Choosing Book
Discussion Titles

So many books, so little time! How does one choose the titles for the group to read without it becoming a problem for the group? The first thing to remember when choosing the books is that not everyone has to like every book! It is unlikely that the group will completely agree on the title every time. To get your group started, choose relatively short books or books that are familiar. Save the epics and more controversial titles for when the group members are comfortable with each other.

Make the whole selection process less of an issue by allowing the books to be selected three at a time. That way, if one selection isn't to someone's liking, the next one may make them more amenable (be careful of getting too far ahead, as groups change and evolve over time! You don't want to be locked into a title that the group really doesn't want to read!). Most of all, bear in mind that the reason most people join a book discussion group, in fact the main point, is to expose yourself to books you might not read without the impetus or support of the group.

There are several ways your group can choose books to discuss that will make the choosing painless and interesting:

1. Go by theme - for 2008, choose books which deal with illness, banned books, books by foreign writers, books about different cultures, classics written before 1925, etc.

2. Read what the rest of the country is reading! Talk shows often feature books and hot authors.

3. Rotate the choice amongst the group. Each will then choose the genre, style, author they enjoy the most and will have fun exposing the rest of the group!

4. Have each member bring in a title and pick from the hat! Or have the members describe their book choice and then vote - majority rules (If you find your choice doesn't make the cut, no one says you can't read it on your own!)

5. Ask a librarian… of course!

6. Try one of these books:

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