Readers' Groups Made Simple
How to add value/ keep the group motivated
Remember that people's economic situations can be very variable. They may appreciate coming to the group because it is free. Do not organise too many costly "add-ons" if they are going to make some group members feel excluded
- Read something completely out of the norm for the group once a year e.g. a long poem or a biography
- Theatre/film trips especially if they relate to books you have read or want to read
- Restaurant trips if related to something you have read, or just to celebrate the group's anniversary, or a festival
- Themed Food & Drink at meetings if it relates to the book being read e.g. Curry with a book set in India, pizza or pasta with an Italian setting
- Visiting author/speaker. Be careful with this as it changes the nature of the discussion. If people haven't liked a book, they will probably feel uncomfortable expressing this to the author. (Or may not, in which case it is embarrassing for everyone). But very occasionally, it could be something to try. New authors particularly like the opportunity to hear what readers feel about their work. Clearly a group which has read something factual may welcome the chance to question a writer further
- Other "meet the author events" at libraries or bookshops
- Prize nights e.g. Orange Prize Party, ManBooker prize night
- Xmas or anniversary parties
- Visit a historic site or venue that features in something you have read
- Social Networking sites/blogs; are you going to report discussions or continue conversations on a special website or blog? This could be very helpful for people who miss some meetings
- Twin with another group: either meet with another local group or on-line in another country. The British Council is quite experienced in this area. For more information about this possibility, visit:
