Turn a page and have a chat: the social connection of book clubs

And their variety is huge, ranging from romance to crime, to historical and science fiction. Some clubs focus on a single author, say, Jane Austen.

One growing group is blokes looking for a companionable alternative to golf or the men's shed.

And best of all, it can be as high- or low-brow as you wish.

If you want to start a book club, it's not hard and libraries are keen to help. One particularly useful resource is a web page started by a group called Australian Reads.

Here are some of its tips (plus a few gleaned elsewhere) on how to get going.

Set a schedule: Determine how often your club will meet. Most gather monthly, giving members of all reading speeds time to finish the book.

Pick a size: Australian Reads recommends 8-10 members: big enough to allow for no-shows and small enough to make sure everyone has the opportunity to share their thoughts.

Select a location: Decide where meetings will be held. Many libraries set rooms aside for clubs and lend a hand establishing them, but other venues might include a member's home, a coffee shop, a library or even a park.

You can even gather online. The City of Sydney, for example, hosts a themed online meeting each month; the most recent was memoir and biography

Define the format: Discuss with your group how the meetings will be structured. Will there be a discussion leader? Will you have a specific theme for each meeting?

And set the ground rules over behaviour. As in most groups, there will always be someone with a strong opinion. There will be others with something to contribute less forcefully. So listen actively, keep it respectful and give everyone a chance to speak and offer their perspective.

Choosing a book: Some groups save the last 10 minutes of the meeting to decide what to read next. There are various ways such as taking turns, reaching a consensus or taking a vote. Others have a lucky dip; everyone who has a suggestion puts the title in a hat to be drawn at random.

Another approach is to follow a set reading list. Libraries are again helpful here, with many offering book kits to registered clubs. Each kit contains multiple copies of a particular book and a list of suggested discussion questions and talking points.

Some libraries also offer members free access to reading apps such as BorrowBox or Libby.

Decide what to talk about: Coming up with talking points is easier than you might think.

Questions can focus on characters, plot, themes and personal reactions. They could include: Did you like main character; if not, why not? Did the plot twist surprise you? Are there situations in the plot that you can relate to in real life? If you could ask the author one thing, what would it be?

If you're stuck, remember that publishers love book clubs, for obvious reasons. Most have a page on their website dedicated to them, where they offer helpful prompts.

Penguin Australia one of them. In January, it released Fiona McDonald's new Jack Hawksworth thriller, Foul Play. Talking points include: "What did you think of Luca's refusal to give in to the blackmail demands?"

Stay organised: Keep track of meeting dates, book selections, and member contact information. Create a shared online calendar or a physical book club binder to stay organised and ensure everyone has access to the necessary information.

For more tips and club locations, go to australiareads.org.au

A few clubs across the country shared with us what they do, how they started out, and what members get out of it. Hint: The books themselves weren't actually the focus.

The men's book group at the Hannaford Community Centre in Rozelle, Blokes with Books, is an opportunity to connect with other men aged 55-plus who enjoy reading and chatting about books.

Centre supervisor Cathy Middleton says the culture of this group is friendly, casual and caring.

Book groups for men are an opportunity to connect, to relate on a casual level, or to develop friendships.

Cathy says that even if the book isn't discussed for long or isn't much liked, that is no problem, as "the conversation ranges over both current affairs and personal matters. It's a chance for men to get together and talk."

There is opportunity for men to be honest or vulnerable within these groups that doesn't often happen with a mixed-gender group as "men talk and act differently in the company of women."

Each member will be given the opportunity to chair a meeting, though it is not compulsory to be a leader.

Members have a five-minute maximum to speak and are discouraged from "rambling on" and hogging all the discussion time.

Meetings end with a clear decision on the next book to read and who will lead the discussion.

The Chinese Book Club gathers on the second Tuesday of each month from 10am-12pm at Library at The Dock in Yarra-side Melbourne.

It meets to chat informally about new Chinese books and magazines, which attendees can then borrow.

For many , the group is an opportunity to socialise, meet others and form a community.

It also serves as a great platform for Melbourne's Chinese community to join in a book club where the central point of discussion is books in their first language.

Morning tea is provided at all sessions.

In Adelaide, Greenacres Library runs two book clubs.

Nell Kandelaars is a long-standing member of the group that meets on the first Monday of the month. In fact, she has been going to the library for at least 60 years.

The meeting's format follows a review of the previous month's book, then the new book is introduced - with coffee served at some point.

Books are chosen and presented by library staff, which Nell likes, as there's always variety. "Sometimes we get books we wouldn't necessarily pick up ourselves," she said.

For example, the group's previous book was Honeybee by Craig Silvey, a coming-of-age novel about an Aussie teenager struggling with gender dysphoria.

She empathised with the protagonist and narrator, Sam. "It's emotional and sad. I have four sons who were into football and cricket; it made me question how I would have handled it if I had a child experiencing the issue."

As The Senior went to print, the group started reading The Third Grave by Lisa Jackson.

Besides the books, the club also brings about social connection; for Nell that includes coming across different people and attitudes.

Book Chat at Devonport Library brings together all kinds, says information services co-ordinator Karen Connell.

The group runs once per month for an hour on the library's the first floor overlooking the new waterfront precinct.

Karen says first-timers can expect hear laughter and friendly conversation. And that it's a great way to meet new people.

"We find we often have people who are new to the area attending the session, just to meet people and learn something new.

The session starts with the host sharing their reading/viewing experience and others offering comment and asking questions, before moving around the circle with all attendees invited to contribute if they wish.

Regular attendees of the program have forged friendships - often swapping books or catching up for coffee before or after the session.

Chats are held regularly at libraries right across Tasmania. Links to each program can found on Eventbrite.

Fullers Reading Group in Hobart was started by Irene McGuire in 1997, making it surely one of the oldest around.

Bookseller Rayne Allinson says that as a shop with a member-loyalty system, it sends out weekly newsletters via email with updates on what its `reading groups are reading.

"We used to hold all reading groups in the bookshop, but as our other book events (launches, readings, author signings etc) have become more frequent, we approached Hadley's to host the groups so we had a quiet, dedicated space close to the shop," Rayne said.

"They also make great coffees and cocktails, so participants can sip on something yummy while we chat!"

Rayne said choosing books can be a challenge, since there are so many great books published around the world and throughout the year.

But it's usually a mix of international (at least one book in translation) and local authors.

"We usually do the Booker Prize and Miles Franklin winners, we aim to include at least one Indigenous author, and at least one classic (we've gone as far back in time as Gilgamesh!).

"Unfortunately, a lot of the decisions come down to logistics: can we source enough books (there are over 100 participants in the Reading Group) with enough surety that they will arrive from the distributors on time?"

Rayne said because it's such a big group, there are we five separate sessions of 20-25 people meeting at different times spread over the first week and a half of each month.

Each session lasts an hour. "We sit around in a circle (with our coffee or glass of wine) and discuss one pre-selected book. As the facilitator, I usually begin with a brief intro about the author, why we selected this particular book etc, and then throw the conversation open to whoever wants to start.

"If the conversation lags, I might throw in an open-ended question to the group, such as "Why do you think the author did this?" or, "What did you make of this character?".

"Usually the hour goes super fast! It's always interesting how different groups focus on different issues, or have different overall opinions on a book."

Rayne is firmly of the belief that it isn't necessary to enjoy the book under discussion.

"In fact, I try to avoid selecting a book that I think everyone will universally love, because there's very little conversation that comes from that apart from 'I loved it!' and 'So did I!'.

"The best conversations arise from books that spark some difference of opinion, because it forces us to think about why certain books work and others don't, and what it is that makes a great book.

One exception to that rule was Niall Williams' This Is Happiness, which Rayne said was "universally adored by the group and has since become a word-of-mouth sensation here in Tassie".

"I would encourage anyone who loves books to join or start their own book group. It's a wonderful way to meet people you wouldn't otherwise meet, to read books you wouldn't otherwise read, and open yourself up to new ideas and ways of thinking. Reading brings us into community by reminding us of our shared humanity, which the world needs more of than ever before."

Gold Coast Book Lovers meets once a month to discuss good books. According to its website, "Each of us gets to choose a book on a rotational basis, preferably one outside our personal comfort zone - we try to keep the trash to ourselves."

"After the discussion, we comment on other books we read that month. Most of the time we remain friends after the meeting."

The club meets at room 2.1 of the Robina Community Centre's boardroom on the second Tuesday of every month from 6.30-8.30pm.

Thee club says a small contribution is required towards the rent of the room, but not for first-timers. The amount depends on the number of people attending.

One book title is chosen each month and everyone reads the book. The role of host is rotated around the group so that each member has the opportunity to nominate their book.

Perth's Nearly Perfect Book Club was formed a decade ago by a group of friends.

It soon expanded. "Friends asked friends and there were some eight of us when it was made formal a few weeks later," said member Jane MacLatchy.

She said there are just a few rules: Books chosen must be read; meetings weren't simply an excuse for gossip and giggles; members were to take turns in choosing a book for that month's read; marks were to be given.

"Sometimes, not all of us could get that month's book. So when Victoria Park Library (my local) started a free bulk book lending system for book clubs, I joined on our behalf," Jane said.

"It's been a huge help. However, if a member fancies a book not on the list, then he or she can choose it but try to ensure it's easily available."

Jane said meetings, held every four-to-five weeks, are "three hours of fun and thoughtfulness".

"The book is reviewed in turn by each of us; interruptions are polite, questions are relevant and responses informative. Loads of gossip and giggles, too," she said.

Jane said the club averages six members a meeting. A full house would be nine.

Robyn Richmond belongs to The Rats Book Club in Perth, which sources its books from the Victoria Park Library

All of them have been part of a triathlon club, which was nicknamed The Rats - hence the book club's name. The group members come from diverse backgrounds and range in age from 45 to 70.

It was initiated by the only male in the club at the moment. He said, 'Let's start a book club' and their first meeting had just four people it.

"We just talked about different books that we'd read. We did drinking more than we did reading," Robyn said with a laugh.

Subsequent meetings lead to general talk about different books they were reading, and then they started trying to access the same book at the same time from their local library, which didn't work well. A contact mentioned libraries might to book club sets, so Robyn looked up Victoria Park Library and discovered they did them. Books have been sourced from there ever since.

They meet once a month, taking it in turns to host. For Christmas they go to a cafe, which in December 2023 was the Funkee Monkee in Fremantle.

Robyn said the social aspect is a big part of what club members get out of it.

"We've got people in our book club that are now retired; it's another avenue for keeping social connections," she said.

Some members are avid readers and are members of multiple book clubs, but many in their club hadn't read for years.

"The club forces you to pick up a book, and we've read a lot of books that we wouldn't otherwise have picked up to read," she said.

"Some books we've read we've picked up and thought 'Oh, I didn't think I'd like them' and in the end we've loved them."

Another aspect members enjoy is when they get together and discuss a book, it changes people's perspectives on it.

"When you hear what other people's thoughts are and what they thought about it, it makes you rethink what you thought about it. Quite often, people will pick up on different storylines or concepts in the book that you haven't thought of," she said.

Robyn said having Victoria Park Library's support made it much easier to facilitate.

"It's easy to start a group; the library helps you set it up," she said.

Gayle O'Leary is from the Knutters Book Club in Fremantle, which started "purely organically" from the Meetup app.

"I used to also advertise the group on Facebook, but it only ever attracted a couple of members there. So I eventually stopped and solely used Meetup," she said.

"I didn't know any of the original attendees, but some of our regular members have been going ever since the second book club was held in March 2021!

Their first meeting was in December 2020, with Honeybee, by Craig Silvey, as the focus.

The group meets every to-to-three months at a local café.

"I try to stay within the neighbourhood, especially because I live nearby on Knutsford Street (hence the name,) she said.

"Cafes are ideal for book clubs, especially cosy intimate ones."

Members pitch the books and then they are discussed at a group manager's level.

"Sometimes I'll suggest a book or a few options, get a consensus either at the meeting or online via the app, or other members will suggest options and we pick the one we like the sound of it," Gayle said.

"It started off with me picking the book and later on we agreed to share it around the group, which was nice. It helps to add a little diversity to what we read."

For Gayle, being in a book club provides an opportunity for likeminded people to have a great discussion.

"We do honestly spend a decent amount of the time discussing the book before we inevitably wind up talking about a whole variety of other topics," she said.

"It is a joy meeting thoughtful, kind, and intelligent people such as the ones we get to see at this book club.

"Book clubs encourage you to think from multiple viewpoints and it's really interesting to pick apart a book to consider how it could be interpreted differently based on your perspective.

"I highly recommend book clubs to anyone considering joining one. It's a nice way to spend an afternoon and enriches you."