| Welcome to my first newsletter as an author. I promise not to jam your inbox with too much correspondence. I hope to keep in touch with everyone with a quarterly newsletter. I might review a book I have recently read, update readers on my next project, or jot down some thoughts about … well, whatever is on my mind.
Recently, I have gotten to see and speak with many of you at book group discussions for The Mrs. Tabor. (Thank you for the invites.) Prior to one meeting, I was asked what makes a good book group. Book groups aren’t just for nerds anymore. Since Oprah started her book group in 1996 (Deep End of the Ocean by Jacquelyn Mitchard, for the trivia buffs) movie stars and television hosts have been lining up to tell fans what they are currently reading.
Book discussion groups come in many different forms, and there is no one proper type of book club. I think there are three elements needed for a successful, happy book group:
1) Pick a good book,
2) Get everyone involved,
3) Have questions prepared in advance.
Picking a good book should be easy–there are millions of books out there. Recommendations for good books can come from anywhere. Many groups refer to bestseller lists from the New York Times and USA Today. Amazon lists their top 20 most sold books each week, as well as editors’ picks. Local librarians are a treasure; they love to suggest books. Even the government has reading recommendations. Each year, the Library of Congress’ OneBook Project aims to have everyone in the vicinity read and talk about the same book.
Books that stimulate conversation include:
* Developed characters: No one is all good or all bad. Even heroes can have a moment of weakness or a flaw. We are still talking about Achilles and his heel after 2000 years. Villains are more interesting if we think they have some glimmer of redemption.
* Complicated conflicts: discussion will take off if the characters have no clear right answer or easy path.
* Relatable topics: Readers can see themselves in even the most imaginative fiction. Book group members can share how they felt or acted in a similar way to characters who are vastly different from the reader’s reality.
* Social commentary or controversial subjects: It is not necessary to shy away from difficult subjects. But insist that all members be respectful of the thoughts, feelings, and opinions of others.
Getting everyone involved in the discussion doesn’t require great social skills, just awareness. There will always be a few chatterboxes and some quiet listeners.
* Start with an open-ending question about participants’ general impression of the book, such as ‘what was your favorite part?’
* Encourage quieter members by asking them a specific question by name.
* Let everyone speak. No interruptions, no insults, no shouting.
* Prepared questions should be used as discussion starters or guidelines. They are not test
questions. No one has to prove they read the book.
Discussion questions are sometimes included at the back of their books and publishers often post questions for their new releases on the publishing house website. Don’t worry if questions are not readily available for the book your group has chosen. Just Google generic book discussion questions. I have put together a few of my favorite questions have can be used for any book.
- What was your favorite part? What scene stuck with you?
- What did you think of the characters? Did they grow or change by the end? What do you think was the main character’s motivation?
- What did you think of the dialogue? Was it true to character? Easy to understand? Did it add depth to the characters?
- Was the plot engaging? Would you describe it as fast-paced or a slow burn? Predictable or complicated?
- Discuss the book’s structure. How would you describe the writing style? Did the structure or style make a difference in your enjoyment of the book?
- What was your favorite quote? Were there passages you found insightful?
- How did you like the ending? Would you change it? If so, how?
- If the book were a movie, who would play the main characters?
- Think of a playlist to describe this book.
There is a book discussion group for everyone. If you are having a hard time finding your tribe of readers, I encourage you to start your own book group. It usually begins with the simple question, “What are you reading?”
Kimberly
PS. I am available to discuss The Mrs. Tabor in person or via Zoom. Just shoot me an email at info@kimberlyburnsauthor.com. To all of you who have already discussed the life of Baby Doe Tabor, THANK YOU!
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