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I have been having my own Ray Bradbury reading streak of late and was pleased to discover that there has been something of a Bradbury revival out there. For one, Ray Bradbury just turned 91 and writer Alice Hoffman wrote a very nice piece for the LA Times about Bradbury to mark the auspicious birthday [...]

Hopefully by now, you’ve all had a chance to view/listen to the Book Group Buzzing webinar from last week.  As I went through it, I realized one of the questions at the end was specifically asking for websites with advice for starting a book discussion group. Here are some that I think will be helpful: [...]

Back in February I mentioned some Twitter feeds I follow for book news and possible selections for book groups. Here’s another small batch of book tweeters who post pithy tweets about book groups, reading, book news, and other items of interest to readers. EarlyWord @earlyword– is the twitter handle for the favorite website of many [...]

During yesterday’s Book Group Buzzing webinar, a question came up asking for  good websites for book discussion groups.  I promised that I would address that here on the blog.  I’ve compiled a list of recently mentioned websites from my fellow BGB bloggers, as well as added some of my personal favorites.  I hope they are [...]

I’ve been updating some lists of classic authors at my library, and using the Julian Patrick-edited 501 Great Writers to do it. This is the kind of book that I enjoy bringing to a book group occasionally just to pass around the room. It may lead to ideas for which writers to try next, or [...]

It’s easy to find possible reading selections online, thanks to the vast number of library groups who make sure to put their current (and past) selections online for all to peruse.  While searching around recently, I came across a list of recent picks from Inkwood Books in Tampa, FL. I realized I’ve never actively sought [...]

The Millions has an excellent write-up of 66 of the most interesting titles coming between this July and April 2012. While most book groups prefer to wait for the possibility of paperbacks, these are titles worth putting on your radar and tracking in the upcoming year. Many of the titles have connections to past works [...]

This summer, you can battle for time in your reader’s busy vacation schedules, or you can try to find ways to fit into the season. Since summer is the time for road trips and vacation, why not try a meeting devoted to audiobooks? Long stretches in a car or lounging in a chair with a [...]

The 800s are a great place to look for little known resources for selecting books for reading groups. My most recent discovery is The Novel 100: A Ranking of the Greatest Novels of All Time by Daniel S. Burt. Of course, it’s a gargantuan task whittling such a list down to 100 titles. Burt points [...]

I recently read Tina Fey’s memoir, Bossypants, and I found it a fantastically funny, entertaining read. Told in episodic essays, Fey relays her unexpected rise in the ranks of theater to improv to “Saturday Night Live” to her show “30 Rock.” But what has stayed with me the most, and what has been much discussed [...]

For Booklist’s Mystery Month, I wanted to remind all the book group leaders out there of some invaluable resources when it’s time to choose a mystery for discussion. First, our own Gary Warren Niebuhr, has written a guide just for this purpose. Read ‘Em Their Writes was published in 2006 and I’ve turned to it [...]

Recently the Downtowners Book Group at The Kansas City Public Library discussed one of my favorite book group titles, Mudbound by Hillary Jordan. This book has a compelling plot, realistic characters, and a solid pace. It would be a good choice for mystery book groups looking for something different. I’ve used this book in discussion [...]

Children’s literature is a favorite among book groups. Titles aimed at kids are usually a speedy, easy read and can provoke all sorts of memories, good and bad about libraries, reading, books, and beloved or beloathed characters. Book groups looking for a one-stop resource for selecting a youth title that will appeal to the largest [...]

Have you enjoyed Book Movement lately? Rebecca has noted this website before here on Book Group Buzz, but I just got around to giving it a closer look today. It’s a website that probably ought to be on the radar of book group members, as it includes several useful tools to help select titles, promote [...]

The Arlington Heights Memorial Library, where I lead a book discussion group every month, has created a resource area for book discussion leaders, both those who conduct programs in the library and library patrons who lead groups composed of friends and neighbors. Twenty reference books containing helpful information of great interest to discussion leaders are [...]

I’ve always been rather reluctant to select fantasy for discussion in my book groups. My readers don’t seem to care for it (I recall their general ennui regarding Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell) but I think it’s time to try again and I think I’ve found the right title. A Game of Thrones by George [...]

Here’s an idea for a month when your group doesn’t have much time to devote to reading. Instead of discussing a book, spend a meeting exploring how you get your books. In preparation, ask each member to select a different source of books and come to the group ready to report on it. These sources might [...]

You probably know Nancy Pearl as the role model for the librarian action figure with real shushing action. In reality, she’s a giving person who is more likely to listen to you than shush you. I’ve just finished a leisurely tour through her latest book, Book Lust to Go. It’s the third in her series of Book [...]

Book groups looking for a jolt in their reading should thumb through Thrillers: 100 Must Reads. This collection of essays, edited by thriller writer David Morrell and thriller critic/reviewer Hank Wagner, reminds readers of classic roller coaster reads and a few that have, undeservedly, slipped off the reading public’s radar. Morrell and Wagner have gathered [...]

PBS Masterpiece has launched its 40th anniversary Book & Film Club. The web site offers guides (discussion questions, links, and more) arranged by author. There are also tips on creating and running a book and film club, and a list of print and online book group resources. Being a longtime Masterpiece fan, I just sighed up for [...]