What to Do in A Book Club Meeting 9 Ideas to Inspire

Book clubs offer a fantastic opportunity for book lovers to unite—bond by sharing their love of literature and engaging in thought-provoking discussions. But sometimes, meetings can become repetitive and dull. If you are seeking fresh ideas to keep the conversation flowing and the interest of your members piqued, this article is just for you!
This article presents five innovative and inspiring ideas to take your book club meetings to the next level. Helping to foster deeper connections among members and make your gatherings a genuinely enriching experience. So, keep reading and exploring these creative approaches to book club meetings that will leave a lasting impression.

1. Creating a Welcoming Environment for All Members

A crucial aspect of knowing what to do in a book club meeting is ensuring everyone feels welcome and included. This environment promotes open and honest discussions, allowing members to freely share their thoughts and opinions.

Tips for Promoting a Welcoming Atmosphere

• Encourage Active Listening: Make sure everyone has a chance to speak and be heard. Encourage members to practice active listening, giving their full attention to the speaker without interrupting. For example, while discussing “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott, remind members to listen to each other’s perspectives on how the March sisters navigate societal expectations without cutting one another off.
•  Embrace Various Viewpoints: Respect and appreciate your book club members’ diverse opinions and backgrounds. Each person brings unique insights that can enrich the conversation. When discussing “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck, for instance, be open to understanding how different members might relate to the hardships faced by the Joad family based on their own experiences or backgrounds.
•  Encourage a Safe Space for Genuine Dialogue: Create a safe space where members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, even if they differ from the majority opinion. Establish ground rules that encourage respect and discourage negative behaviors, such as personal attacks or dismissive comments. This will help ensure that members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts on controversial books, like “Brave New World” by Aldous Huxley.
• Accommodate Various Needs: Consider the varying needs of your members and make accommodations when necessary. This may include providing transcripts or subtitles for video calls and ensuring that meeting locations are accessible. You could offer alternative formats for the book, such as audiobooks or large print versions.

2. Explore the Book’s Time Period or Setting

One great idea for what to do in a book club meeting is to dive into the world of the book by focusing on its time period or setting. Encourage members to research historical context, customs, and traditions relevant to the book. For instance, if you’re reading “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, explore the social customs of the Regency Era, such as clothing, etiquette, and daily life. Then, during the meeting, discuss how these aspects influenced the story and characters and how they differ from contemporary society.

3. Connect with the Author or Field Experts

Another engaging option for what to do in a book club meeting is to arrange a virtual meeting with the author or an expert in the book’s subject matter. This gives club members unique insights and an opportunity to ask questions directly to the source. For example, suppose your book club is discussing “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald. In that case, arrange a video call with a literary scholar or historian specializing in the Jazz Age.

4. Get Creative with Art Projects and Interpretations

When considering what to do in a book club meeting, think about encouraging members to express their reactions to the book through creative means, such as painting, drawing, or writing. This allows everyone to explore the themes and emotions of the story in a new way. For instance, after reading “The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allan Poe, participants might produce visual art that draws inspiration from the book’s themes of guilt, madness, and the macabre or write a poem from the perspective of the story’s narrator.

5. Handling Conflicts and Disagreements Respectfully in Book Club Meetings

Disagreements and conflicts can occur during book club meetings, but handling them respectfully and constructively is essential. Doing so can maintain a positive atmosphere and foster healthy, insightful discussions.

Tips for Managing Conflicts During Your Book Club Meetings:

• Emphasize Respectful Dialogue: Encourage members to express their opinions respectfully, even if they disagree with others. For example, when discussing “Animal Farm” by George Orwell, remind members to avoid personal attacks and focus on the ideas presented in the book rather than on the individuals expressing them.
•  Use “I” Statements: Teach members to use “I” statements when expressing their thoughts, as it helps to communicate feelings and opinions without appearing confrontational. For instance, while discussing “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury, a member might say, “I felt that the book’s portrayal of censorship was thought-provoking,” instead of, “You’re wrong if you think censorship isn’t an issue.”
• Find Common Ground: When disagreements arise, identify common ground or shared interests to help steer the conversation back to a more collaborative space. For example, suppose members have conflicting views on “Lord of the Flies” by William Golding. In that case, you might bring up the theme of human nature and how it resonates with everyone, despite differing opinions on the characters or plot.
• Promote Active Listening and Empathy: Encourage members to listen actively to others and try to understand their perspectives, even if they disagree. In addition, developing empathy for one another’s viewpoints will help keep the conversation respectful and constructive.
• Know When to Move On: Knowing when to change to a different topic is essential if a disagreement becomes too heated or unproductive. As the book club leader, you can gently steer the conversation away from the contentious issue. Help refocus the discussion on other aspects of the book or introduce a new question for discussion.

6. Bring Characters to Life with Role-Playing and Theatrical Performances

One exciting idea for what to do in a book club meeting is to bring the book to life by having members role-play scenes or perform dramatic readings. This can deepen the understanding of characters and their motivations while providing a fun and engaging activity for everyone. For example, if your book club is reading “A Streetcar Named Desire” by Tennessee Williams, consider assigning roles and having members perform a scene from the play. Discuss the emotions and intentions of each character and how the performance influenced the group’s understanding of the story.

7. Inspire Social Activism and Community Outreach

When deciding what to do in a book club meeting, discuss ways to connect the themes and issues explored in the book with real-life situations and take action to make a difference. For example, if your book club is reading “1984” by George Orwell, consider organizing a discussion about the importance of free speech and privacy rights in today’s society. You might even collaborate on a letter-writing campaign for local representatives or plan a fundraising event for an organization.

8. Leveraging Technology to Enhance the Book Club Experience

In today’s digital age, technology offers a variety of tools and platforms that can significantly improve the book club experience. Creating shared online spaces and utilizing tech resources can foster better communication, organization, and engagement among your book club members.

Five Ways to Harness Technology

1. Establish a Virtual Meeting Space: Hosting virtual meetings can be a great solution if your book club members are spread across different locations or have busy schedules. Platforms like Zoom or Google Meet provide an accessible way to connect with each other and discuss books without leaving the comfort of your homes.
2. Create a Shared Online Repository for Resources: Use cloud storage platforms like Google Drive or Dropbox to create a shared folder where members can upload and access book club materials, such as reading guides, discussion questions, and relevant articles. This can be particularly useful when discussing complex works like “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville, where supplementary resources can provide valuable context and insights.
3.  Set Up a Group Chat for Ongoing Discussions: Apps like WhatsApp, Slack, or Discord can serve as platforms for group chats, allowing book club members to continue discussions, share thoughts, and post interesting links or images related to the book. For example, while reading “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë, members could exchange opinions on the moody atmosphere and its influence on the characters.
4. Utilize Online Polls for Book Selections: Create online polls using tools like Google Forms or SurveyMonkey to involve everyone in choosing the next book. This ensures that all members have a say in the selection process and can contribute their suggestions, whether voting for a classic like “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen or a more obscure vintage novel.
5.  Share Digital Reading Materials: If members prefer digital reading, consider creating a shared library of e-books, audiobooks, or digital editions of the selected books. Platforms like OverDrive, Libby, or Audible can provide access to a wide range of titles, making it easier for members to obtain the book and join the discussion.

Embracing the Digital World: Enhancing Your Book Club Experience with Virtual Meetings

My article “How to Create a Virtual Book Club: A Guide to Successful Conversations” may be helpful if you want to take some or all of your book club experience online. This detailed manual provides in-depth insights and useful guidance on organizing lively online book club sessions to encourage meaningful debates and interactions among participants. By helping members to participate from the comfort of their homes and removing geographic barriers, embracing the digital world can help your club expand and become more accessible.

The guide covers crucial subjects, including choosing the best digital platform, encouraging engaging and concentrated dialogues, and upholding a feeling of community in a virtual environment. You can ensure that your online book club meetings are as educational and fun as your in-person get-togethers by using the advice and suggestions in the article. Examine how you can expand and improve your book club by utilizing technology and the richness of online resources, finally connecting with other global fans of antique books.

9. Icebreakers and Team-Building Activities for a Stronger Book Club Community

Creating a sense of camaraderie and connection among book club members is essential for fostering engaging discussions and an enjoyable atmosphere. Including icebreakers and team-building activities in your meetings can help members get to know one another and create a strong sense of community. Here are some ideas for fun and engaging activities to try during your book club meetings:

1. Two Truths and a Lie

Each member shares two true statements and one false statement about themselves. The rest of the group tries to guess which statement is the lie. This activity encourages members to learn more about each other and often leads to interesting conversations.

2. Book-Related Trivia

Prepare trivia questions about the book or its author and quiz members during the meeting. This light-hearted activity adds a fun and competitive element to the book club meeting and can help deepen members’ understanding of the book. For instance, if your book club is reading “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott, you could prepare questions like:

• What was the original title of “Little Women” before it was published? (Answer: “The Pathetic Family”)
• Which of Louisa May Alcott’s sisters inspired the character of Jo March? (Answer: Louisa herself)
• In which American state is “Little Women” primarily set? (Answer: Massachusetts)
• What was the profession of Louisa May Alcott’s father, Amos Bronson Alcott? (Answer: Educator and philosopher)

3. Character Portraits

Have each member draw a portrait of their favorite character from the book without revealing who it is. Then, display the drawings and let everyone guess which character each drawing represents. This activity encourages creativity and allows members to share their interpretations of the characters.

4. Book-themed “Would You Rather” Questions

Pose a series of book-themed “Would You Rather” questions to the group, encouraging members to explain their choices. For example, you could ask, “Would you rather live in the world of ‘The Great Gatsby’ or ‘Pride and Prejudice’?” This activity helps members share their preferences and opinions while engaging in lively discussions.

5. Speed Book Clubbing

Set a timer and have members pair up to discuss a specific book-related topic for a short period, such as two minutes. Then, members switch partners and discuss a new topic when the time is up. This fast-paced activity ensures that everyone can talk to one another and share their thoughts on various aspects of the book.

Get Busy Planning New and Different Book Club Activities

I aimed to inspire you to try new and different activities in your book club meetings. Remember, a successful book club meeting goes beyond merely discussing the story. By incorporating themed discussions, connecting with authors and experts, engaging in creative projects, role-playing, and participating in community outreach, you can create a rich and rewarding experience for every member.

Revitalize Your Book Club Meetings with My Downloadable Checklist

To help you put the ideas from this article into action, I’ve created a handy companion checklist that you can download from my online bookstore, Reading Vintage. What to Do in A Book Club Meeting Digital Download PDF is an easy-to-use checklist divided into four sections to guide you through planning and executing engaging book club meetings.

This checklist is available as a PDF, so you can print it on letter-sized paper and use it repeatedly. Plus, we’ve included a lined Notes page for jotting down any thoughts or ideas related to your book club meetings. Head to Reading Vintage to download your copy and transform your book club meetings today!

Focus on Fun

Focusing on making the book club meetings fun and unique will ensure that members keep returning and attract more people interested in joining your club. In addition, meaningful connections with fellow book lovers will be formed as you explore and share your passion for literature. Remember to tailor your activities to suit the interests and preferences of your group, and watch your book club meetings come to life with these inspiring ideas.

More Bookish Inspiration

Enhance your book club experience with this article as a resource to grow and nurture your current club. Learn fresh ideas to invigorate discussions and deepen connections among members, ensuring your book club thrives and attracts vintage book enthusiasts eager to join in on the literary adventure. Utilize these tips to elevate your club and create a stimulating environment for passionate readers to engage and bond over their shared love of literature. How to Start and Grow a Successful Book Club: A Guide for Vintage Book Lovers will help your established club and help create and nurture a new book club for vintage book enthusiasts.

When shopping online for vintage books to read or add to your collection, you will find that my bookstore Reading Vintage offers quality books. Clear descriptions and many photos give you a better understanding of your purchase. Head over and see if your favorite vintage novel is waiting for you.

Happy Reading, Pam of Reading Vintage