Reading in tough times

It's a good time to be a Reader

I will be honest, it's been a hard couple of years for a book club member.  It went from gathering and celebrating to total flatline.  New book club dates were made  in hopes of starting back up but then those dates were pushed back and more dates were pushed back until the decision was made to come up with a new way to gather and discuss our love for books.

Enter the latest social distance craze video conferencing.  Book club video conferencing is what saved and kept us from going down the proverbial rabbit hole. It opened up a new opportunity for us to come together in bookish spirit and added some much needed fun.  Yes, thanks to video conference platforms we were finally back in business. Don't know how to Zoom?  Read Zoom for Dummies on Amazon.com

However long this pandemic will last we don't know but in the meantime hang in there book friends!  Keep your chin up and read, read, read.  Immerse yourself into a novel and let the beauty of the words carry you through.  

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Phase 1
Get creative with video conferencing

What's a book club without food and drink?  You can still share a meal together like before but instead of everyone bringing a side dish, dessert etc. (see how to start a book club), now everyone will BYOM - bring your own meal and for added flair make it a theme dish for bookish fun.  If you read a novel with a European, Middle East or North America location then come with a book inspired meal. It will be exciting to see what everyone has prepared.  Don't forget to include beverages!

Games -  Stay true to your reading group and play a game before you discuss your book.  Try this:  'What did I just read?' trivia game.  Whomever is in charge of the video conference will need to write out the questions that pertain to the book ahead of time. Short and to the point questions are best. Have everyone write down the answers on a piece of paper, hold up paper to the screen, and whoever gets the most questions correct will win a prize.

Charades - What!?  Yes!  Let everyone know ahead of time to come prepared with one word from the novel. It can be a book character, location, plot, theme whatever you want from the book and do not share with the group until it's your turn to act it out.  Whomever guesses the most words from all acting members wins.  Extra points if you use costumes and props.

Prizes - If you, (as the video conference host), are willing to go the generous mile purchase an Amazon.com egift card for the winners.  Any amount under $10 will give the winners new books to read which is always a win win.  You can also purchase small gifts that are book themed to be directly shipped such as a bookmark and or this cute bookish mug again on Amazon.com.

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Phase 2
Let us discuss outside

The time to consider an outdoor book club is upon us!  If the weather is still in your favor host it outside on a patio with social distancing of course and keep it simple. Have it earlier in the day with everyone bringing an appetizer and drinks or bring your own picnic.  You may even want your friends to supply their own cups and plates to continue being safe. Space out the chairs or blankets on the grass.  Do not give up my friends!  We shall be victorious and with that become better readers and better book club friends in the process.  This soon will pass.

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“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
J.R.R. Tolkien
 The Fellowship of the Ring