What did you think about the format of the silent book club? Does the idea appeal to you? What do you think a silent book club needs to be successful?
I don’t think I’d like a silent book club. I enjoy discussing the details of the book, the character development I like people to come ready to discuss!
The silent reading in a group was interesting - I’m not sure I’d like that much because discussing a book with group members and fleshing out different opinions helps me really think more deeply about a book. There have been several books we have discussed that I thought were just ok, but after discussing as a group, I found that I enjoyed the book much more. The fact that they set aside time to just talk, to be honest and vulnerable, to listen to one another - that part appeals to me.
I like the format of the silent book club. It does take pressure off of its members by allowing them to read what they want and not requiring people to speak. It also provides a set reading time for those who have difficulty making the time. By listening to the discussion, members can learn about books that they might want to read. I think a silent book club needs to meet in an easily accessible space and have a committed leader who listens. I found a couple of silent book clubs in my area, but they meet in the evening and are further than I would like to drive. One year, I thought about inviting friends over to read. It was in the spring so people could read outside or inside. Food would be available in the kitchen. I didn’t follow through, but it was more of a reading retreat than a club.
I find this to be a great concept. I enjoy book clubs where we have all read the same book, but this suits me even more. Should have a comfortable meeting spot, a leader who marks the silent time and encourages the sharing time. The only problem might be that as books are shared my TBR list would grow even larger.
I would not care for a silent book club. You can’t have conversations while reading so everyone would have to stop reading in order to catch up or share some news. A sewing type club can get away with being “silent” because you can chat while working. I enjoy the conversation that a book club produces and would prefer to read silently alone.
That format would not appeal to me. I wouldn’t mind each reading their own choice and then having a “show and tell” period, but I am not a fan of sitting around in a room reading with others, that is too much like a study hall and I would find it annoying . I do prefer the give and take and exchange of ideas in a more traditional book club.
I feel the same way you do. When my book club discusses books I sometimes feel I like books more due to the interesting and interpretations I miss. I am in a group of 8 and all of us are extroverts so we have to be careful to let everyone have their turn and not all talk at once. We are all former teachers so we all like to be heard.
I can’t see myself in a silent book club at all. To me the point of a book club is to discuss what you’ve read, allowing many different opinions. As many of you have already pointed out I often find completely new perspectives about books or characters that I might not have liked when I read the book, but through discussion, other members can offer new insight into those characters and make me look at them differently.
In a response to another question, I mentioned that my high school had a semester course that was basically a silent book club. The entire hour was spent reading, doing a little journaling and when you finished a book, discussing with the teacher. If a couple of students read the same book or one by the same author, the teacher had them discuss the book. I have found that many people don’t like reading book club selections so don’t join a club, but a silent reading club might be what they would like–with a little social time at the beginning or end–that is how this group became friends. I also think that periodically a book club might benefit by having members share books they are reading beyond the book club or sharing their favorties as in the Desert Club.
I don’t think a silent book club would be for me. I’m in three book clubs now and really enjoy the discussions, some of which give me new perspectives on the club selections. However, I do think the format in Frank’s book club, which contained some discussions after the period of silent reading would work for more people. One of the librarians in my local library started a silent book club earlier this year. Not sure what happened since I was not a member but I think it has disbanded. To date, they have not had a meeting for several months now,
I would not be interested in a silent book club. When I hear the groups discussion I Find areas that I hadn’t even thought of.
We have events in our town called “Reading Invasions”. They are like “mass mobs” but after you learn the location/time you show up to read quietly. They’re a lot of fun to go to. You bring a chair and a good book and that’s it. The socialization happens in the planning and in getting there. Some go out after. This book reminds me of them.
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What a neat idea, @Laura_Genco!
It’s an interesting concept. I can’t decide if I would enjoy it or not. I like the discussions our book club has because sometimes they see things in the book that I haven’t and that gives me new perspectives. However, if people actually did share something about what they were reading in the silent book club, it might be a good way to find other books you’re interested in.