I've been thinking lately about how disconnected our family feels sometimes, with everyone glued to their screens instead of talking and laughing together. Remember those cozy evenings spent sharing stories and books? Why can't we bring that back? I mean, what if we started a family book club? Imagine gathering everyone around with a pot of hot cocoa, chatting about characters like they’re old friends, and discovering each other’s thoughts over the pages of a good book. Just last week, while struggling to read my latest novel alone, I couldn’t help but think – how amazing would it be to hear my kids’ reactions or my partner’s insights? Let’s share not just stories from the pages, but our own stories too, while creating memories that’ll last a lifetime!
Items You’ll Need
- Books
- Reading Journal
- Bookmarks
- Discussion Questions
- Comfortable Seating
- Reading Light
- Snacks and Drinks
- Board Games or Activities
- Notebook for Notes
- Virtual Meeting Tools
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Gathering My Family
I start by gathering everyone in the living room and introducing the idea of a family book club. I explain how this will be a fun way for us to read together and share our thoughts.
Step 2: Choosing the First Book
I create a shortlist of books that I find interesting and I think the family would enjoy. I then ask each family member for their input and we vote on which book we will read first.
Step 3: Setting a Schedule
After we choose our first book, I set a schedule for when we will have our book club meetings, making sure it fits everyone's availability. I suggest meeting every two weeks to allow enough time for everyone to read.
Step 4: Preparing Discussion Questions
I prepare some discussion questions to get the conversation started during our meetings. These questions will help us dive deeper into the themes and characters of the book.
Step 5: Creating a Comfortable Space
I arrange comfortable seating in our living room with cushions and blankets, and make sure we have good reading lights to set a cozy atmosphere for our meetings.
Step 6: Gathering Snacks and Drinks
I make sure to have some fun snacks and drinks ready for our book club meetings. I ask each member to bring their favorite treat to share, making it a more enjoyable experience.
Step 7: Using My Reading Journal
I buy a reading journal for myself and encourage my family members to do the same. I plan to use it to jot down my thoughts about each chapter as we read.
Step 8: Incorporating Fun Activities
I decide to have themed activities or board games related to our book to make the meetings more engaging and fun for everyone.
Step 9: Matching Virtual Tools
For family members who can't join in person, I set up virtual meeting tools like Zoom or Google Meet so they can still participate in our discussions.
Step 10: Kick-off Meeting
On the day of our first meeting, I prepare everything: the snacks, the seating, and the discussion questions. I’m excited to kick off our family book club and see how everyone interacts with the book!