Since personal calendars fill rapidly, it is usually helpful to plan your meetings at regular intervals or well in advance of the meeting date, so that your members can arrange their schedules accordingly. Keep in mind that there's always a lot for members to catch up on when they finally get together. Setting aside time to socialize during the meeting is a smart bet, and it will help your discussion of the book run smoothly and without interruption. The Place Reading groups are commonly held at a group member's home. If you choose this route, it is a good idea to rotate the hosting duties to keep them from becoming a burden to any one member.
Many groups choose to meet outside the home, in which case there are several options available.
A local bookstore or library may offer a free place to meet, or perhaps a friendly neighborhood cafe or restaurant. Other possibilities may include your church, synagogue, or community center. The Preparation Read the book with the Reading Group Guide's discussion questions in mind, and explore the questions and ideas they raise. Furthermore, the Internet has made it very easy to research themes in the author's work, cultural mores and manners at the time of writing, and customs and attitudes described in the book. Although designating a discussion leader is not essential to a successful reading group, having one can help focus the discussion and make smooth the transitions between member's comments.