Joining a book club is a hobby with double benefits.

There are groups that read fiction, mysteries, autobiographies, you name it.

They can be formal or informal, the mix of members varies widely.

A group of friends and I decided to start an informal reading group. It was surprisingly easy and has worked beautifully. And we called it...

We get together about once a month to every six weeks. We take turns hosting the meetings in our own homes. The person who will be hosting next time proposes a few books and we choose one.

The host is responsible for providing the snacks and drinks.

We try to serve wine or other drinks that have some connection with the book we chose. For example, we were reading Staying On by Paul Scott – about a couple who stay on in India when many of their British circle decided to go home.

What could be more British Raj than gin and tonic? So gin and tonic was available for that meeting, along with wine.

We don’t really have any formal rules. The general procedure is this.

We start at 7.30, and plan to finish by 10pm. When we first get together, we chat a bit and catch up on each other’s news. Then gradually after twenty minutes or so we start discussing the book we chose.

After about an hour and a bit, we wind up the discussion. Then we ponder over the choices our next host is proposing.

An unexpected bonus of joining this book club was seeing how differently people react to the same book. It gives you great food for thought, and you start seeing the world a new way.

How to find a group to join

If that doesn’t turn up anything, why not start one yourself? Try placing a small ad on a local bulletin board or in a community newspaper.

You will find a ton of resources about finding or starting your own group by searching online.

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