Reading in the time of Covid19

It's a good time to be a Reader

I will be honest, it's been a tough year for a book club member.  It went from gathering and celebrating to total flatline.  New book club dates were made last spring in hopes of starting back up but then those dates were pushed back and more dates were pushed back until finally we made the decision to come up with another way to discuss our current read.

Enter the latest social distance craze video conferencing.  Video conferencing our book clubs kept most of us from going down the proverbial rabbit hole and opened up a new opportunity for us to come together (albeit not physically) in bookish spirit. Adding to it a little bit of fun to your video conference and just like that you're back in book club 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 USA location then tell everyone to show up with their 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. One that is easy to play is: 'What did I just read?' trivia game.  Whoever 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 and whomever 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.  Whoever in the group that guesses the most words from all acting members wins.  Extra points if you use costumes and props.

Prizes - If you as the 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.  You may even want your friends to bring 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