Creating a book club is a fun way to bring bibliophiles together. You could always join one that’s already established, but that might not be possible where you live. Since you founded the group, it is yours, and it’s up to you to make sure that everyone has the chance to talk about the book in a safe and friendly manner.
Being the moderator isn’t always fun and can be very daunting. I’ve come up with a list of a few book club moderator tips to help you make the process smoother. This means you can enjoy yourself during the meeting and can keep everyone on track.
Before The Meeting
It’s easy to think that all you have to do is read the book before the meeting. For everyone else (the members), that’s true. You’re the moderator though, so you’ve got a few other things to consider.
Yes, you must read the book. This seems obvious, but it’s the first step to success. You can’t think of engaging questions and know what to talk about if you haven’t read it. Consider finishing the book or chapters a few days before the meeting so you’ve got more time to prepare for the meeting. That way, you can think about it and reflect, making it easier to come up with engaging questions.
While you’re reading the book, jot down important pages or bookmark them somehow. There are bound to be parts that made a significant impact on you and you’ll want to share them with the group. Write them down so that you can go back to those passages while preparing for the meeting.
It’s time to come up with questions about the book you’ve all read. Think up eight or ten questions and try to make them generalized. That way, it sparks a more lengthy discussion. You can also ask specific things, such as what a particular character embodies or how others perceived a certain character.
Research general discussion questions for book clubs to come up with some easy questions. That way, you’ve got a way to start the ideas flowing from others. Write them down or type them and print copies. That way, it’s all ready for the big event.
Book Club Moderator Tips For Fostering Great Discussion:
Since you’re completely prepared for the meeting and have some questions to jumpstart the discussion, what do you do now? Here are some tips for how to be an effective moderator at your book club meeting.
1. Let Other Members Answer First
You’re the one asking the questions to help facilitate the discussion. Once that happens, feel free to jump in, but don’t start answering everything yourself. It makes you look like a teacher instead of a member. When you let others answer first, you’re promoting conversation so that everyone feels that their opinions truly matter.
It’s important to be okay with silence here. Some people require time to think about their responses. If you ask a question and only give them five seconds before answering, they feel rushed. Don’t feel the need to jump right in and answer if no one else does immediately. Even if no one answers for 30 seconds or a minute, you should expand on, clarify, or rephrase the initial question and let the others start first.
2. Make Connections Between The Comments
If one member answers question two in a way that connects well with the fifth question, you can skip the third and fourth questions to get to that. You’re the leader here, so you can go in any particular order you prefer. It’s better to do it that way because people are already thinking about that answer, so you can dive further into the discussion by jumping ahead and go back to the skipped questions later.
Even if an answer doesn’t really connect with other questions, try to find a link between them. When you join together the comments that people provide, you build more momentum and keep the conversation going naturally.
3. Don’t Put Anyone On The Spot
It’s never a good idea to ask someone a particular question. Notice who is being most active in the discussion and who’s being quiet. These quiet people may be uncomfortable talking at first, but they are likely to warm up later. If they don’t, consider directing one question to a particular person to draw them out of their shell. This helps quiet the animated group members and hints to them that someone else deserves a turn to talk.
You’ve got to use your judgment here; some people go to book clubs specifically to stay in the shadows but hear what others have to say. Sometimes, the quiet members just aren’t going to talk. If you direct a question at someone and they act uncomfortable, don’t do it again. Maybe next time, they might feel a little more at ease and join the discussion.
4. Rein In Those Tangents
I’ve been to plenty of book clubs and some of them were more popular than others. The ones that didn’t allow any off-topic conversation weren’t my cup of tea, but those that never discussed the book weren’t, either.
You’re at the book club because you like to read and want to talk about what you’ve read. Others are likely there for the same reason. Sure, there’s bound to be a few little conversations that have nothing to do with the book, and that’s okay. Just make sure that you carefully guide the discussion to the book when you notice these tangents pop up.
For example, you might be talking about a particular character, and someone exclaims that they have a friend just like her. After a moment, everyone starts talking about people they know who fit that description. It’s technically related to the topic and you can let it go on for a few minutes. Then, steer things back to the book by asking about another character or pointing out another fun fact about the first one.
5. Don’t Feel Pressured To Go Through Every Question
You may have 10 questions to ask but after an hour, the group is only on item two. This is perfectly okay! In fact, I think it’s better that way because you get intense conversations, meaning everyone enjoyed the book and the meeting. Think of the questions as more of a guide than a rulebook. You should aim to get through four or five, but it’s quite rare to get through them all.
It’s tempting to push on and try to get through all the questions, but this makes the meeting go over its time limit. You could ask if anyone objects, but some people may only have a babysitter for the allotted time. Another alternative is to dismiss the meeting and let those who have the time stay and continue talking.
Those who have to leave aren’t slighted because they’ve had a good hour or two to talk about the book. People who have more time can continue enjoying the chat.
6. Wrap Things Up
If you know you’re on a time-crunch or others are, make sure that you start winding down the conversation about 15 minutes before the meeting’s official end. Use that time to summarize the most popular opinions about the book. Let others participate by rating it on a scale and explaining why they gave it that number. Alternatively, you can ask each member if they liked the book and why.
General Book Club Moderator Tips:
Understanding what to do during the meeting is essential, but I’ve got many more tips that can help you be a book club moderator. These tips are more generalized and will help you with the planning and logistics or running your book club.
Don’t Be Too General with Questions
If you decide to write up your own questions, don’t be too general. Don’t just ask what people thought of it. Avoid topics with only yes or no answers. The goal is to use open-ended questions so that people delve into the deeper issues.
Listen To Comments And Don’t Be Dismissive
In order to keep club members open and talking, don’t be dismissive or rude when people make comments. You can respectfully disagree, but you shouldn’t say things like, ‘that’s ridiculous,’ or ‘that’s dumb.’
It embarrasses the person and puts them on the defensive, which is sure to stop the conversation and make people feel uncomfortable. If you do have to disagree with what someone says, politely say, ‘I disagree because…’ That way, you voice your opinion, but you’re not hurting anyone’s feelings.
Send Reminders About The Book Club’s Time/Location
Sometimes, book clubs meet at different times, locations, or days because of scheduling conflicts. It’s important to send a reminder to everyone in the group; everyone is busy and could easily forget about the club meeting.
Even if you always have the meeting on the third Thursday at your home, reminder texts or emails can be extremely helpful.
Discuss Business First
There’s sure to be some business to talk about, such as when a future meeting should be held or options for a new book to read. It’s usually best to cover these topics first so that you don’t forget or run out of time at the end of your meeting. Some people are going to have to rush out right after, and you don’t want them to miss important information.
Introduce New Members
Unless your group is private and at capacity, most members want to bring a guest. This means you may always have new members at the meeting. Consider holding a short introduction session at the beginning so that everyone gives their name and a brief bio. That way, everyone feels comfortable.
Remind People About The Rules
If you have noticed a few rule-breakers in your midst, you can start the book club meeting with a refresher on the rules. You don’t have to go through them all, but point out the ones that people are ignoring.
It’s the most appropriate time to remind others what was agreed upon in the beginning. This way, you’re not singling someone out and everyone has the rules fresh in their minds for the discussion ahead.
Related: Book Club Rule Ideas So Everyone Has A Great Time
Start With Opinions
Ask every member to give a brief opinion about the book. This is a great opportunity because everyone gets a chance to speak. You get an indication of how the conversation might go and what areas are of high interest to the attendees. Plus, you can find out who read the book.
If your club has a strict rule on reading the book before the meeting, this is the time to ask them to leave so that they don’t disrupt the proceedings. Those who don’t have such a rule can benefit from knowing who didn’t finish the book. They might have the ending spoiled since they haven’t finished yet but this is their own fault if they decide to stay. Now, they’ve got the option of leaving the group or staying.
Don’t Forget to Have Fun!
As the moderator, you’ve done a lot of work to make sure things go smoothly. It’s easy to forget that you’re a member of the book club, too. Ensure that you’re participating in the conversations and enjoying yourself. If you don’t, you may find that it becomes a chore to read instead of a fun way to pass the time.
Conclusion
It’s easy to forget that you’re the moderator and have a few more responsibilities than other members. Some people can’t take the heat and bail early on. This isn’t what I want to happen for you. There is a way to enjoy yourself and be a great moderator, but it requires a little effort and the right tips.
I’ve talked primarily about what to do before and during the book club meetings, as well as more general tips. That way, you can plan ahead so that you’re ready, and everyone has a smooth experience. This is going to bring everyone back again and again.
Some of these tips may not work for you, or you might come up with others. Read through the list and try a few or all of these ideas to determine which options are best for your particular group. That way, you’re satisfied with things, and so is everyone else.