This weekend I attended Chapter Three of the Book Group Expo, a annual weekend for writers and readers which began in San Jose in 2005 and now has venues in Seattle, Minneapolis, Boston, Chicago and New York.
Here's how it works:
Participants can choose to attend a number of “salons” where a group of authors discuss specific topics with one another, a moderator and the audience. Here’s a sampling of some this year’s salons: Write or wrong: the unreliable narrator defines virtue; Historical friction: characters in conflict; Foodies: writers eat, eaters write; Secrets of the suburbs: this is not the life I ordered.
Other activities included book signings, wine and chocolate tastings, performances by Brian Copeland (author of this next year’s Silicon Valley Reads book) and by the Reduced Shakespeare Company.
Here are some ideas that I found at Book Club Expo Marketplace that might be of interest for library book clubs and discussions.
Book Club in a Box
Despite the title, this Toronto based company sells only comprehensive reading guides (print and/or pdf) for fiction, text not included. Sample available online.
Cost: approximately $19.00 per title. (discounts available with membership).
Here's how it works:
Participants can choose to attend a number of “salons” where a group of authors discuss specific topics with one another, a moderator and the audience. Here’s a sampling of some this year’s salons: Write or wrong: the unreliable narrator defines virtue; Historical friction: characters in conflict; Foodies: writers eat, eaters write; Secrets of the suburbs: this is not the life I ordered.
Other activities included book signings, wine and chocolate tastings, performances by Brian Copeland (author of this next year’s Silicon Valley Reads book) and by the Reduced Shakespeare Company.
Here are some ideas that I found at Book Club Expo Marketplace that might be of interest for library book clubs and discussions.
Book Club in a Box
Despite the title, this Toronto based company sells only comprehensive reading guides (print and/or pdf) for fiction, text not included. Sample available online.
Cost: approximately $19.00 per title. (discounts available with membership).
Great Books Foundation
Great Books Foundation publishes and sells anthologies with study guides. Most selections are from literature, though science, history, philosophy, politics are also covered. Discussion group program materials are available for various levels. Training available for leaders. Each anthology in the Great Conversation series has 15 discussions and costs approximately $25. Other anthologies grouped under subjects. (Each participant should have his or her own book—ideal for a group with long-term goals.) The Great Books Council of San Francisco puts on conferences and special events. Cost: approximately $25.00 per Great Conversation anthology. Other anthologies/guides less.
My California: Journeys by Great Writers
An anthology of travel and adventure stories by 27 California award-winning authors. Funds from sale benefit literature and writing projects and programs of the California Arts Council. Long Beach and Benicia used this book for their community “One Book” reading programs. Discussion questions available.
Other program ideas using this book available through the California Arts Council
Cost: $16.95 wholesale discounts for 12 copy minimum.
Reading Group Choices
Reading Group Choices selects books and suggests discussion topics for reading groups. The company produces an annual printed guide and through its website links to discussion guides and other materials of interest to book clubs. 2009 guide has discussion questions for 75 recent titles (fiction and nonfiction) Cost: Guides: $6.95 discounts available for groups.
Great Books Foundation publishes and sells anthologies with study guides. Most selections are from literature, though science, history, philosophy, politics are also covered. Discussion group program materials are available for various levels. Training available for leaders. Each anthology in the Great Conversation series has 15 discussions and costs approximately $25. Other anthologies grouped under subjects. (Each participant should have his or her own book—ideal for a group with long-term goals.) The Great Books Council of San Francisco puts on conferences and special events. Cost: approximately $25.00 per Great Conversation anthology. Other anthologies/guides less.
My California: Journeys by Great Writers
An anthology of travel and adventure stories by 27 California award-winning authors. Funds from sale benefit literature and writing projects and programs of the California Arts Council. Long Beach and Benicia used this book for their community “One Book” reading programs. Discussion questions available.
Other program ideas using this book available through the California Arts Council
Cost: $16.95 wholesale discounts for 12 copy minimum.
Reading Group Choices
Reading Group Choices selects books and suggests discussion topics for reading groups. The company produces an annual printed guide and through its website links to discussion guides and other materials of interest to book clubs. 2009 guide has discussion questions for 75 recent titles (fiction and nonfiction) Cost: Guides: $6.95 discounts available for groups.
Santa Clara County Library Book Club Kits
Each book club kit bag includes 12 copies of the book (may include one or two copies in large print) and a discussion guide compiled from library and internet sources. Kits may be checked out for six weeks. Approximately 50 nonfiction and fiction titles available. Santa Cruz County Library has a similar program. Cost: Free to Santa Clara County Library card holders
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