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.

The post Book Club Moderator Tips To Make Moderating A Breeze appeared first on Book Posh.

If you can’t join a book club because none exist in your area, you can create one. You might be surprised by how many people are interested in joining. This is great for you and others who like to read and discuss what they read, but certain rules should to be in place.

Below I’ll go over some book club rules that are helpful keeping your book club conflict free and making sure everyone will have a great time.

Why Your Book Club Needs Rules

Ground rules can help the attendees feel welcome. They want to come back because things are structured. Most of these rules are common-sense items, but it is good to have them all out there and in the open. Everyone will know what to do and what is expected of them, which helps to avoid conflicts. 

Whether the book club is a small group of friends or open to the public, you’re protecting everyone’s ability to feel comfortable. Smaller groups who know each other might have no issues, but things can get heated when you’re discussing (or arguing) about more polarizing books. 

How To Choose Rules For Your Book Club

When you’re deciding on your book club’s rules, think ahead to the types of conversations you want to have. If you prefer a deep analysis of various characters, you’re going to have different rules than if you want it to be light and fun. 

Pay attention to where you have the book club. If it’s a public location, such as a quiet room in the library, you may need to have rules about food and beverages or make sure everyone puts away their chair at the end of the meeting.

I’m going to touch more on the common rules that most book clubs have, regardless of where they are located. That way, you’ve got a start on what to include in your list. In a sense, you’re creating something that works for everyone so that you all can enjoy this time together.

10 Rules Every Book Club Should Have

The following are rules ideas that every book club should have in order to keep your meetings on-topic and going smoothly. If you’re hosting a laid-back book club with a group of friends, you may be able to go lenient on a few of these depending on what the members’ goals are at the meet-up.

The main goal is to have fun and tailor your book club’s rules to the group members. You want everyone to feel comfortable joining in and discussing the book.

1. Read the Book

The point of a book club is to read the literature you’re asked to read. Anyone who doesn’t do this is going to bring the rest of the group down. Have a firm rule that the book must be read by everyone who attends. That way, you can all join in the conversation and no one feels left out.

There could be unavoidable circumstances that make it impossible to finish the book/chapters in the allotted time. You may even have a week where you just can’t complete the entire book. Consider having a dual ‘read the book’ rule. Let others know that they can come and have social interaction, but there could be spoilers. They can choose to tell others they didn’t read it or decide not to go.

2. Respect The Moderator’s Authority

You’re the creator of the book club, so you’ve got the authority. If you feel that people are getting off subject, you can steer them back. Sometimes, points could be too controversial. Read the room and make suggestions on other topics relating to the book. That way, no one gets too upset. This is supposed to be fun!

It’s okay to ask people to leave if they are stirring up trouble. If you’re hosting the club at your home, this is especially true. When having the club in a public place, this gets a little confusing. As the moderator, you’ve got the right to ask people to leave. In a public place, they can choose to leave the group area but stay at the location for other purposes.

Related: Tips for Being A Great Moderator

3. State Your Name When You Speak

If the book club is large, some people may not know anyone else. It’s helpful to put a name to a face, so ask everyone to state their name as they start to speak about the topic.

This is usually only required at the beginning of the meeting. You may choose to have a meet-and-greet session before the book club starts so that everyone learns names. 

4. The Meeting Must Start On Time

If you set the meeting time at 6 p.m., start the proceedings at that time. It is everyone’s responsibility to be punctual. You may want to give out your phone number so that late arrivals can text and warn you that they’re going to be late. I know that things happen; there could be an accident on the road you normally take. You could be running late from making dinner.

While you don’t want the group members to be late consistently, issues are going to arise. Let people know to text or call you before the event starts to let you know what’s going on. That way, the group can continue without interruption, and the late attendee can decide if they want to miss the first part of the discussion.

5. Stay On Topic

I’ve been to countless book clubs and it’s so important to stay on the topic at hand. Some clubs don’t require you to read an entire book. You might read three or four chapters. It’s possible to read ahead, but you can’t jump to sections that no one else has had time to read. It’d be unfair to bring up spoilers for everyone else.

This doesn’t mean you can’t introduce new information that’s relevant to the current discussion. For example, you can talk about bio details, the background of the book or setting, historical facts, and related authors.

6. No Spoilers!

The one rule of thumb for a book club is not to spoil it for everyone else. If you choose to read ahead because you had extra time, that’s great for you. Others might not have done this, so if you introduce topics that aren’t relevant to the chapters, you’re giving things away.

Everyone wants to be part of the group and wants to read the book. That’s why you’re there. If you constantly give away the ending or jump farther ahead and want to talk about that before it’s time, you’re being extremely rude to the other members.

This is when the moderator can step in and remind everyone not to spoil the book for the rest of the group. Some moderators are strict and don’t allow people to read ahead. It’s impossible to know fully if that happens, but if you have someone who constantly spoils the next few chapters (or the end), it’s likely they did so.

7. Don’t Use Inappropriate Language Or Behavior

Most people know that they should be respectful of other people but this rule is important to have in writing. That way, there’s no confusion later. Your definition of inappropriate behavior and language could be different from someone else. Since this is your group, it’s best to make sure others know where you stand.

Inappropriate book club behavior can include things like:

• Getting in other people’s faces
• Shouting at others
• Hitting or punching people
• Not respecting other people’s personal space (sitting too close, touching people you don’t know)
• Showing up intoxicated
• Bringing children or other guests without permission
• Breaking or damaging things that don’t belong to you
• Stealing from the host or other members
• Spinning the tires as you arrive or leave

Inappropriate book club language can include:

• Using curse words
• Calling people names
• Making bad jokes
• Using sensitive words to insult (fool, idiot, etc.)
• Using stereotypical, racial, or culturally insensitive words
• Using variations of curse words

You have the power to define what inappropriate behavior and language is, so use it to your advantage. This ensures that the whole group has a good time and doesn’t get their feelings hurt.

I know that some people don’t mind cursing, but others do. It’s important that people like the time they spend talking about the book. If they don’t, they’re not going to return, and your club suffers because of it.

8. Disagreements Are Welcome

Yes, this sounds a bit odd after talking about inappropriate language, but disagreements are going to happen. Someone is going to find fault with a character that you like. It’s important to get various viewpoints when discussing a book you’ve all read. This adds more depth to the conversation and can help you try to change someone else’s view. 

Things must be kept on a friendly level. Everyone should be respectful of people’s views and preferences. You can disagree on things AND do so with respect. 

9. Food And Beverages

Most people enjoy eating and drinking while discussing books. This is okay, as long as the location permits it. For example, libraries often have strict rules about bringing in food or drink. Consider hosting the book club at someone’s home to avoid issues.

It might be best to rotate who brings what. One person can get the snacks while someone else buys the beverages. That way, it’s not always up to the host to supply (and purchase) these items.

Make sure everyone knows who is to bring what and ensure that they do. There’s nothing worse than one or two people always ‘forgetting’ to supply the concessions. The rest of the group feels slighted because they remember when it’s their turn. Plus, the people who forget all the time never have the expense to deal with like the rest of the members.

10. Clean Up

Whether you’re hosting the book club at a public location or in your home, it’s important that everyone pitch in and clean up. You can choose to have designated cleaners as you do for the food/drink providers.

Ask that everyone throw away their trash and put cups and plates in the sink. That way, you’re not left with a big mess at the end of the night. 

How To Present Your Book Club’s Rules To Members

Once you’ve got your list written out, now what? Many book clubs I’ve been to have a printout for each member. Everyone reads through the rules and agrees.

You can have a notebook available so that everyone can sign their name. This shows that they have read everything and agree to abide by the rules. If they don’t, the moderator can kick them out of the group for a period of time or indefinitely.

I agree it sounds a little strict, but you want everyone to enjoy themselves at the book club meetings. If people are being rude or not following the rules, it can adversely affect everyone’s mood.

You want to talk about the literature and imagine yourself having lengthy, meaty discussions about favorite books. This just can’t happen if people don’t know what is appropriate; rules help with this.

Let Everyone Vote

Even though you’re the moderator, you should let others have a say. If you’re hosting the book club at your house, you have more power than they do.

Consider letting everyone vote on the rules to make sure no one has issues with them. They can even give you more ideas about various options that should be included.

What About Rule Infractions?

People are going to break the rules. I wish I could say differently, but there comes a time where everyone does, and I’ve seen it happen in many book clubs. Make sure you’ve gone over with everyone what happens when this occurs.

For example, you can issue warnings, and if the behavior doesn’t stop, they are expelled completely or for a short period of time. The course of action should be based on the severity of the infraction.

If a member calls someone a rude name, you may ask them to leave that meeting. That same person does it again, and they are banned from future gatherings for a month. This infraction is a little worse than forgetting the soda or being late. Keep these things in mind as you create rules and punishments.

Rule infraction punishments may be a little harsh if your club is you and a few close friends. You could probably work things out as a small group. Infractions are more useful with public book clubs or ones that are much larger.

Conclusion

It’s not hard to come up with rules for a book club, but it does take time. You can’t think of everything, so as new ones become necessary, add them to the list.

Ensure that everyone agrees so that you can all enjoy the book you’ve read and discuss it at length. That way, people want to come back repeatedly because they know they’re respected and can talk about the books they’ve read.

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