We love hosting our friends for fun activities. This week we’re dividing up the blog posts, and each sharing ideas for different get togethers. Christa shared her Movie Night ideas and I’m sharing my tips on how to host a book club (or start one).
Where to Begin
I’ve been in the same book club for 23 years. Eeeek… I can’t believe it’s been that long! And before that I was in a book club with a few of the girls I worked with. I love to read and honestly being in a book club has prompted me to read books the I never would have picked up if it hadn’t been for “the club”.
If you aren’t in a book club, host a one off. Pick a date, select a book and send an email to five friends asking them to read the same book. If you enjoy it, have another person pick the next book/location. Voila! You have started a book club.
Host a Book Club with Friends
There are many ways to host a book club, none of which are wrong. Meet at a restaurant and go dutch, you can go for lunch/coffee while the kids are at school or you can host in your home. My book club meets on the third Tuesday of the month at the home of the person who’s book selection we are reading. No right or wrong way to host a book club, find what works for you and be consistent.
- We have twelve members and at the December meeting everyone picks their month for next year.
- The month before you are hosting you bring 3-5 selections to the meeting and we vote.
- My club serves a full dinner and drinks. (One year we went with theme meals based on the book!) While having dinner is really fun when you’re NOT the host, it can be stressful the one time each year you are hosting.
- If a meal for twelve is out of your wheel house, serve appetizers or dessert and open a few bottles of wine and bubbly water.
- As I always say — no one is judging your messy kitchen or the quality of the meal, they are just super excited to be there and NOT cooking.
Why Host a Book Club?
My favorite benefit of being in a book club is hands down the relationships that I have developed with these women over the years. Together we’ve had babies, celebrated and mourned, said goodbye to those moving and welcomed new members. One moved and then came back! For me, it’s been such a gift to have those that have gone before me advise on any given subject, especially in the new driver phase.
Books
I tend to stay in my lane when it comes to reading. Light and happy, a mystery or two and then a couple of times a year I’ll take on a biggie. I love to keep my top 10 list in my head at all times. One of the greatest results of being in a book club is that you are reading books that other people choose 11 times each year. There have been so many books that I would have NEVER picked up that are on my top 10 list of all time. (I’m looking at you, Gargoyle.)
Our Book Club Book Recommendations
If you need a little inspiration to get started, here are a few books that we think would cultivate awesome book club discussions.
Megan’s Books
- I Have Some Questions for You: A Novel
- Crossing to Safety
- Le Divorce
- Just Like You
- Bel Canto
Christa’s Books
- All the Little Raindrops: A Novel
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
- One True Loves: A Novel
- Cassandra in Reverse
- Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?: A Novel
For more book recommendations, check out our 2024 monthly book picks.
What to Wear
When my kids were little I would have the sitter come early so I could shower and blow my hair dry before book club. It felt like such an indulgence but really it was the best self care. I got to feel like myself before I went to hang with my book girlies. Really, anything goes. Sometimes I just switch my tee shirt for a blouse and put on lipstick, either way I feel better when I make an effort before I go.
Reading “Successories”
Everyone has their own perspective on the best way to read: kindle, paperback, hardback, iPad, Audible. The truth is reading is reading (even if you listen). Reading improves your vocabulary, critical thinking and problem solving, the more you read the better writer you become. AND being an avid reader means you have endless things to discuss at an awkward cocktail party. Sharing some of our must have reading accessories (or successories as we like to call them). Perfect gifts for the reader in your life.
Shop the SaF Book Club
Planning to host a book club? Looking for more articles about what to read?
- What are the benefits of reading?
- Most Popular Book Club Picks in January 2023
- NYT Best Sellers List October 2023
Looking for more fun party ideas to host for your friends? Check out these ideas, perfect any time of the year!
- Care Package Party – create a Halloween or final exam package to show them you’re thinking about them. It’s fun to see what everyone brings to add to the boxes!
- Flower Arranging Party – try a flower arranging party with fall or Christmas flowers. You could even consider bringing your arrangements to a local senior center.
- How to Host a Movie Night – Christa’s sharing her tips for what to do, serve, wear and watch for a movie night with your friends.
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Love love love love!!!!! Well done Ms. Megan. xoxo
Thanks Trish! Let us know if you start an Ox bookclub.