We're hoping the whole of the UK will become a Big Read Reading Group in 2003, reading and discussing the books which the nation loves the best - both the top 100, and the final top 10.
The most common form of book group meets once a month in someone's home or a library or café. Everyone agrees in advance to read the same book and then gathers over a drink or a meal to discuss it.
Book groups can be a spur to read more widely, to try out new authors, or to press on to the end of books that might otherwise gather dust by your bedside. They can also lead you to books that you wouldn't consider to be your kind of thing.
You can set up a group with friends, put up a notice at work or in your local library, bookshop or café.
Most groups have between six and ten members - small enough for everyone to get a word in, yet big enough to cope with a few absentees per meeting. Food and drink are usually involved.
Each group has its own style; you can use your group as a way into debating a topic, talking about your personal lives, improving your knowledge of literature or just having a gossip.
There is no right way to talk about a book. Everyone's opinions matter, and the point is not to reach a consensus decision on whether the book was good or not.
Ideas on how to structure your group:
Agree in advance a set of books to read over a few months. You could choose a common theme e.g. books about journeys, love or music.
Ask one member to present the book each time. This person researches the author and their influences and kicks the evening off with a short introduction.
An informal route would be to meet up and talk about whatever comes to mind. You don't even all need to read the same book.
Keep journals of your meetings with notes on the discussion.
Include an expert who has read other books by the author, but don't let them dominate!
Ideas for ways to discuss Big Read books in groups:
Bring the book you've voted for and explain the reason for your choice.
Bring along a book that's made you laugh or cry and read an extract. Are the other members of the group moved by the same things?
Bring a book that you've hated or found difficult. What turned you off it and where did you get stuck? Can anyone in the group convince you to stick at it?
Which book might be interesting to read after seeing a film or TV adaptation? Was the programme as good as the book or just different?
What music did a book remind you of?
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