What's Working: Read Your Own Choice Book Clubs

 

Photo by Ed Robertson on Unsplash

Book Clubs don't always read the same book. In fact, not reading the same book can help people connect across differences. At Gale Library, Book Review Circle is one such group that's helping older adults come together in Newton. Director Michelle Baker (no relation to your blog host 🙂) reports:

"They don't all read the same book, but at each meeting they share about what books they have read since the last meeting. It allows our non-fiction reader to participate equally with the fiction readers. Also, many of the members are already part of other book clubs and they did not want to add another "mandatory" book to their monthly reading. This way they can read for other book clubs and read according to their own interests but still gather together monthly. 

In our case, it's a loud, happy group and they always bring snacks to share (I think they're louder than our storytime crew, lol). It's not limited to older adults, but since it's on a Friday morning that's who we see. Some strong friendships have developed from the group." 

If your library hosts a similar "read your own choice" book club, please share in the comments!