How many books do you read a year? A month? A week? How much you read, as well as what types of books you read, is probably a function of how much spare time you have and how much of a bibliophile you are. One way to stay motivated about reading is to become a member of one of the reading book clubs in the area. These are small groups (generally 8 to 12 members) who get together monthly to discuss a book that was recommended the month before. Each month, a member of the group hosts the meeting at his/her home and, depending on the arrangement, may provide a snack or dessert to make it easier for the host. Each time someone hosts a meeting, he/she gets to choose the book that members will be reading for the next get-together.

    This method of reading and discussing, with a variety of others who have read the same book, helps to point out elements in the story that some might have missed, thereby helping the reader to get more out of the book than they would have otherwise. Moreover, the camaraderie involved in meeting regularly with acquaintances, who may soon become friends, is an excellent way to socialize while challenging yourself to read more. You can title your club by using a neighborhood reference, or something signifying a larger area. For example, “The Cloverhill Community Book Club,” or, “The North Texas Book Lovers Club.” On the other hand, the name can be more generic, like, “The Simply Reading Book Club,” or, “Classic Reading Book Club.” Whatever you choose, you will have fun with friends while adding substantially to your literary repertoire.