Guidelines for the Group of ‘97 Bookgroup

At our meeting on March 29 2007, we discussed the need to have some guidelines for group discussion. This should help to keep discussions on track. We could also give this to new members, so they know how we operate.

Those who weren't at the meeting can email me your comments, thanks Julia

These are the Guidelines for the Group of ‘97 Bookgroup

The format of our meetings is pretty informal, but we try to follow some guidelines for discussion:

The person who has chosen the book “chairs” the meeting and introduces the book prior to any wider discussion.

Points for the chair to cover in book group discussion can be:

§ Background: eg why you chose the book
§ Author’s biography
§ What are the main theme(s)?
§ What style is used?
§ Characters and their development
§ Plot and narrative
§ Setting and related historical data
§ The book’s conclusion. Does it work?
§ Summing up. Overall impression

To assist discussion, the chair may introduce some reviews or pose some questions to group. Members should refrain from interrupting until the chair has finished.

The book group size of between 6 and 8 seems to work best. Suggested names for new members are discussed and agreed by the group. We keep a list of members’ addresses, phone numbers and email addresses.

At the end of the year we rate the books and come up with a best books 1-3 rating. We could also rate them after each meeting.

Meetings are usually held at 5 or 6 weekly intervals on a Thursday night starting at 7.30pm