A quick rea OVER the past few months, I’ve received sev- eral e-mails and phone calls from fellow readers looking for more infor- mation on book clubs. As F mentioned in one of my earlier coluinns, there is a plethora of information on reading groups out there: it simply depends on what you are looking for. For those keen on starting 3 new club and others interested in tinessing and stimulating the discussion of their cur- rent reading group, there are many books, classes and numerous Internet sites available. But as with so many other hot topics out there right now, it can take forever to wade through the surplus of resources to get to the basics. So today's column will be “Book Club 101: Getting Started.” We'll explore some of the best sugges- tions I have found from a variety of sources and personal experience. A few of the fundamentals you can use to form your own book club. Next column, we'll investigate some ideas that will jump start vour current group. Remember there are no steadtast rules! The only requirement is to love books and want to talk about chem on a regular basis. If you aren't in a club but are keen to be a member of one, you can either join an ongoing group or form your own, The first option may be simpler for vou if you are new to the community or if you don’t know cnough people to start your own. Check the bulletin board at your local library, fas ourite book store or community centre for groups looking for new members. Ask if you can sit in on a meeting one night to see if you feel comfortable with the other members and the club’s policies from meeting times to book selections. A good test is to evaluate if you'd be comfortable speaking freely at a meeting. If not, then don’t join. You’ll reap many more benefits from active participation in the group discussion than you will sitting on the sidelines, afraid to speak up. MEGAN VERCHERE BOOK REVIEWS Hovou already know of tour to ten people who love reading and are keen te start. a book club then you've got the ingredients for your own group. The parameters are VOUurS TO set. First of f vou should desermine when veu want to mect. Meeting times can be once a month or every six weeks, or whatever feels right tor vour members” schedules. The duration of the mecting itself should also be decided upon —- usually avo to three hours. Keep in mind that 20-30 minutes on average can be lost to socializing time, so perhaps allot an extra half hour at the start or end ef the meeting to catch up on the month's gossip. And don’t tee! guilty. Getting along with your group members is integral te maintain: ing a cohesive dynamic club. Next on your getting started list is decid- ing Where to meet. The easiest place is in one of the members” houses. Many groups rotate hosts, with each member taking a turn at hosting the meet- ing. Other options include your favourite coffeehouse, the library or again, perhaps your community centre has 4 free space vou can use. My club rorates houses with the member nor only hosting the meeting, but selecting the book as well. That segues nicely into the last considera- tion for starting a book club: format. Do you want to have a discussion leader or sim- ply a meeting host? The tormer would not only select the book but create and facilitate the discussion surrounding it. This can be a great idea for those wishing to really get into the meat and bones of a novel, its themes, characters, plot and liter- ary devices. {t is a good way provide focus to your meeting, especially if the discussion leader provides background information on the book and its author. On the other hand it may over-formalize the group structure and create undue pres- sure on those members less interested or willing in pursuing more academic analysis of vour selection. Remember, the parameters are yours to set. A meeting host would most likely pick the selection but rather than lead the group Friday. October 16. 1998 - North Shore News - 17 discussion, he or she would simply host the mecting, providing refreshments if desired and some comfortable couches to carl up in. Next column we'll discuss some ways in which those of vou already in a book club can juice ap the experience a bit, including theme discussions, events and guest speak ers. Again the key to suceess is remembering that there are no set rules, Whatever works for vour group is the right route to having a Winning book chub. We'll also take a took at my club's cur- rent selection dare Thin Air by Jon Krakauer: a riveting account of the fatal i Or events op the world’s highest mountain in May 1996, when nine people died as they attempted to climb the summuit or Mr. Everest. Krakauer’s personal tale is an exercise in cathartic reporting and atonement. His sriet and gauit are palpable as he recounts his role in the incident and it should prove to be an extraordinary foray into reading non-fiction for those readers following along with as. Happy reading. Mequu Verchere can be reached at myerchereGibm net — ov fax the News at 985- 2104. Rays BARBER SHOP Economically Priced $9 kids/seniors (65) S11 men TucySat 9-550 pm PEt East 2nd Street, N.Van 988-1412 44 Week Wine or Baron's Beer Xit $6 Week Wine Kit All Giftware H : Made On Premise Made | Oa Premise ‘VANCOOVER'S FINEST & BEST ON PREMISE WINE & BEER MAKING 108 East 2nd St., North Van 984-4577 7% Corner of Lonsdale. Free parking in parkade next to store Expires Oct. 22/08. Hol valld Bih sey ember prometion or sae Surpri: SE you can afford it! | "Until conte 31/98 enjoy a a complete. _manicure & pedicure for only 540° * Hurry only 2 weeks le . * Coupon must be presented - valid ‘til Oct, 31/98 Not vaild with any other offer. MARTE HEYES 713 Gueensbury Ave, N. Van. _ Gust off Keith & Grar Grand Bivd.) aun mae [- 980-5956 When we fall short of your expectation, please tell us. When a newspaper story does not seem to reflect fairly what was said, let our editors know. When we are unable to solve your complaint, we encourage you to submit it to the: BC. Press Council Bor 5414 Victoria, B.C. V8R 684 Tel: (604) 595-2571 Fax: (604) 595-2573 The B.C. Press Council was created in 1983 as an independent review board to protect the public from press inaccuracy or unfairness and to promote wy The Vancouver International Writers Festival PRESENT SHARON BUTALA “Garden of Eden” “The Perfection of the Morning” SANDRA GULLAND “Many Lives and Secret Sorrows of Josephine B” “Tales of Passion, Tales of Woe” Jill visits clients in her "Showroom on Wheels". 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