Adventures in Book Clubbing

Those who know me, know that I am a rabid book lover! Conversations in our household are a little one sided when it comes to discussions about movies, and television shows. If the movie didn't predate the 80's, and the television show isn't educationally based, or a Hannah Barbara cartoon -- I probably can't tell you a thing about it. In one of our favorite family games, of name that person, it took me over two months to figure out who David Archuletta was.

Simply put, I am your traditional book loving junkie! If the television is on, I will have the book open. I never go anywhere without a book in my hand. (And yes, that does include the restroom, restaurant, doctor's offices, and family dinners.) I came across a comment on Goodreads, "You know your a book addict when your family stages and intervention, and you don't hear a word they say because you are too busy reading." I laughed so hard, I was crying. And I am completely conviced that God invented red lights, and construction zones for book lovers, who just can't seem to put their books down. I'd like to tell you I don't want you to get the wrong idea -- but there is only one idea to get. Children have their security blankets, and I have my books.

So a few months ago, my sister and I decided we were going to get serious about starting a book club. I use that term in the loosest form possible, since at the time the "club" consisted of my sister, and myself. However, we were quickly joined by her daughter, our brother, and his wife. I know, I still don't know that you would say that qualifies as club status as of yet. But it is where we have begun.

I figured that putting a book club together would be easy! How hard can it be to pick a book and read it over the next month. Little did I know. There were many concerns, and difficulties that we encountered, which we are still working out.

First off -- the biggest issue is the speed at which everyone reads. This book is comprised of people that have been in the habit of reading, maybe one book a year. There are those that read regularly -- but it still takes them a while to get through a book. There is a mother with four little children, and a little girl that is nine years old. And then there is me -- the person that doesn't know anything about the world around her, because I can't manage to put a book down. Time was certainly a concern. They were worried about slowing me down -- and I was worried about rushing them. And I won't even go into the problem of how far apart we all live!

Then there was the issue of deciding on books. I had no idea that this could be such a chore. Not only is the list of books we want to read long enough to last us for the next three years, but the preferences are so varied that it is amazing that we ever come to a consensus! This process turned into an hour long chore, and then we would finally just settle on something because we were all so tired of trying to come up with a a universal choice.

And then there is always the challenge of what is appropriate to read. With a nine year old in the mix, it is turely a challenge, with the books that are out there today. I don't want her to feel left out, and she is genuinely excited about participating. But not all books are age appropriate. Some are even questionable for adults!

So with all of this to considered, I was amazed at the difficulties that we have encountered. But we have managed to keep it going. And we have been learning along the way. So, long end short -- here is my purpose: I need some input, and or suggestions.

1. What are some good ways of choosing books for book clubs? We have discussed the option of themes, and genres -- but I don't know that we have stumbled across the answer yet.

2. How do other book clubs organize their groups? Yearly selections, month to month, or some other way that we haven't managed to come across yet?

3. Finally, what have you found that works for you?