Start a reading group

Don't wait to join a Gloucestershire reading group, start your very own.

Whether you crave a lively literary discussion, love reading and want to share your passion with like-minded bookworms or want to widen your circle of friends, joining a reading group gets rave reviews all round. However, despite having a large range of groups to join in Gloucestershire, locations, times and the types of books being discussed all might make you want to start your own. And it couldn’t be easier.

You may already have a group of friends, colleagues or neighbours in mind, so to get your reading group off the ground all it takes is a few phone calls, a date in mind, a venue (which could be your home) and a book you want to get your teeth into and hey presto – you’ve got your very own reading group. If you want to start from scratch, however, it couldn’t be easier, with the help of our handy guide.

What type of reading groups are there?

Decide what the aim of your reading group is – do you want to inspire serious scholarly critiques or simply have some fun? Also, while some reading groups cover a wide range of literature from William Shakespeare to Zadie Smith, others focus on a specific genre or theme such as award-winners, nonfiction, mysteries, crime, travel or works by foreign authors. Decide what suits you best and there is bound to be some like-minded potential members out there.

What will we read?

Consider what your members will find enjoyable and try to pick a title that inspires debate. For your very first meeting, however, don’t choose anything too scandalous or highbrow as it may put some members off from wanting to get involved in the discussion. Steer clear of sex, religion and politics for your first meeting if you want it to go smoothly and introduce some more controversial topics as the group gets to know one another more.

Where will we meet up?

Apart from members’ homes, coffee shops, bookshops, libraries and even the local pub (as long as it’s not too noisy) all make good venues – anywhere you can socialise after the book discussion and get drinks and snacks tends to be popular.

How often shall we meet?

While monthly is a good rule of thumb, you can meet up as regularly as you (and the rest of the members) want to. Consistency is the most important factor and you should aim to stick to a regular time and venue each meeting, so that you don’t have to worry about reminding members every time you meet.

What will we discuss?

The short answer is anything and everything about the book you’ve all just read. If you are worried about awkward silences elect a leader to ask open-ended questions to spark dialogue and to limit any particularly opinionated members from rambling or dominating the discussion. Book publishers (including Penguin, Random House and HarperCollins) produce online reading guides free of charge that you can distribute in advance – these are a great way for members to consider their ideas before they get to the meeting.

Will we need rules?

Decide early-on if anyone can join or whether membership is limited to males or females, a certain age group or fans of a certain genre. Can members bring friends along and will meetings be open to people who haven’t managed to read the chosen book are also things to consider early on, before potential problems arise.

How many members shall we aim for?

An ideal size to aim for is between 8 and 12. If your group is too small the discussions may be stifled, while too large and some members won’t get time for their opinions to be heard. If you actively want to promote your reading group to attract new members – put fliers in your local library, the venue where you will be meeting and local bookshops – and don’t forget to tell SoGlos.com, as we are always building upon our list of reading groups in Gloucestershire that are open to new members.

Who will pick the group's books?

Taking it in turns is the most democratic solution, but it’s your reading group so you can decide! Another option is for all members to suggest a title each meeting with everyone voting on which they’d like to read next. Also consider planning your books a couple of meetings in advance – this will help members who can’t make it to every meeting know what to read next and will also give you plenty of time to reserve or order enough copies.

Where will we get our books from?

The cheapest option is from your local library who cater especially to reading groups and get bulk batches of new titles delivered regularly. These are loaned to you completely free of charge, but you might want to reserve enough books for your whole group to avoid disappointment (see Free for all). You can ask your local bookshop to order or reserve enough copies of your chosen text, they may also be willing to give you a group reduction on prices. Or you may opt to browse online at the thousands of discounted books available on sites such as Amazon or Waterstones.

Will the meetings follow a schedule?

It is entirely up to you and your members how the meeting will run. Separating book discussions from general socialising is a good idea. Having a nominated reading group leader can keep discussions focused and can potential break-up any fights! Otherwise keep it casual and see how the meeting develops naturally, the choice is yours.

The most important thing to remember is that reading groups are supposed be fun – offering exposure to new ideas and challenging your thoughts and opinions through stimulating discussion, not to mention an excellent opportunity to socialise. Just like literary criticism, there are no rights and wrongs in running a reading group. The only thing you will regret is not having started one sooner.

Michelle Byrne
May 25 2007