Summary and Reviews of The Reading Group Handbook by Rachel Jacobsohn

The Reading Group Handbook by Rachel W. Jacobsohn

The Reading Group Handbook

Everything You Need to Know to Start Your Own Book Club

by Rachel W. Jacobsohn
  • Critics' Consensus (1):
  • Paperback:
  • Apr 1998, 236 pages
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About This Book

Book Summary

A definitive, step-by-step guide to starting your own book club, written by a professional reading group leader who has organized and lead groups - face-to-face and even on-line - for over twenty years.

Book clubs and reading groups give fellow members the chance to break out of established reading patterns and learn adventurous approaches to creative material. With the help of The Reading Group Handbook, you'll get a definitive, step-by-step guide to starting your own book club, written by a professional reading group leader who has organized and lead groups - face-to-face and even on-line - for over twenty years.



Introduction: Oprah Did It

  1. What Is A Book Group?
  2. What Makes A Good Member?
  3. Before The Real Fun Starts: Cost and Organization Details
  4. Rachel's Rules of Order
  5. Food!
  6. Group Composition
  7. The Art of Discussion
  8. You Are What You Read
  9. Member-led vs. Professionally Led
  10. Chat Room vs. Living Room
  11. What Do We Really Talk About?
  12. Past Fear


Appendixes
  1. Selected Reading Lists
  2. Syllabi From Rachel's Reading Groups
  3. Syllabi From Groups Around The Country
  4. Sources For Reviews, Criticisms, and Author Information
  5. Glossary of Literary Terms
  6. Advice From Questionnaire Respondents

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  • Read-alike suggestions by book and author
  • Book club discussions
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Reviews

Media Reviews

Library Journal
Jacobsohn, founder and president of the Association of Book Group Readers and Leaders, recently published what became the bible of book discussion groups, The Reading Group Handbook Everything You Need To Know from Choosing Members to Leading Discussions (Hyperion, 1994). This newly revised edition includes updated reading lists and bibliographies plus additional suggestions on group dynamics; organizational, administrative, and logistical issues; and discussion techniques garnered from extensive surveying of book groups.

Reader Reviews

Membership Advantages
  • Reviews
  • "Beyond the Book" articles
  • Free books to read and review (US only)
  • Find books by time period, setting & theme
  • Read-alike suggestions by book and author
  • Book club discussions
  • and much more!
  • Just $60 for 12 months or $20 for 3 months.
  • More about membership!

Read-Alikes

Read-Alikes Full readalike results are for members only

If you liked The Reading Group Handbook, try these:

  • The Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting a Reading Group jacket

    The Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting a Reading Group

    by Patrick Sauer

    Published 1999

    About this book

    The Complete Idiot's Guide to Starting a Reading Group is every book lover's guide to putting together a group and having successful discussions -- or knowing where to find an existing group.

  • Reading Group Journal jacket

    Reading Group Journal

    by Martha Burns

    Published 1999

    About this book

    This charming fill-in journal will be an invaluable resource and keepsake for anyone who already belongs to a reading group, and an inspiration to anyone who wants to join or organize one.


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Membership Advantages
  • Reviews
  • "Beyond the Book" articles
  • Free books to read and review (US only)
  • Find books by time period, setting & theme
  • Read-alike suggestions by book and author
  • Book club discussions
  • and much more!
  • Just $60 for 12 months or $20 for 3 months.
  • More about membership!
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