Can we talk about how discussion guides are killing real debate in book clubs

I noticed a shift about two years ago when my group started using those printed questions from a publisher's website. Every meeting turned into a classroom style back and forth where nobody really disagreed about anything. We quit using them after three sessions because people just read their prepared answers and went home. I'm curious if anyone else has tried ditching the guides and just letting the conversation go where it wants.

3 comments

3 Comments

kellygrant5d ago

Started ditching the guides about a year ago and it totally changed things for my group. We read The Underground Railroad and instead of asking "What themes did you notice?" someone just blurted out "I hated how that one slave catcher kept getting away with everything." That turned into a real argument about whether the book was too bleak or realistic, which went way deeper than any printed question could have. Now we don't even bother with guides, we just pick a book and let people bring up whatever got under their skin. Honestly the best meetings are when two people completely disagree about a character's choices and everyone jumps in.

jason_stone595d ago

Oh man, this hits home hard. My group tried the same thing with a popular thriller last year and it was like pulling teeth. We ended up tossing the guide after fifteen minutes and someone just asked "Why would anyone let that guy into their house?" That one question sparked a huge debate about victim blaming that lasted way longer than the book chat. Like @kellygrant said, those raw reactions always lead to better talks. My only practical tip is to have one person kick things off with a quick honest take, good or bad, and then just let the group run with it.

johnson.river4d agoTop Commenter

I used to be all about those guides but kellygrant is making me rethink everything.