Book club discussion starters for seniors

If youre ready to start a book club, heres 40 of the best book club questions, for fiction and nonfiction alike. Oct 22, 2015 11 books that every book club should read. Here are some conversation starters for the book lovers out there. And, if anything they have even more to talk about. Call and make an appointment with the recreational therapist or activities director same department, different titles in different buildings. Oct 14, 2008 book clubs provide a place to discuss ideas and exchange opinions as well as generate enthusiasm for reading as an enjoyable pastime. I have put together a list of 10 book club discussion questions that will work for any book, and still encourage lively and engaging conversation. I have been a part of one or more book clubs for over 20 years, and i have learned a few things about what makes a book club successful and how to get your book club talking.

It is a good idea to plan on finishing the book a little earlier than you might otherwise so that you have time to think about it and prepare before your book club meets. Were making it easy this year by rounding up the best book club books 2019 has to offer. With lots of conversation questions for each topic and a diverse range of topics. Socializing with fellow book lovers can also help older adults avoid the health risks associated with isolation, such as high blood pressure and depression. For kids memory games for seniors abc games word games activity ideas. No one had explained to me how to get a discussion. The coronavirus pandemic may keep you from sharing snacks with your book club, but heres how to keep the discussion flowing from afar. Liven up your book club meetings by playing a quick game or two when your members first arrive. Therefore, it is oftentimes necessary for a book club to create its own set of questions for discussion.

In my book captivate, i break down every interaction into 3 phases. Each month we share our book club discussion questions so youll be totally prepared for your meeting. Check out these conversation starters thatll conversations with your senior with dementia flow. The seniors in invisible injuries live in a segregated community. Your local librarys website is a great resource for. Find discussion books, contests, and reading lists.

Lets say you have been speaking to someone for a while, or it is a friend you have seen many times before and you need more to talk about. Find groups in columbus, ohio about book club and meet people in your local community who share your interests. I mean, besides the wine and cheese, the real purpose of the meeting is to talk about the fantastic book you read. Moving forward, every member should have a voice, with the group reserving veto power. The 10 titles book clubs are buzzing about in 2017 by. We read only fun books that make our members rediscover their love of reading. I have two cardinal rules in selecting the best book club books. Using the current book only, have everyone write hisher casting choice. Home book discussion groups libguides at american library. Jun 28, 2017 after years of working with small groups of readers, ive discovered that a thoughtful, selective set of handy conversation starters does a better job. Theyll help you get more out of what your read and help you talk about books with greater ease. Its common for book clubs to choose a specific book to read and discuss at the same time. Even if you do have a reading guide, these questions will still help engage your book club members and provide great conversation starters. Reading is a wonderful way to improve the quality of life for seniors.

If you or your book club is new to short story collections, try starting out with one of the most masterful short storytellers. Ive found that the best book club discussion questions are ones that are openended and that get people to share their personal opinions. Choose from five monthly reads, vetted by cool people with great taste. Select a host for the club, or take turns choosing a book title and discussion leader. As announced in february, 2017 the honorary chair for ala book club central is sarah jessica parker. Find meetups about book clubs and meet people in your local community who share your interests. Butler, a notable physician, gerontologist, psychiatrist and pulitzer prize winner, first contemplated the reasons for increased reminiscence among seniors in 1963. Dec 20, 2019 lets start off 2020 right with a selection of the best book club books. How to run a book club for seniors senior living link.

Many book clubs start when a few friends get together and decide that theyd like to meet to discuss books on a regular basis. The first smallgroup discussion i led took approximately 15 minutes. I raced through the questions as if i were a greyhound near the finish line. Think aboutand bring up in your book club discussion the reasons for marking those passages. Maybe or maybe not, but at least you can explore the idea of beauty by having a discussion with these conversation questions about beauty. May 24, 20 what i tired to make my classmates realize is that seniors are simply older people. A good question to see what kind of books they are into. Find groups in boca raton, florida about book club and meet people in your local community who share your interests. You may be astonished at how your reading choices expand. Selecting each months book requires walking a fine.

Since reading is such a common hobby, starting a senior book club is an excellent opportunity for incorporating socialization and continued learning and engagement for your elderly loved one. Youll also find printable book club questions at the end of this post to bring to. Whether youre picking your book club suggestions as a group or looking for the best book club books to choose from for an individual choice, these 29 options will have you covered. Need a little inspiration for your book club s next read. You can both read your respective novels and reconvene and talk about whats happening in each of your books. Great list for a rookie book club membercofounder like me. For those of you with a library book, author elise williams rikard shared a trick with. When shes not watching melodramatic television or reading magical realism, shes reading memoir, watching the great british bake off, or eating her way around new york. Here are three tips to help you build better book club prompts its easier than you think, and youll feel like a book club superhero when your groups engagement goes up.

How to find a book club in your area the deliberate reader. Below weve got some interesting conversation topics for your enjoyment. If you get to pick the book, here are some recommendations for engaging books that are likely to promote discussion. A book club is a reading group, usually consisting of a number of people who read and talk about books based on a topic or an agreedupon reading list. Try these top discussion starters for nonfiction books, selfhelp memoirs, and more. How to start a book discussion group get together a core group it is much easier to start a book club with two or three people who already have some connection. See if your town or city has a community newsletter or activity guide. Recommending new books each month to spark lively conversation. Whats needed, often, are story starters, similar to those that teachers use with students in creative writing classes. Two to two and a half hours is a good amount of time to aim for each book club meeting. Thus, if you want to start a group a great place to begin can be with your friends but dont assume that they share your expectations about the sort of books to read or how the club. Reading group choices is your resource for book recommendations, book club discussion topics, and reading group guides. Aug 08, 2019 ala book club central is a new online platform of reading resources, including recommendations, expert book lists, author interviews, and other content for book clubs and their readers. Depending on the seriousness level of the group, you may want to do a bit of research on the author, time period, etc.

Book clubs provide a place to discuss ideas and exchange opinions as well as generate enthusiasm for reading as an enjoyable pastime. This sparked so much discussion of so many topics, including saramagos style of writing, government response to disaster, and even a comparison to camus. Each member or a team of 23 takes a card and answers the question. The reasons that people give for joining a book club include reading a wide variety of books, making friends, having fun, meeting likeminded people and stimulating the brain cells. This highly anticipated collection has lived up to its hype with stories following astronauts, bootleggers, and even ouija boards. How to lead a good discussion christian bible studies. You dont necessarily need to read the same book to have a little book club discussion. Some of these were published in late 2019, while some arent released yet, so theyre split into sections by publication date.

Its perfect for a book club because people will take different things away from it, and i. If you read one, be sure to let us know what you thought of the book in the comments. See if your local community center has a book club connected with it many ymcas offer a monthly book club, open to any of their members. Senior centres are a good place to enquire about book clubs. What was the purpose of this book eg, to teach, to entertain. Choose one question at a time and toss it out to the group.

Womens fiction novels have made their way into the hearts of book clubs all over the world, and 2019 promises a brand new host of pageturners that you and your fellow book clubbers will be. Four great senior story starters senior care in home care. From chicklit to historical fiction to nonfiction that reads like a novel, theres a book here for every book club. Spend more time reading and less time figuring out what to read. The best book club questions for every kind of discussion. He or she can talk to you about whether or not there are enough residents who can a still read normal. Clean reads book club currentnewer book suggestions for senior citizens book club. Reading group choices book club recommendations featured books. For the first meeting, it makes sense for you to suggest the title and prepare a few discussion questions.

But its important that the book contains no offensive language err on the side if caution or violentgraphic descriptions. Perfect for getting some interesting conversations started. You want to pick a discussion worthy book, so we decided to make it. Its a fine line to walk but we believe these do so effectively and will add a heartwarming touch to your book club gatherings. Looking for book club questions that will get the conversation going. This is a novel you and your book club will literally never want to stop talking about so clear your schedules and prepare for an old school.

How did growing up in the time of the troubles affect the character. Dec 02, 2019 the benefits of reminiscing for seniors. If you could have any super power, what would it be. Whatever your book club s reading preferences historical fiction, heartfelt family sagas, thoughtprovoking teen novels, and more this list has a book that is sure to please. We have 7 tips to help you lead a great book club discussion everything from book discussion questions, prompts, games, handouts.

Reading literature together with others is a great way to become involved in your senior living community as well as a way to reach out and make new friends. The conversation questions span a wide variety of conversation topics. Decades of experience bestow so many older adults with a wisdom many younger people could benefit to learn from. I feel like its a book that can start a great conversation at a first book club meeting. Small great things could not be more timely and sparked many an important discussion both in and outside of book clubs.

And if they really liked the book, well now youve got a good recommendation. See inside the mind of precocious high school senior. Reasons for not liking or finishing a selection can also create lively discussion. Non fiction book club questions westfield memorial library. If youre not squeamish about writing in the margins, try taking notes and underlining passages as you go along.

For the first half hour, take time to share snacks and socialize or do an icebreaker activity. Are there literature genres you have never explored. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. How to start a book club that doesnt suck book riot. How to do book club virtually during covid distancing. For seniors, book clubs are a great way to stay active and engaged while improving senior wellness and meeting others with. Books for seniors, nursing home residents, golden agers. Here are a dozen fiction and nonfiction recommendations for exactly this type of book books that are rewarding to read and discuss, that feel good without feeling mushy. Learn more about enlivants activities and amenities. This stepbystep guide will help you start a book club that can last for years. Find a local book club, reading group, book discussion group.

How to start your own book club my senior health plan. Butler, a notable physician, gerontologist, psychiatrist and pulitzer prize winner, first contemplated the reasons for increased reminiscence among seniors. Story starters 1,705 writers self empowerment and energy healing meetup. They arent helpful in moving discussions forward, and can make others feel defensive. We hope you can add at least one of these books to your reading list. During book club meetings there is a fair amount of socializing and having a good time. Interesting conversation topics conversation starters world. You can maximize the health benefits of reading by starting or joining a book club. Covid19 advisory for the health and safety of meetup communities, were advising that all events be hosted online in the. H ow to encourage a lively discussion at a book club meeting can be a challenge. Now that youve had some time to recover from all those champagne wishes and caviar dreams, its time to get down to business. With this in mind, the most effective questions you can ask your loved one are questions about their past. Covid19 advisory for the health and safety of meetup communities, were advising that all events be hosted.

Here are some general questions and conversation starters that can be catered to fit nonfiction titles. To help you start reading more, we are sharing a few tips on launching a book club. Select a number of questions, write each on an index card, and distribute. Books for seniors, music for seniors books to lighten a lonely day, to share with a friend, and music for goldenagers and seniors. Here are some ideas to organize a book club for seniors. Its no mystery that many seniors love reading and have a passion for telling stories. Eleanor oliphant is completely fine by gail honeyman, the boys in the boat. This process of reflecting on past experiences can greatly benefit older adults personally as well. Book of the month read more, research less, save money.

Of course, you will also discuss the latest book you are reading, but if that is all you do your meetings will soon become boring. Apr 10, 2015 32 perfect books to kick off your book club guaranteed to give you the feels. Seniors dont always know how to get into storytelling mode, though, so its good to have some prompts available that, when inserted into conversation, can encourage a senior loved one to spin a yarn or two. Literary snowballs sounds silly, but its lots of fun. Discussion starters this story begins with one of the characters set in the ireland during the time of the troubles. Besides the below book club questions, remember, the easiest way to be a participant at the book club is to be an active reader.