this list. Some groups have one person who performs this role at every meeting, while other groups are very successful using a rotation of group members. Other members will look to the leader to bring the discussion back to the book if there should be a departure. A good leader is the glue any group needs to keep the other members adhering to the agreed upon scope and content of the discussion.

2.) SIZE: How large or small will the group be?

Many experienced book group leaders recommend that the group not exceed 15 people with 8-12 being ideal. The larger the group--the more the leader needs to monitor the discussion.

3.) LOCATION: Where are you going to meet?

Some groups meet at each other's home or at a mutually agreed upon place. Libraries and churches often have meeting rooms for public purposes.

4.) FREQUENCY: How often will you meet?

Many groups meet once a month on an agreed upon schedule. Some groups choose the time and date at the previous meeting. An advanced schedule helps larger groups keep focused, and allows members who cannot make every meeting prepare for the next one. Many book discussion groups are one hour to one and one-half hours long.

5.) SCOPE: What you are going to read?

Some groups read only fiction; others non-fiction, classics, or only female authors. If your group decides to have a focus, then it is up to the leader to keep it there. Often groups decide to combine genres and limit certain ones like classics or non-fiction. Trying something new is part of the adventure-so don't limit the list to books by the same author or books that have similar themes. And insist that members read the book.

6.) MECHANICS: How are the titles chosen?

Some groups vote by secret ballot or a show of hands on books proposed by the leader or from a list generated by group members' suggestions. Some groups with rotating member leaders allow that leader to choose the book that s/he will lead the discussion about. There are many lists of popular and intriguing titles for discussion. But a book should be more than just a good story-the writing, the characters, and the subject matter must be able to sustain at least one hour's worth of comments. Controversial books are terrific fodder for discussion, but the leader must keep the discussion impersonal and keep the group away from emotional exchanges.

7.) AVAILABILTY: Choose books that are readily available in multiple copies-paperbacks or older hardcovers.

When you pick a newly published book, you are often forcing members to buy popular, expensive hardcovers that are hard to keep on the shelf at libraries until the initial popularity dies down. Wait a year and do that must read when you can get your hands on multiple copies.

8.) TIMING: Choose books at least 2-3 months in advance so that you can locate titles and supply them to the group members before the discussion.

Planning ahead is immensely helpful because it keeps a group cohesive and productive. Many leaders supply the group with copies of the next title at the meeting before the discussion of that title is to take place. This eliminates anxiety for some members. Other groups request that each member find their own copy. The Library Reference Desk can find titles at other libraries through inter-library loan if they are not on the shelf.

8.) DISCUSSION: The leader should have a list of questions prepared in advance to direct the discussion.

Each set of questions should reflect the specifics of the book being discussed, as well as general questions that apply to most titles.

10.) PREPARATON: Use book reviews, author biographies, and some literary criticism when preparing for the discussion.

If you are interested in some books on beginning or sustaining a Book Discussion Group, then click here.

The following resources for literary criticism, book reviews, and author biographies are just a few available at the library.

PRINT RESOURCES-all in multiple volumes.

• American Women Writers Reference 810 American
• American Writers Reference 810 American
• British Writers Reference 820.9 British
• Contemporary Authors Reference 92 Literature/Near CLC
• Contemporary Literary Criticism Reference 809 CLC
• Current Biography Reference 92 General
• 20th Century Literary Criticism Reference 809.054 Literature