What about being in a reading group appeals or does not appeal to you?

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There are several things I like about my book clubs.

First, I have the opportunity to read books I wouldn't normally have picked for myself.  I usually end up liking most of the books we read and it opens up a whole new variety of authors and books to choose from.

Secondly, I love talking about books. I learn a lot from listening to the opinions of others, things I would never think of.

And finally, I have met a lot of great people in the book clubs I am in and that is probably the best reason of all.

Maureen from Middletown
A book group appeals to me because I like being with friends and talking about books --- what everyone has read, what they liked and why, what they disliked about the book and why, how long it took to read the book, and what will they read next.

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What really bothers me about book clubs is that members seem to want to read what might be considered trendy or intellectual without any real interest in the book, other than appearing "smart." They often choose books that are not interesting as well as those they don't really care about. And, they often seem to choose books based upon what they believe will make them appear academic, intelligent and interesting. The book group leaders often are more concerned with navigating a list of questions rather than having a quality discussion. Can't they discuss a book without a list of questions that they feel have to be answered? What's wrong with merely beginning each discussion by asking for input? Simply let intelligent conversation begin. After all, isn't the point of a book club to have a conversation about a book rather than merely trying to appear intellectually superior?

I guess the teacher in me comes to the fore whenever I enter a book club discussion. I am more interested in finding out what others thought about the writing style, the characters, memorable moments, and other issues that would draw members into discussions that they would not soon forget. Who cares who knows what the club is reading? Isn't the point of discussing a book to find out how the book connects to each member's life? That's what's important to me. And, that is why I don't like book clubs. Oprah is the only book group leader who has intelligent, insightful, in-depth discussions about the important issues facing readers of the books she chooses. Others ought to take note and follow her lead. She's a really good discussion leader!

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I really enjoy being in a book group because it broadens your reading horizons. Over the two years that I have been a member of a group, I have read books that I would never haven chosen to read on my own. Most of these books and authors have proven to be enjoyable. I also really like talking "books." We have formed new and hopefully lasting friendships. 

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Book club membership, from my estimation, takes a story and tears it apart...similar to what a high school and college student does in English Lit classes. I read for enjoyment's sake alone, not to delve into what the author was thinking when the volume was written. For example, I don't really care that Hemingway had his issues (discussed ad nauseum in my college English Lit classes) during the era of his writing; I care only that his imagery and novel comes alive for me. Book clubs take the mindless enjoyment out of reading and make you think about "underlying causes, cause and effect, the moral of the story, etc., etc., etc." Give me fine word-craftsmanship (is that a word?), great characterization, strong story development (no typos and no loose ends), and I'm happiest reading for myself.

Jan in Edmonds
I adore being in a book group because it gives me a chance to hear others' points of view regarding the book under discussion. This is especially helpful when I find myself not liking a book as well as someone else. When I hear another person's take, I tend to get a perspective I hadn't otherwise considered. Many times I've come to gain a new and positive appreciation of a book I initially hadn't liked or understood. The downside of being in a group is that I find myself tongue-tied and I feel unworthy of participating. Yet, I love being with people, especially those with whom I can share my passion. Through trust, my discomfort vanishes and I soon feel at ease, sharing my viewpoints and enlightening other participants, as they have similarly affected me.

Former Public Librarian, Southeastern US
I was the leader of two book groups while working in a public library and I ran into a lot of problems. First, it was hard to select a book that pleased everyone. Invariably at least one person was offended by language, plot, religious content, etc. I was also extremely bored by the titles chosen, as they almost never corresponded with my interests. But I had to read them in order to conduct the discussion, so an activity I normally loved became a real chore. In addition, the library was unwilling to purchase enough copies of each book, so members complained that they didn't have enough time (usually a month) to pass the title around, despite an explicit public promise from the director that, if we picked paperback titles, we'd be guaranteed enough copies. (The head librarian, who was in charge of ordering, never cooperated --- a passive-aggressive act of anger, as my book groups were much larger than his and got positive press coverage as a result. I complained to the director every month about the shortage, but it was never resolved, as he was extremely averse to confrontation.) And finally, so many of the group members revealed themselves to be narrow-minded people --- racist, sexist, homophobic, religious zealots (and strangely enough, all of them were women). 

It was disconcerting to realize that, once I got to know my patrons in more depth, I didn't like a lot of them, so it was a relief to be laid off due to budget cuts. (Much to my surprise, members deserted both book groups once I departed; they didn't like the bossy tactics of the head librarian, who took over my duties --- he selected titles without seeking their input, whereas I had always presented summaries of about 30 titles and let the group pick a year at a time, with special consideration for seasons and holidays. I got a lot of letters and e-mail from group members who missed me and praised my more personal and open approach, so apparently I concealed my dislike of this duty well.)

I've had absolutely no inclination to join another in-person book group.  I'm perfectly happy to discuss what I'm reading with friends and family, or as part of several online genre or author-specific discussion groups.

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I'm constantly reading daily and working full time. So how would I fit all of this into being in a reading group and being a wife and mother? Not enough time in the day.

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I like being in a book club because I find it interesting how several different people can read the same book and have such divergent thoughts about it. We bring our lives into the way we process what we read. It makes me broaden my thoughts and horizons.

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I just think that book groups take reading books to another level. Discussing interesting books with other book lovers would leave such a feeling of camaraderie. I am actually in the process of organizing a mother/daughter book group that I plan to host monthly in my home. Personally, I just can't wait!

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I like to hear what other people liked or disliked about a particular book. I enjoy hearing about the nuances or different angles people get from a given work.

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Whenever I read a book that has made some kind of impression on me, I want to share my thoughts on it.

I have a few friends who are avid readers and we do lightly discuss books we have mutually read. However, in our busy day-to-day lives, these conversations are short at best. A book club allows you to have discussions on books that are more lengthy. It is always interesting to hear about a book from another person's point of view too.

The bad thing about a book club, at least in the one I am currently thinking of not belonging to anymore, is having people in one because they are friends and not because they are serious readers. In my current club that has existed for a year and a half, at least 50% of the members either never have finished a selection or don't even bother to read it but come to the meeting anyway. The reason for this is that the person who started it picked friends without thought to their reading habits. I think these people should switch the reason for their meeting from Books to Bunko and I will move on!

Eileen from Virginia
When I belonged to the one club that I ever belonged to, I had problems with
the books that were chosen. I had already read most of them. I generally read current books, and I like to often be the first to read a newly released book. The club waited until a book was in paperback.

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I love being in a book club because of the friendships I have made with the 11 other participants, and I have read some fabulous books that I would have never picked on my own.

The downside of being in a book club is having to host. Although hosting responsibilities fall on each of us only once a year, we all want our night to be the best --- including the group's favorite wine and appetizers, desserts, etc. There is a bit of competition!

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What appeals to me about belonging in a reading group is that the group gets me to read some books that I would not ordinarily read. These books are usually quite challenging, and I am glad that I have read them despite the fact that I may literally have to force myself to finish them. I also like the discussion since the discussion leader brings good research to the group, and the discussion brings out many different perspectives on the book.

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I am not in a book club because I like to read the books I want to read, not what someone else has picked out for me. I have too many books on my list of reads already.

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I have belonged to several different reading groups and what I most enjoy is the chance to discuss books with other people who have been reading the same thing. It is also a nice way to broaden one's reading horizon by delving into books that I might not have picked for myself. Often interesting discussions come up when no one especially likes the book.

Breezy Gal
What I find annoying about a reading group is when participants talk among themselves and do not openly contribute comments or ideas to the rest of the group. They do not contribute to the flow of the discussion but hamper it by their murmuring.

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I love to read, so being in a book club gives me an opportunity to actually talk about books with people who also love to read. What a kick! I also enjoy my book club because I often end up reading books I never would have picked up. There are times when I don't particularly like the choice, but most of the time I do and I'm glad I read it.

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I'm not currently in a reading group, but I think that the best part would be to have a group of friends that are interested in the same things, and to have a discussion about something. The friendship would be the most important thing.

Tensy from Kansas City
I love the women in my Book Club. We have met as a group for close to 15 years. I enjoy the fact that since one person picks the book each month, I have been exposed to books that I would normally have never picked off the shelf. The main problem with our book club is also a result of our long friendships --- most of the members don't read the books and only attend to catch up with each other and their lives. I continue to read every book and am thrilled when one book resonates with everyone and the discussion takes off. Blink was one such book, and after two hours, everyone was still glued to their seats and reluctant to leave.

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I have been a Book Club Member for over 30 years. We started our club when Book Clubs were not very popular. We have added members and unfortunately lost members over the years. However, we have remained friends even though we have disagreed many times --- especially when a member dislikes the book of choice for that month. When the meeting is in your home, you are allowed to choose the next book. This seems to work for us and we like getting together, even though we have had our differences of opinion. Somehow, differences have made our club a success. 

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Appeals to me: Having the opportunity to learn about new books/authors and to share ideas/reactions with other readers.

Doesn't appeal to me: Reading on a schedule and possibly having to read books that aren't on the top of my list --- there are so many on my list already.

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Being in a book group is like having your cake and eating it too. I have been the discussion leader of a book group for over ten years. One learns so much from a discussion. Always, someone finds something in the book that I missed or didn't really think about. The sharing of thoughts and opinions gives so much meaning and understanding to a book.

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I have belonged to multiple book clubs throughout the years. It is a chance to meet and connect with new people --- many who become friends, to share my love of books and to discover new ones. In the last few years several online book clubs have emerged --- I have joined several --- and they offer a chance to explore new books and even the opportunity to win books or gifts. Also, they provide the chance to meet authors, which is a very, very interesting concept.

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What appeals to me is reading books with other readers and discussing the book. The one thing that irritates me is when people talk at once and are not discussing the book and talking about other things off-topic. I have found some ideas to help this, but they don't always work. I belong to another book club, which is an organizational book club that had 15 members last time. It was very hard to control members this way. But hopefully this was a one-time incident.

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I really enjoy being able to discuss a book that I really like with others. Sometimes, there is a piece of the story that I don't quite understand or that I wish was a little different. It helps to be able to hear other readers' points of view. Reading groups do not appeal to me for two reasons: 1) pace - people read at different paces. Some nights, I stay up and finish an entire novel. Other nights, I'm so busy that a week goes by before I'm able to finish reading a page or two. It is difficult to synchronize with the pace of all the other readers. 2) Interest - in my own group of friends (as with movies), it's hard to find books that no one has read yet that everyone is interested in reading together. We do pass books that we love (A Million Little Pieces, The Secret Life of Bees,The Kite Runner, etc.) onto one another, though.

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What I like best about the book club is getting other people's opinions on books and see how we agree and differ. Sometimes others will pick up on something that I completely missed. And, once in a great while, a book I did not like when I read it, I find I do like after the discussion.

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I am not currently in a book club but have been at my previous residence. I think that it's so much fun to be able to talk about a book with someone else who has read the book recently. It's such a disappointment to find someone who has read the same book so long ago that he/she doesn't remember a thing.

On the flip side, book clubs can be controlled (uh oh) by one or two people who won't let others even get a word in. Or, by the type of person who uses anything as a springboard to talk about his/her own life.

Overall, I highly recommend book clubs because it's a way to interact with others who may have an entirely different interpretation of the book read. Nowadays, with technology, we just don't interact with as many people and the communication of ideas is a "good thing," as Martha would say.

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We meet once a month and keep the organization loose. That works for me. I love to talk about books that I liked and to hear what others have read. Because of being in our book group, I have read books that I would never have considered. Some were great and others a chore, but I am glad that I have read each of them.

Frank from Omaha, NE
It's a matter of reading taste. I have almost more books to read than I have time for, and it's unlikely that a reading club would agree on the books I like. Therefore, I'd have to read yet another book to participate in the club discussions, which would take away from the reading I'd like to do. And I'm not particularly interested in what other folks think about a given book.

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I like being in a book club because it gives me a chance to get together with fellow book lovers, but I do not like the choices that some under-zealous readers choose, such as romance...yuck. I like the camaraderie and the hot tips of books that others are reading.

Beverly
I think that it can be wonderful to be in a book club if there are people willing to read a variety of topics of books. I got in a book club where one overbearing woman insisted that we all read sci-fi and fantasy, only because that was all she read. The book club failed over this one woman.

Lynn from Ellensburg
What appeals to me are the great friendships I have made through this group, and also, since we take turns choosing the books, I am "forced" to stretch my reading boundaries. Some books that I never, ever would have chosen to read have turned out to be ones that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Maryse from Washington D.C.
Like: To see if others had the same view as I did about what did and did not happen in the book. When their views differ from mine, it usually lends a new insight and more textured reading of the book.

Don't Like: Having to read bad books I otherwise would never have read.

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Having to read something I have no desire to read.

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What appeals to me about a book club is the opportunity to read material I normally would not read, the interaction with other avid readers, and the sharing of ideas. What does not appeal to me is the lack of structure to our book group and appointed leader/shared leadership.

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I thoroughly enjoy being in a book club. What I find most appealing is the great discussions we can have about a particular book that has been chosen. Different people can have different opinions, and that makes for a really good meeting. What I don't find appealing is when a member chooses a book that is just really "fluff," with no depth for a good discussion.

Judy from So. Cal.
I joined a book group, my first, four years ago. It is held in a local senior center but we are definitely not a bunch of old ladies! The best thing about a book group is the camaraderie of book lovers. I find that I've learned to read more carefully. It has also helped my memory, and listening to the interpretations of others has expanded my mind and my reading comprehension.

Joining my book group is one of the best things I've ever done for myself.

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I enjoy being in my reading group. I read books that I sometimes might not have actually chosen myself. I enjoy sharing and participating in the dissecting of the book. I also enjoy the camaraderie of the women at the monthly meeting.

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Being in a book club allows one to get a different or another perspective on a book that you might not get reading it alone. This is especially true if the book is one that you wouldn't normally read. Being in a book club allows people to stretch their reading tastes by reading genres or topics that they may not have thought of or are unfamiliar with. There is a certain camaraderie in being with people who enjoy and appreciate reading and books.

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The thing I like best is sharing thoughts about books, especially characters and character development. The thing I like the least about my book club is how often we go off-topic. A lot of times, I find myself calling someone from the club the next day to talk about the BOOK!

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I belong to one book club and am starting up another. I love them and like to use reading guides to stimulate the conversation. I love it when we have a spirited discussion on a book, regardless of whether we agree or not. Sometimes the titles we disagree on are more thought-provoking than those we agree on because it gives me a different perspective.

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My reading is very eclectic and most reading clubs are devoted to one type of genre. My wife and I are both retired and we share the books we read. I am a retired librarian and I do most of the book selection for us when we go to the library.

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A reading group is great in many different ways. Making new friends and reading books always go hand in hand. I can't imagine not being in one.

The only bad aspect of book clubs is if people don't finish the book that has been chosen. It makes the book group uneasy and the conversation boring.

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I like reading groups because it gets you interested in books you might not think you would like. We pick a book from each genre, and though some members balk at having to read a classic, I think it broadens the reading experience.

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I polled my book club with your question --- "What about being in a reading group appeals or does not appeal to you?"

The most frequent reason given was that they were glad to be introduced to books that they may never have read otherwise --- from new authors to new genres and subjects. The answers came in varying forms: "I was stuck on reading just mysteries (fill in the blanks here: nonfiction, suspense, same old authors...)."  

A close second was the camaraderie in the group. We have 15 members with a wide range of reading interests, and we seldom have fewer than 12 show up each month. We have a wonderful time and several new friendships have evolved from the book club. It is also rare for there to be a unanimous love or hate reaction to any given book, so our debates are lively. It is the one event I genuinely look forward to each month. 

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What I love about my club: Discussing a book is great. One sentence can evoke so many different interpretations or responses, which is mind-opening. And it's cool to hang around with your friends!

The thing I don't like is sometimes being stuck having to read a "clunker."

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Some time ago I quit my reading group. The reason --- it took time away from the books I really wanted to read. It became a homework assignment; especially when it was a book that I had no interest in at all. 

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The reason I like being in a book club is that I have read books that I never would have chosen myself. The books turned out to be great. For example: The Kite Runner, Wicked, Memoirs of a Geisha, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Life of Pi, etc.

It is fun getting together once per month at someone's house --- we eat a little bit, discuss the book, and we laugh and have fun.

It also gets me out of the house and I have been able to get to know my co-workers better and meet new friends of my co-workers.