This Ain’t Your Grandma’s Tea Party

But if it was your grandma's tea party, I bet it would still be well-attended.Reading can be a lonely passion. Rarely are you enjoying the same books as your friends at the same time. Needless to say that telling people about your favourite novels that they’ve never read can be painful and dull. Book clubs fortunately resolve the social conundrum of reading. They are a good way to share your beloved writers and expose yourself to titles you’ve never encountered with the added bonus of having people to discuss your literary adventures with. Sadly, I hear more stories of failed attempts at literary societies than roars of triumph. There’s always one meeting that goes “kind of well” and then people lose interest. As a member of a long-standing monthly book club, I’ve assembled some tips to help those interested in starting a book club but who are still scratching their heads and wondering why their ventures get lost in the miasma of busy life.1.    Lay Down Some Ground RulesMost things that people find fun (like games or sports) have a basic structure or a set of rules that ensures maximum enjoyment. Most clubs and societies have some basic tenets that allow for regularity and fairness. Rules can and should include: selection processes for club “presidents” and “officers;” protocol for inviting (and accepting) new members; and procedures for book selection. While having a set of rules may appear to zap all the fun out of a social club, it actually enables members to be fully aware of how the club functions. As a result, the club will run more efficiently without members having to constantly argue over how things should be done.2.    Take Them to Your LeaderWhile the idea of an ungoverned club may inspire the revolutionaries reading this post, in reality, it’s a verified death wish. Someone (or preferably some people) needs to be responsible for organizing meetings and for keeping members in check. By all means, use a democratic process to choose these people, but if you’re the one starting the club, place that crown on your head and don’t shy away from leading. People will thank you for it.3.    Stay RegularNo, I am not talking about your daily fibre intake (but this is also very important). Decide how often your group meets, on what days of the week, what time, and stick to it. Once you start fudging the schedule to accommodate your members’ neighbourhood potlucks, you’ll find that the club can crumble. If you want to be a monthly club, meet monthly, regardless of how many people will attend. Alternate location meetings so that you don’t overwhelm someone with constant hosting. As well, changing locations ensures that people are taking responsibility for the book club and that you’re keeping the dialogue fresh by providing new and exciting settings, food, and libations. If you’re having trouble settling on a date, follow this rule of thumb: the host decides.4.    Use Facebook I am not a spokesperson for this Internet mega-corporation, but the usefulness of social media cannot be stressed enough. Use Facebook to create a group for the club where your members can communicate. Use Facebook to create events for every meeting. This way, hosts can see how many people to expect, how much food to prepare, and club leaders can see who is too lazy to RSVP with the click of a mouse. If any of your members abstain from Facebook, you can always tie a note to a pigeon and hope for the best.5.    Be Unique and Be ProudOprah picks the money-makers. What books will you read? I greatly discourage having a general book club that reads anything and everything, at least right off the bat. In my book club, we vote bi-annually to select six works that we will read during the months ahead. There is a Masterlist on our Facebook page to which any member can add a suggestion at any time. All of the books have something or other to do with our theme. Themes can be genre-based, author-based (a club that reads books exclusively written by women, for example) or historically based (pre-20^th century texts). Or, you can look for certain themes that unite a group of works based on their content. “Animals in Literature” or “Sex and Eroticism in Literature,” for example. Please note that “Books by Serious Heterosexual Guys” is not a good theme. For anything.Once your club has found its rhythm then you can consider branching out. As well, try alternating the book length. Reading a novel every month can be too much for busy people so consider switching between novels and short stories. When no one has read the book, a club meeting can fall a little flat. Finally, don’t forget to be proud. Have a logo, have a pin, have a handshake, whatever makes you want to brag about your super-exclusive secret society.6.    Be DifferentEveryone loves to discuss literature over a glass (or five) of wine, but you want to keep the club interesting. Consider watching cinematic adaptations of your book or going to the movies as a group. Fun outings and field trips to museums give you more to talk about and solidify your social dynamic. Once you’ve got a good track record, plan trips with your club and enjoy each other’s company in places you’ve never been to before.7.    Choose Your Members WiselyAs appealing as it may seem, having a club with your best friends may not be such a good idea. Consider starting a club with classmates or with a group of people that aren’t lifelong buddies. By doing so you can avoid cliques, personal drama, and boredom. Although I am friends with all of my book club members, sometimes I only get to see them at book club. This gives me something very special to look forward to and lots to talk about since we’re not always in the know about the latest gossip. Also, make sure you’re choosing the right people for your club. Do not invite: flakes, trolls, and bullies. Being part of a club is a privilege and your members should take it seriously.Hopefully these tips will give you the structure and inspiration you need to start your own successful book club. Please feel free to add your suggestions in the comments section or to ask specific questions. Good luck and happy clubbing!