How do you get the members to contribute more instead of allowing one or two members do all the discussing/commenting?
Most members of my book club give yes or no answers to questions raised.
Thanks
How do you get the members to contribute more instead of allowing one or two members do all the discussing/commenting?
Most members of my book club give yes or no answers to questions raised.
Thanks
I know that some book clubs make sure everyone participates by going around the room at the beginning of the discussion and giving each person a few minutes to share their thoughts on the book without being interrupted. That’s always worked well encouraging introverts to share in the book clubs I’ve been in.
It can be helpful to use a discussion guide. A well-written one will avoid yes/no questions.
I’ve also heard of clubs where they put the questions in a box & each member draws one out. That person becomes responsible for leading the discussion on that one question. It assumes everyone has read the book, though - something that at least at MY book club doesn’t always happen.
That’s a good idea. Thanks.
This is a great idea, Kim.
Thanks.
@nick and @kim.kovacs I remember when Davina did that extensive study on book clubs. There was great information that she compiled and made available. Could that be posted somewhere so that more people have access? I recall some excellent tips about revitalizing a book club as well as some best practices.
I’m a big proponent of reading the book before discussion time. If I’m leading the discussion I’ve been known to put out emails that there is a big twist at the end that will be spoiled at book club if they haven’t finished. I can usually cook up something dramatic that encourages everyone to try to finish in time.
Yes! We have a lot of advice here: Book Discussion Group Information & Advice
and in our blog:
I know this can be a lot to read through so we’re actively working on a Book Club Guide that will consolidate all of our advice and research and build upon the Inner Lives of Book Clubs: The Inner Lives of Book Clubs Report
It was released in 2019 so it’s time for a refresh, and we’re aiming to make it more accessible to everyone interested in leading or actively participating in a book group, whereas the 2019 report was more of a research report. The new Book Club Guide should be available sometime in April ideally, both in print and ebook, so stay tuned!
One of the book groups I belonged to started off like Nick mentioned. As Nick mentioned, it got the introverts talking plus it also gave the moderator an idea of when it might be a good time to draw them into the discussion with regard to topic, theme, etc.
Kim’s idea is a great idea. The one potential drawback is that the person might draw a question that they absolutely hate which might make it difficult for the person to facilitate that part of the discussion. A variation though, might be to ask each person to come with a question to ask, but to also remind the group before the meeting that preprinted questions will be available in case someone forgets to think of a question.
Those yes and no answers can be more than a little frustrating, especially when there is so much meat to the book! A strategy that might help include asking questions that start with something like:
“what are your thoughts about *** (theme, quote, etc.) or “what went through your mind when Annabelle said X on page 20” or “how do you see * applying to life today” because leading with a what/when question makes it harder to respond with a yes or no.
A second strategy might be to consider sending questions out in advance, especially if the questions require some thought around themes, values and/or ethics.
Last, keep in mind that some people - including extroverts - might answer yes and no when they disliked a book and/or failed to completely read the book .
Thanks, Jill.
I like the idea about referencing a page.
True on Yes and No because they didn’t like the book or didn’t read it.
Sending a few before to spark interest is a great idea too.
Great suggestions - thanks.
More great ideas.
So ask ahead of time to think of a question to ask? That would help the quiet ones for sure.
Thanks.