At the start of the story, Nova thinks the book club is a disaster. Do you think she’s right? What do you think is the key to a successful book club?
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The book club only appears to be a disaster, but it is actually like the beginning of any experiment. People wander in seeking something, hoping to cure whatever ails them, often loneliness. Each new member eventually finds solace in the group, and the mystery is almost secondary to the story of the developing relationships. This book is filled with comfortable settings, realistic dialogue, and true friendships. It is the story of community. A quick and enjoyable read.
I’m sure it would have felt like a disaster, but since Nova was new to the group, It would been a natural feeling for her. I think the relationships in a book club need time to develop; each member needs to trust the other people as well as being comfortable enough to say what they really mean. Nova began to feel like the club was like a family to her as the story developed, in this case the sign of a good book club.
A successful book club (or any group) isn’t so much about the numbers but about people getting together and sharing thoughts. As Susan says, the relationships that can be formed take time…slowly learning and understanding others and letting them learn about you.
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I don’t think it’s a disaster at all. It’s small and could use improvement, but I’ve been in small book clubs before that I felt were very engaging and fun.
It just felt like that. New things often do. Relationships, especially those formed in group settings, take time to develop.
The bookclub was a little unorganized but not a disaster. It wasn’t specific to an age level but it worked! In a bookclub, you have to agree to others choosing books you don’t typically read. Kindness..so important with larger groups. Be relaxed about the “ give and takes” of the group. You are not always going to agree, but agree to listening to others comments and point of views. We don’t always interpret the story’s nuances the same way, so everyone shouldn’t feel the need to control the discussion.
I didn’t see the book club as a disaster. I think it was just developing as a group. And I do think a group needs time to form into something meaningful to all.
I think Nova felt that way because she feared no one would come. But everyone did. I think it takes time for a book club to come together to know everyone and get organized.
It was so early in the formation of the book club and just needed time to develop and create friendships. I am in a writing group that started at the beginning of the pandemic and we didn’t see each other in person for a year and have formed a very special bond and friendship. Good things need time and patience. The mystery sped things along nicely.
I think a successful book club needs a great leader, BUT it also needs members who are willing to participate and suggest books.
I did not think it was a disaster. I belong to two book groups and I think a variety of members makes for a good group. The young and the old often see the books differently, so do male and female. It helps to hear all sides.
Yes. No one seems to be organized around the book. Ask starter questions: favorite character, least favorite character.
When I began a book club, my sincere hope was that we would have a lively discussion about the book. That would last for maybe 15 minutes. I’ll be a participant in one in a couple of weeks. This time, I’m going to meet people. I do hope, however, that Austen’s book gets mentioned
Whenever I start/join a new book club, I think it’s a bit of a disaster, especially if I am not running it! Nova was worried it would be a flop and nobody would show. I think it takes a while for people to gel and for a book club to get its feet…or not!