(you) Set Me On Fire

I host a monthly book club and I'm having a lot of trouble with people cancelling, not reading the book, not prioritizing coming etc. Is this a chronic book club issue? Does anyone have any advice? I'm not sure what to do. I keep trying to add new people but the same problems keep occurring.

Lindy Have you asked for individual feedback? Could be book choices, incompatibility dynamics between members, scheduling, or just a bad combination of circumstances. 9y

Leelee08 Yes, I think it's a problem in all book clubs. Mine is the same way. Life gets in the way, and people have tons of excuses. You'll eventually weed out the ones who don't prioritize. It's annoying, though. I feel ya. 9y

OneLitChick Hi there, sorry you are experiencing this! I have run a book club group for over 13 years. We have had some member transition, but sit at an average of 10 members with strong attendance each month.

Here‘s some ideas off the top of my head: 9y

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OneLitChick Club Goals: Meet with the core group and share your goals for the club – active participation, actually talking about the books, types of books read, selection process, attendance etc., and confirm that the folks you have invited share those goals. 9y

OneLitChick Meeting Schedule: I am not sure when/how you meet, but it might also help to meet the same time each month (my club meets on the second Monday of the month). Friday nights or weekend brunch discussions can often not work because of people‘s schedules. We typically have 8-9 attendance. 9y

OneLitChick Hosting: Each month we have a different host. The host is responsible for either mandating her choice or bringing up to 3 choices. We vote or learn or fate two months in advance. The host selects where we will meet (we are in a large city and spread out) and facilitates the discussion. 9y

OneLitChick Hosting, part 2: This creates ownership and accountability and keeps people involved. They can do whatever they want for the discussion. We have had just a list of questions to questions on slips of paper that people draw out of a bowl. It‘s up to the host. 9y

OneLitChick Communication: While we have a different host each month, I handle all club communication. It‘s easier for the group to have a single point of contact. So, the week before the meeting I send an email to the host requesting the location for the discussion. 9y

OneLitChick Communication, part 2: Then I send the group an ACTION REQUIRED! email with the details and request to RSVP either way by the Friday prior. I give the host the final count over the weekend and she can finalize the reservation with the restaurant. At the end of the discussion, we remind everyon 9y

OneLitChick Comm, or 3: At the end of the discussion, we remind everyone of next month‘s book and vote or get the mandate for the book that will be two month‘s out. That evening, after book club, I send the group a note titled: What You Should Be Reading for Month and Month with the dates and links to books. 9y

OneLitChick And then it all starts up again three weeks later. It's a bit of handholding and over communication. But it seems to work for our group. Hope this helps! 9y

Bibliogeekery @OneLitChick - thanks so much! It is really helpful to hear what has worked for what sounds like a very successful book club! Definitely gonna rethink some of our structure based on your comments! 9y

Bibliogeekery @Lindy - I have check 9y

Bibliogeekery @Lindy - oops! I have checked in with people but perhaps it's time to do it again. I started using online booking software for dates and online polls to pick books and that seemingly helped but then people keep bailing - even for days when they said they could come 9y

Bibliogeekery I truly think one of the issues is that I am the biggest book nerd I know. I need more book nerd friends Irl 😀 9y

ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled I know this is not helpful at all, but I wish I could enlarge this pic just a smidge so I can read all the spines. Lots of books I love, though! 9y

Bibliogeekery @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled.com - ha! I'll do a bigger shot of this shelf when the light is better. I love peeking at shelves too! 9y

OneLitChick @Bibliogeekery I'm a book nerd and a bossypants, so it works out. My group teases me but also says we wouldn't be going this long and strong without the structure. Cheers for friendly control freaks! 9y

OneLitChick I should add one more note: we have expectations: that members will attend the majority of meetings, three misses in a row, I reach out and confirm intent/availability to continue. You don't have to have read or finished the book to attend, but we don't adjust the convo to avoid spoilers. 9y

OneLitChick One of our members just asked the group if she could take a 3-month sabbatical to study for a work-related certification. She will still attend, but won't likely read the books because of the amount of reading she'll be doing for her test. So, while I've made it sound kinda hard ass, it's not. 9y

OneLitChick We just have everyone on the same page... Pun intended. And whenever we add someone new, which is only if someone leaves, we go over the process and expectations in advance. A guest can attend two discussions before officially joining and being incorporated into the hosting schedule. 9y

OneLitChick If it wasn't clear I'm a total book nerd, these posts should certainly confirm it! 😉 9y

SaraFair @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled.com - if you wanted, you can do a screen shot and then enlarge. I have the same nosiness and want to see them all! 9y

Bibliogeekery @OneLitChick - you are really inspiring me to harness my inner bossy pants! I like the idea of clear expectations. I think I've been too loosey goosey with the whole thing. Thanks for your insights! 9y

Lizpixie @ErickaS_Flyleafunfurled.com so it's not just me who's a stickybeak! I love seeing what other people are reading. 9y

OneLitChick Do it! Those into it will appreciate you for it and those who don't well, let them go. You can be nice and a bossypants! Good luck and keep us posted! 9y

Bibliogeekery #queerbooks 9y

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