Welcome to the October 2015 edition of the Christian Fiction Book Club Connection. Thanks for stopping by! Whether you’re a pastor or ministry leader thinking of forming a book discussion group at your church, a current member of a book club, or simply a fan of Christian fiction hoping to connect with other readers, you’re in the right place. Please consider subscribing to my blog so you won’t miss future posts.
Today I’m providing information on Christian fiction discussions scheduled to take place around the web this month. I’m also featuring a handful of recently released Christian fiction titles for which a discussion guide is available, either included in the book itself or on the author’s or publisher’s web site. Then I’ll wrap up the post with a discussion question I’d like you to chime in on.
Online Discussions Coming Up This Month
The ACFW Book Club‘s October selection is Spy of Richmond by Jocelyn Green. You can subscribe to the group’s e-mail list now, by following the instructions on their Web site, to be sure not to miss any announcements or discussion questions.
For October, the Christian Fiction Devourers group on Goodreads is discussing After a Fashion by Jen Turano AND The Hesitant Heiress by Dawn Crandall. Grab your copies and head on over to the discussion forum to check in with others who are in the midst of reading these books.
The #HedlundChallenge2015 features discussion of one of author Jody Hedlund’s historical fiction novels each month. The discussion is hosted in alternating months by Jamie of Books and Beverages and Cassie of Bookshelves and Windows. October is the last month for this challenge, so if you’ve been wanting to participate, now’s the time! This month, participants will be discussing Luther and Katharina at Jamie’s blog beginning October 27th (discussion details here and here).
For fans of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, Jamie of the Books and Beverages blog hosts a monthly Inklings discussion series. Sometimes fiction, sometimes non-fiction, the title for the month of October is Bedeviled: Lewis, Tolkien and the Shadow of Evil by Colin Duriez. Discussion is scheduled to begin on October 21st.
The Cherished Book Club, the Christian Fiction Book Club, and the Fans of Christian Romance Goodreads group are taking breaks from discussion for the time being.
Recent Christian Fiction Releases Featuring Discussion Guides
Last Chance Hero by Cathleen Armstrong (September 2015, Revell, Contemporary Romance)
A Reluctant Bride by Kathleen Fuller (September 2015, Thomas Nelson, Amish Romance)
Bathsheba: Reluctant Beauty by Angela Hunt (September 2015, Bethany House, Biblical Fiction)
Let’s Chat!
October has been dubbed National Reading Group Month! So for those who are already members of book discussion groups … if you could offer one bit of advice to someone thinking about starting a brand new group, what would it be?
When I started my book club, By The Book, we had a general meeting to discuss what the members wanted out of the group. We settled on the frequency of meetings, where and when we would meet, and the type of books that we wanted to read. This established a structure that has kept us on track 13 years later. Having a committee or poll to choose books is a good thing too. We select our books for the entire year. I send out a list of books to choose from and those with the most votes are put on the list. It takes a bit of time and organization, but members know well in advance what we are reading. It is especially helpful when books go on sale!
Even with all this structure, it pays to be flexible. We occasionally have to move meeting dates to accommodate busy schedules. We have also changed up where we meet. We started out meeting in member’s homes then moved to a local restaurant about 5 years ago. Our dwindling attendance immediately bumped up. We try to spice up meetings to keep them fresh and interesting. We have had movie nights, field trips, and author events (book signings, author calls). We welcome new members and the return of members who have to take a break.
My book club originated out of a desire to read and discuss books. And we do that, but the friendships that have developed are the real reason we keep meeting.
Great question! Can’t wait to read what others have done.
Sounds like wonderful advice, Beckie. I like that everyone had a chance to weigh in on how the club would work beforehand and on what books they’ll be reading. And meeting at a restaurant sounds like such a fun and easy option. It’s great to hear that you guys have grown so close over the years. Thanks so much for sharing!