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► How To Discuss
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Leading a Book Discussion
STEP #1: Read the book
1. But first…do some research
About the book – read summary, reviews, etc. About the author Discussion questions – If they already exist, read them before you read the book
2. Read critically
3. Take your time
STEP #2: Prepare discussion questions
1. If they already exist
2. Write your own – make the questions fit the book
3. Things to remember
Avoid yes or no questions Ask for opinions, not facts Use examples and be specific Address broad themes and concepts
4. If we’re not all friends here
STEP #3: Talk about the book
1. Your job—facilitate
Make eye contact – discussion leader sits at the end of the table Ask an icebreaker question to get started Let others talk first Don’t teach, don’t preach Everyone gets to talk, no one has to Be flexible Summarize, clarify, redirect, make connections
2. Make it interesting
3. Also your job—mediate
No one’s right, no one’s wrong Keep it about the book Everyone gets to talk, no one gets to talk all the time Dealing with difficult people
4. Wrap it up
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Leading a Discussion |
Customize Your Questions |
Questions Online
Customize Your Own Questions
Use the following questions as guidelines to customize your own questions
that pertain to the specific characters, plot, setting, etc. of the book.
1. Who – The Characters
Were the characters believable? Why or why not? Were the characters sympathetic? Why or why not? What motivates the characters? Why do they do what they do? Consider gender, age, race, economic status, nationality, cultural background, personality flaws, past experiences, etc. How do these influence the character’s actions,
attitudes or motivations? Compare/contrast two or more characters Discuss secondary characters Do the characters change or grow? How? Why?
2. What – The Plot
Does the story have a clear beginning, middle and end? If not, how does the absence thereof affect your reading of the book? What are the main themes in the book? Does the plot drive the characters or do the characters drive the plot? Did you “figure it out” before the end? How? Did that affect your reading of the rest of the book? What subplots are present? Why are they there? Are they important to the story or distracting? Is the ending satisfactory? What happened next?
3. When – Historical Context
How is the period in which the book is set important? Is the historical period adequately identified and explained? How would the story be different if set in a different time? When was the book published? Is this relevant in any way?
4. Where – The Setting
What is unique or noteworthy about the setting? Is the particular setting necessary to the story, or could the book have been set anywhere? How does the book’s setting affect the story? the characters? Does the author’s writing make you feel like you are there? How? Are nature and the environment important? How?
5. Why – The Book as a Whole
Why did the author write this book? Is s/he trying to satisfy an agenda or make a point with the book? What is it? Did s/he succeed? Who is narrating the story? Why is this person telling this story? Is the narrator reliable? What does the book’s title mean? Why did this book win an award? get made into a movie? etc.
6. How – The Author
How does the author’s writing style and/or use of language affect your reading of the book? How does the author use literary techniques such as symbolism, imagery, irony, etc.? How effective (or not) are any literary devices used, i.e. multiple narrators, flashbacks, concurrent storylines, telling the story through letters and diaries, etc.? What does the book reveal about the author’s world view?
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Leading a Discussion
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Customize Your Questions |
Questions Online
Discussion Questions Online
Resource sites where discussion questions for various books may be found.
*Publisher web site
About.com
http://bestsellers.about.com/od/bookclubquestions
Book Browse
http://www.bookbrowse.com/reading_guides
Bookletters
www.booksite.com/texis/scripts/bookletter/showfab.html?sid=5166&qlname=ALLBD
The Books*
www.twbookmark.com/books/reading_guides.html
Harcourt*
www.harcourtbooks.com/BookSearch/readingGuides.asp
HarperCollins*
www.harpercollins.com/Readers/readingGroups.aspx
Houghton Mifflin*
www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com/readers_guides
Hyperion*
www.hyperionbooks.com/readinggroups/index.htm#Reading_Group_Guides
Penguin Group*
http://us.penguingroup.com/static/html/readingguides/index.html
Reading Group Choices
www.readinggroupchoices.com
Reading Group Essentials*
www.holtzbrincklibrary.com/index.php?a=groups
Reading Group Guides
www.readinggroupguides.com
Simon Says*
www.simonsays.com/content/index.cfm?sid=519
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Leading a Discussion |
Customize Your Questions |
Questions Online
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