Book Club Etiquette – Read Before Your First Book Club Meet

Being a part of a club that comes with the opportunity to interact with other bibliophiles is a dream come true for most bookworms. Nowadays, it is relatively simple to start a book club, be it a virtual one or in person. The challenge typically comes in keeping it exciting enough for everyone to take something away from it. Whether it is coming up with book discussion questions or hosting the perfect meeting, a bit of planning can make your book club meet a comforting activity that you eagerly await every month.

For a book club to function efficiently, it needs to have an order in place that differs depending on where you are and how you want to structure the event. However, as a member, it is your responsibility to follow book club etiquette above and beyond the club’s basic rules. By maintaining the correct book club etiquette, you can help keep the meeting’s focus on reading and discussing books, creating an environment that is nurturing and filled with bookish enthusiasm.

Read the Book

You've joined a book club, so reading the book assigned is an integral part of the entire exercise. Attending a meeting without completing the novel shows a lack of interest and can be considered impolite by other members. Therefore, when you decide to partake in an activity, give it extra consideration and finish reading the book of the month before the due date, allowing yourself ample time to make some notes on it.

Be Honest

There will be occasions when you are unable to read a book due to personal reasons, and in such instances, it’s best to let your fellow clubbers know about it. More importantly, you must be honest when it comes to reviewing the book. Often, from fear of standing out, members agree with the popular opinion, even if they think otherwise about the story. The whole idea of a book club is to encourage debates and differences in views. Thus, be sincere about your feelings and talk about the book freely. You’ll be surprised how supportive your fellow book lovers can be.

Be On-Time

Being on time is both a book club etiquette as well as one that we should follow in every aspect of our lives. Every member of the club has prior commitments, and by coming in late, you can disrupt the schedule resulting in a lackluster and short exchange. Similarly, unless an emergency, make sure you stay until the end of the discussion, as leaving early might also be considered ill-mannered by the host.

Keep an Open Mind

One reason for joining a book club is to have positive, knowledgeable, and enlightening conversations with other bookworms. Therefore, be open-minded about the different opinions that members express during the conversation. Not everyone will think the same, be it about the story, the characters, or the meaning of a poem you read. Diversity in opinion is perfectly okay and you should accept it with grace.

Respect other Members

Sometimes a book affects us in such a manner that we have a lot we wish to discuss. However, in a book club setting, others want to have their say too. When talking, stick to the time allotted to you. When others speak, try not to interrupt. It is both respectful on your part and also allows members to not lose their chain of thought. If you have a counterpoint, make a note of it and bring it up when they finish.

Interact

Whether it is your first meeting or tenth, proper book club etiquette requires that you make an effort to interact with other members and not just stick with your friends or the people you know. The exchanges during the get-together are typically about the book, but you can talk about general topics before and after the main discussion.

It is also acceptable to take the conversation further, by going out for a coffee if you feel that there is more you want to discuss with a particular member. After all, book clubs are ideal for meeting a book-buddy, someone you can have never-ending bookish conversations with at any time of the day.

Bring a Gift

In case the event is taking place at a member’s home, book club etiquette suggests that you bring a gift for them. It doesn’t have to be expensive; from a bottle of wine to some homemade cookies or a box of chocolates, anything will do.

Let's Talk About the Book

A book club meeting is typically organized in such a fashion that there is ample time for members to talk about the book and also interact casually. Therefore, it is essential that you only talk about the book during the main discussion. Going off on a tangent, sharing personal anecdotes, or even mentioning other books not related to the current read can upset the conversation's flow and your fellow club-mates.

The More the Merrier

The bigger your book club community, the better. Feel free to invite other bibliophiles to your meetings, but only after checking with the host. Bringing along an extra participant without informing can break the dynamics of the talk, put pressure on the host, and make everyone, including your guest, feel awkward. Thus, proper book club etiquette is to inform the club in advance. Also, send a copy of the rules to your guest, so they know what to expect.

Come Prepared

Although a book club host will have all aspects of the bookish rendezvous covered, including having a set of book discussion questions, it is still nice to bring your own personal notes with you. Not only does it show that you've read the book, it also highlights your interest in the bookclub discussions.

Discussions, not Arguments

For the sake of the book club's longevity, every member should make extra effort to avoid any and all confrontations. Problems can arise due to difference in opinions, people gossiping behind each other's back, or when selecting the next month's book. Keeping your conversations limited to your current read and allowing everyone to choose a book one after another are simple and effective solutions that can help avoid unnecessary stress.

Eat, Drink, and Read!

Bookish talks surprisingly go rather well with good food. When hosting a successful book club, it’s nice to have snacks and drinks that complement both intense and light-hearted discussions. In addition to that, it's fun to relax and sip on some fine wine when chit-chatting with friends. Still, when following book club etiquette, your focus should be on discussing the book of the month, and not limited to eating and drinking.

Be Present!

The biggest annoyance during a book club gathering is phones going off after regular intervals. Book club etiquette does not get any simpler than this - switch off your phone and be present. If expecting an urgent call, keep your mobile on silent mode, and quietly leave the room when you have to pick it up.

By following the above book club etiquette, you can become an engaged and admired member of your book club. Moreover, it allows the book club to operate smoothly, with every member who diligently follows book club etiquette becoming an active part of the group.