Jessie Cave's tips for hosting a book club
Published: Tuesday 14th May 2013
You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me. - C.S. Lewis
WRONG, C.S Lewis. I would just like to say that I love Narnia. My cat is called Aslan.
I think though, that in order to run a successful book club, you need to limit refreshments, especially hot ones like tea, because they are dangerous and once you start snacking, you can't stop. Therefore, the focus is disrupted. The refreshment situation just got out of hand at my last book club.
I would also insist that you keep the reading matter per week short and digestible. No one wants to miss The Apprentice or Made in Chelsea. At my old (now dismantled) book club, some nights we were discussing discourse into the small hours and because the (amateur) book club hostess didn't believe in electricity, we had to use candlelight. When we ran out of candles we used our Kindles for torches, confusing the book club weekly topic with our leisure reading, so everyone became bitter and then we all missed the last train. Nightmare.
Popular people are fine, but it is usually the unpopular people whose opinions are the most interesting. So try and fill your book club with socially unpopular people. Also, popular people tend to like to 'chat' and that just slows down the "talking-about-books" momentum.
Now: the books. Make sure you choose books each week that allow people to use their imaginations and encourage role play in book club sessions. Roleplay can be great fun and educational. Don't be scared of autobiographies. I would particularly recommend Deborah Meaden's Common Sense Rules because applying a business strategy to your book club can be very beneficial to the number of people you get in each week. I know one book club host who had as many as six people per week after reading Deb's book.
Finally, on a slightly unrelated note, make sure you have a policy for sharing books outside of book club which will make the book club atmosphere a harmonious safe-haven: If someone lends you a book, GIVE IT BACK. Come on.
To find out more about Jessie visit www.pindippy.com
Jessie Cave: Bookworm is at the Soho Theatre on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th May 2013. More details and tickets from sohotheatre.com
Help us publish more great content by becoming a BCG Supporter. You'll be backing our mission to champion, celebrate and promote British comedy in all its forms: past, present and future.
We understand times are tough, but if you believe in the power of laughter we'd be honoured to have you join us. Advertising doesn't cover our costs, so every single donation matters and is put to good use. Thank you.
Love comedy? Find out more