Book Discussion Groups: History and General Resources
About
-- Christy Craig, PhD, assistant professor of sociology, Fort Hays State University
Many libraries administer one or more book discussion groups, create resources for book groups in their community, or provide meeting space for book discussions. This guide provides general information about book groups, and resources for starting and guiding book discussion groups, as well as bibliographies on facilitating book discussion groups and selecting titles to discuss.
General Resources
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Book BrowseBookBrowse is an online magazine for booklovers - including reviews, previews, "behind the book" backstories, author interviews, reading guides, and much more.
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Book Lust Book Group GuidelinesFrom famed librarian Nancy Pearl.
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LitLoversBook Club resources with reading guides, suggestions for titles, tips for running groups.
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Reader's CircleA book club networking site with listings for local groups and author events.
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Reading Group GuidesAn online community for reading groups, with title suggestions, links to discussion guides, and other resources.
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Spotlight Book GroupsBookmark the Blog from Reading Group Choices features monthly book discussion group spotlights, to provide inspiration to other groups.
Organizations that Promote Reading Programs
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Book Up from the National Book FoundationDuring after-school and summer programs, BookUp connects middle- and high-school students with local authors and runs free reading groups designed to improve participants’ social, emotional, and literacy skills. Young people also interact directly with the local literary community through author visits and field trips to libraries, museums, and bookstores.
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Great Books Foundation: Book Groups & CouncilsAn independent, nonprofit educational organization that creates reading and discussion programs for students, teachers, and adult learners.
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Library of Congress Center for the BookPromotes books, reading, libraries and literacy through its programs in Washington and by working closely with its Affiliate Centers for the Book in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa and Northern Marianas.
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NEA Big ReadNEA Big Read annually supports approximately 75 dynamic community reading programs, each designed around a single NEA Big Read selection. Offers grants and programming resources.
Historical Note
Book groups have their origins in 18th century Parisian salons and 19th century Victorian parlors. In The Book Group Book: A Thoughtful Guide to Forming and Enjoying a Stimulating Book Discussion Group, Ellen Slezak says in the foreword, “In book groups, like-minded souls gather; what they have in common seems to be that a) they can read, b) they like to read, and c) they like to talk about what they have read.” Helen Hooven Santmyer's ... And Ladies of the Club chronicles a 19th century study circle.
According to ALA's Brad Hooper, the oldest--and still running--book club as we know them today may be the Mattoon Women's Reading Club, founded in Mattoon, Illinois, in 1877. Jess McHugh has also outlined the historical convergence of book discussion groups and the beginnings of women's rights groups, saying "[an] avowed interest in expanding women’s freedoms was often a driving force behind these groups."
In the early 20th century - with book ownership becoming more accessible with mass-market paperbacks and mail order book subscriptions like Book of the Month Club - book discussion groups also expanded, encouraging participants to "explore big ideas through books never went away."
In 1996, Oprah's Book Club ushered in the modern era of the book club, emphasizing "the idea of self-improvement through reading." Celebrity book clubs have since abounded, while the next generation of book discussion - celebrity and otherwise - is increasingly taking place virtually on social media platforms.
