Reading groups and poetry groups

What is a reading group?

Reading groups have been around for years but they have recently enjoyed an enthusiastic revival in many public libraries and the media in general. They can take the form of two or three friends meeting at home or some other venue to discuss books and share recommendations; online virtual reading groups or library based groups .

Library based groups aim to provide a fun and relaxing environment where readers can enjoy and share each other's opinions and experiences of books. Refreshments are provided and everyone is welcome. Here is one person's experience of our Reading groups:-

When I was persuaded to join the group, at an inaugural meeting I was pleasantly surprised at the ease with which we combined and at the enthusiasm of the members. As reading is a solitary activity, I'd assumed there wouldn't be interaction, but from the start, everyone would have something to say about the chosen book.  Although our tastes varied, without exception, members would listen to and appreciate an account of the story from an entirely different angle. This would result in side discussions of other books, novelists, films and plays, resulting in lively meetings that needed the librarian to bring us back to the subject we were reviewing! Most of the books chosen for evaluation have been novels I would have ignored on the shelves, but having to review, have enjoyed most of them and my taste and choice of reading matter has broadened.  We are encouraged to pen an appraisal and I enjoy putting my thoughts into words. Seeing my work published on the Library website and an occasional printed critique in the library is satisfying, even though I'm not a budding author, (yet)!.  Whether our consideration of these novels assist the library user, one can't say, but we enjoy our meetings and get great pleasure in dissecting the books in a constructive way and hope our passion for the printed word is catching.  Dennis

The links on the left will take you to your library's reading group page.

Online reading groups and book reviews via the People's Network

reader2readeris a website designed particularly for the People's Network and is for readers to exchange views and recommendations about the books they are reading.  It includes lots of interesting features, like Bin a Book, where you can consign a book that was disappointing, over hyped or just downright bad, and Persuaders, where, this month, readers of literature in translation are trying to tempt you with a variety of books from writers around the world.

There is also a live chat room which is available at set times each month. I hope you find time to have a look at the website and maybe visit the live chat.

For book award lists and reviews or commercially available books try Amazon , WHSmith, Man Bookeror Readroutes.  

Get London Reading is a local website and  Love Librariesis a campaign to make libraries better and is transforming three libraries in 12 weeks.  Which Book suggests books with various characteristics via a number of graded categories (e.g. Happy/Sad, Easy/Demanding,). It will also suggest "books like" the ones that come up as a result of your selection. The Fiction Cafeis a virtual cafe for all things books.

All of these may provide ideas which you can then pursue through your local library.