Create Your Own Book Club Discussion Guide: A Comprehensive Approach

Engaging in a book club can be a delightful experience, but when it's your turn to lead the discussion and there's no handy reading guide available, things can get a bit challenging. However, with the right set of questions and ideas, you can create a stimulating and enjoyable discussion. This post will give you all the tools you need to craft your own top-notch discussion guide, perfect for any book your club is reading.

General Book Club Questions

To get the conversation rolling, start with some fundamental questions:

• What were your favorite and least favorite aspects of the book, and why?
• Did the book meet, exceed, or fall short of your expectations?
• How did the book title and cover artwork influence your perception of the book? Would you change them in any way?
• Are you happy that you read this book?
• Did the book teach you something new or change your perspective?
• Do you have a memorable quote or scene from the book? Why does it stand out?
• How do you think the book will be viewed in the future? Will it still be relevant in decades to come?
• What other books on the same topic would you recommend?
• What did you think of the book's ending?
• Who would you recommend this book to?
• If this book were adapted into a film, who would you cast in the main roles?

Questions About the Author or Their Style

Dive deeper into the author's intentions and writing style with these prompts:

• Why do you think the author chose to write this book? Did they succeed in conveying their intended message?
• Can you describe the author's writing style? What did you enjoy or dislike about it?
• Does this author's style remind you of any other writers? How so?
• If you were the author, would you tell the story differently?
• What is one question you would like to ask the author?

Discussing the Plot

When discussing the plot, consider the following aspects:

• Was the story believable within its setting? Did the characters' motives and actions make sense?
• How did you feel about the pacing of the book? Did it maintain your interest throughout?
• Did you notice any use of symbolism? What was its purpose?
• Did the plot unfold as you expected, or were there surprises?
• Did you trust the narrator? Why or why not?

Examining the Characters

The characters are often the heart of the story. Consider these questions:

• Did you relate to any character or their situation?
• Which character would you most like to meet and why?
• Who narrates the story and how does that influence the telling of it?
• If the story were told from another character's perspective, how would it change?
• Were the characters believable and well-developed?
• How would you have responded if you were in the same situation as the characters?
• What do you think happens to the characters after the story ends?

Discussing the Setting

The setting can greatly impact the story. Consider these points:

• How vividly did the author describe the setting?
• How did the setting influence the story? Would the story be different with a different setting?
• Would you like to visit the setting of the book? If you're familiar with it, did it feel true to life?

Genre-Specific Questions

Different genres call for different types of questions:

• Nonfiction: Was the information presented in an engaging way? Were the author's conclusions justified?
• Memoir: Did the author seem honest? Did you feel any parts were missing or given too much detail?
• Short Stories: Which story stood out to you and why? How are the stories connected?
• Historical Fiction: Did the book feel well-researched? Were there any noticeable anachronisms?
• Mysteries: Did you solve the mystery before the reveal? How did the red herrings affect your reading experience?

General Interest Topics

These topics are great for involving everyone in the discussion, even if they haven't finished the book:

• If you could start a movement in your community, what would it be?
• Do you think prejudice is something we are born with or something we learn?
• Do we care less about other people's opinions as we age?
• What are some of your favorite family or regional recipes?
• Do you agree that “marriage is such a dreadful gamble”?
• Does the lifestyle or career choice presented in the book appeal to you?

"Books are a uniquely portable magic." — Stephen King

If you found this helpful, check out the original article for more ideas, or visit this Goodreads Book Club Guide.

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