Book Clubs

Are you part of a book club, or would like to start one?

If there’s one thing we hear from our readers, it’s the desire to reconnect with others in community.

One amazing way to do that is to read books in a book club.

If you do, let Lake Drive Books help you get our books at a discount to you and your club members, and let us help you schedule a time with one of our authors!

Here’s how it works:

• • Discuss with your book club members whether they would like to read books by one of our Lake Drive authors. Tell them they will be able to purchase a discounted copy for delivery and that you can schedule a live video conference with the author, provided they are available.
  • Find your Lake Drive book on our website, click on the “buy” button, and look for the Lake Drive Direct price. Most of those titles with this option are discounted by $5 or $6 dollars!
  • Contact us on our contact page, include your email, and let us know that you’d like to schedule a time with the author, and we’ll be in touch to help make arrangements. You will be responsible for setting up the video conferencing.

Pretty simple! We’d love to hear from you on this. Let us know if you have any questions.

Also, for those of you new to book clubs, or those who might want a refresher, below is a simple outline of how to set up and run a book club.

Starting and Running a Book Club

Starting and running a book club can be a rewarding way to share your love of reading with others and engage in stimulating discussions. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Define Your Goals and Format

Purpose: Decide on the main goals of the book club. Is it to explore new genres, discuss literary themes, or simply enjoy social time with fellow readers? Format: Determine the format of the club. Will it be in-person, virtual, or a hybrid? How often will you meet (e.g., monthly, bi-weekly)?

2. Gather Interested Members

Recruitment: Reach out to friends, family, or colleagues who might be interested. You can also use social media, local community boards, or bookshops to find members. Sometimes you can simply join a club at a local library. Size: Aim for a manageable size; typically, 6-12 members work well, allowing everyone to participate without feeling overwhelmed.

3. Choose a Book Selection Process

Voting: Let members suggest and vote on books. This way, everyone has a say in what gets read. Curator: Have a designated person choose the books, rotating the responsibility among members.

4. Plan the First Meeting

Agenda: Plan an agenda for the first meeting. Discuss the book selection process, meeting frequency, and other logistics. Book Choice: If you haven’t chosen a book yet, use the first meeting to select one together.

5. Organize Meetings

Location: If in-person, choose a convenient and comfortable location. For virtual meetings, select a reliable platform (Zoom, Google Meet, etc.). Discussion: Prepare discussion questions to guide the conversation. Encourage members to share their thoughts, opinions, and questions about the book.

6. Create a Supportive Environment

Respect: Foster an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable sharing their views. Respect differing opinions and encourage open dialogue. Engagement: Keep meetings engaging with varied activities like author studies, themed snacks, or related films.

7. Maintain Communication

Updates: Send out reminders about meeting dates, book selections, and any changes. Use email, social media, or a group messaging app. Feedback: Regularly seek feedback from members to improve the experience and address any issues.

8. Have Fun and Stay Flexible

Adapt: Be open to changing things up if something isn’t working. Flexibility can help keep the club enjoyable and relevant. Celebrate: Celebrate milestones, such as anniversaries or reading achievements, to build camaraderie and keep morale high.

By focusing on these steps, you’ll create a book club that’s both enjoyable and enriching for everyone involved. Happy reading!