Hints and Tips For Reading Groups
Reading Group Home | Books Home
Some groups find themselves stuck in a book rut, not knowing what to read next, and choosing the same type of books that all members read anyway. Below are a few ways that you could try to choose something different, and maybe challenge your group a bit more!
The
Reading Group Collection
Multiple copies of a selection of specially chosen fiction titles available only to Reading Groups. Try them out - they are bound to get the discussion going!
Find out more about the Reading Group Collection here
Why not try one of the many booklists?
The library staff create regular booklists to highlight books that are new or
unusual or they just like! Follow the link below to see all the booklists
that have been created and click on a list name to see the books included.
There is even a list of Reading Group favourites!
What would you never, ever read?
This is always a good place to start. Are you put off by certain authors because they write a certain type of book? It's worth trying something you would never pick up, as you might be pleasantly surprised! This is also how you can choose from authors that you have avoided in the past. Then again, if you hate it, at least you can discuss why you hated it.
Try a different genre
Many of our libraries have genre sections and others label books with genre stickers, so it's easy to decide on what genre you might try. Why not try some Science Fiction, for example? Have a look over the shelves to see what is there. You might also be able to find some recommendations in our book lists. You may all hate, and be put off that genre for ever, but at least you'll have a reason why!
Try some non-fiction
There are a lot of excellent non-fiction titles, some of which can be found in our Reading Group Collections. You could try biographies, history or travel books. Why not all choose a different title, or books on the same theme, and then swap around after discussion if you like the sound of someone else's? Perhaps you could all read the Biography of someone that you have a mutual loathing for, and then find that they are your new hero!
Read titles by the same author
Try choosing some different titles by the same author, then compare and contrast the books. This makes discussion very interesting when you consider things like where the author was at the time they wrote the book, what was happening in their life, or whether it was their first novel or more recent.
Two books per meeting
You could choose two books which have a similar theme by different authors, even from completely different eras. For example Nightingale's Nest has some similar themes to The Portrait, even though they are from completely different authors, and set in different places. Once discussion starts the similarities (and the differences!) make interesting discussion, as you consider why such themes are relevant then and now.
E-Audio
Bedford Borough Libraries and Central Bedfordshire
Libraries work together to provide the E-Audio service. Listen
to high quality spoken word electronically on your PC or portable device. Access over 600 best selling titles and with a
few clicks download them onto your PC, then transfer them to your own personal
player to enjoy wherever and whenever you want.
Click here to find out more about the E-Audio service.
Children's
and teen's books
There are some amazing new children's and teen's books around at the moment, so here's the perfect excuse to try some of them. Alternatively, why not read a book that you really enjoyed in your youth. What does it mean to you now? Do you look at the themes differently? Is it still a favourite?
The Virtual Library
Make sure you explore all the book lists and suggestions in the Books section, and remember to have a look at the Books and Reading websites on Weblinks.
Why not try the online resource Who Else Writes Like...?, a readers guide to fiction authors. If you enjoy reading fiction it can help you to find new writers that you might enjoy, and help answer the perennial question I've read all the books by my favourite authors, who shall I read next?
Use the resources available in the library
Remember you can always ask to see the following reference books and magazines in the library or online -
- Who Else Write Like?
- Adult Sequels
- New Books Magazine - www.newbooksmag.com
- Bookseller - www.thebookseller.com
- Whichbook.net - www.whichbook.net
Or you could try using some of the guides that have been written especially for reading groups or people that just enjoy books, available to borrow or request in the library.
Page last updated: 24th February 2014