I’ve never joined a local book club for the simple reason that I like to choose what I read. I don’t want a group leader telling me to read a novel that has no appeal to me, one that I would never pick up to read otherwise. Some may say this is the perfect reason to join a readers’ circle, to be introduced to new writers. It can be a good way to make new friends. But thanks, I don’t care for forced reading when I have plenty of new writers on my own list to try and more titles on my TBR (To Be Read) shelf than I can get to in a lifetime.

Another deterrent to my joining one of these clubs is their focus. Often the group selects literary fiction or bestsellers. If I mention a title by one of my writer friends, or–gasp–one of my own, they roll their eyes or mention those fated words: "We don’t read that stuff/those kind of books/or Is it on the bestseller list?" They’d rather read a story with a sad ending because it’s, you know, literature.

So what’s the solution if I want the comradery of fellow readers, aside from the writers groups to which I already belong? Why, start my own club, of course. Here are my rules:

1. Participants choose their own book to read.

2. Books must be genre fiction: mystery/suspense, romance, or sci fi/fantasy.

3. Titles may not be on any bestseller list. If we don’t support midlist writers, the choices will narrow further than they have already. Look at the chain bookstore shelves: Rows of backlist titles by known authors means less shelf space for new and upcoming writers. If you want variety, you have to seek an independent bookstore. Support your indies! Or even consider having your meetings there if you’re lucky enough to have one close by.

4. At each monthly meeting, members will have the opportunity to discuss their read: why they liked it, what made them choose that title, what elements appealed to them, etc. I have written a detailed guide for booklovers to use as an aid to discussions. Email me privately if you would like a copy of this guide. It applies to any fiction title.

5. Books that are finished but are not destined for the keeper shelf may be offered to members first before being donated elsewhere (i.e. BookCrossing.com). Preferably, do not trade recently published books at used bookstores or sell them online. Used books do not count toward an author’s royalties and these sales, while they may help an author gain new readers, do not count toward current sales figures that publishers use to assess an author’s track record before offering a new contract. If another member doesn’t want the book, consider donating it to a women’s shelter or a library or leave it in the wild through bookcrossing.com.

6. Provide refreshments. People always want to come when food is offered.

Hopefully, this type of book club will appeal to independent readers who want to make new friends and discuss books but don’t want to be told what to read. It’s also a great way to learn about new authors. If your friend raves about a work, you might want to try it. So what could be better than making a recommendation based on what you choose to read?

Let me know if you find this idea compelling.

Sounds like a great club, Nancy. I'm sure very few readers are aware of what goes on 'behind the scenes' in the writing business.

I think it would be wonderful to be able to chat about books we like (or maybe some that let us down). Word of mouth seems a better way to discover new authors rather than a mandated read.

I LOVE this idea! I get so frustrated with book clubs that won't read diversified books. I had a book club with college friends for a while. And THREE of the books chosen were by Joanne Harris. Come on!

You know what they say, Terry and Terri: great minds think alike. Those of us who don't want to follow the crowd prefer to make our own choices. I think this is a terrific idea for a book club.

I really like your idea! I've never joined a book club either although I'm an avid reader of genre fiction. So many great books never become bestsellers because their publishers are small independents that don't have the distribution of the big pubs.

Jacqueline Seewald
THE INFERNO COLLECTION, Five Star/Gale

I like your plan for two reasons.First, I love promoting lesser known mystery writers in The Murder Circle. So many authors who aren't on the best seller list deserve to be read and find an audience. A book club like this would give me even more authors to include
Second, I'll go one step further. I'm willing to donate arc copies of my own novel to anyone in the potential cyber book club to get the ball rolling. I think it would be fun to have a Q & A with readers. There's lots of questions I always want to ask authors when I finish their novels.
My local library has asked me to head up a summer mystery reading program. I intend to expand the awareness of readers to the little gems on the market. A club like this might be just what they need.

Ooooo, I do like your idea. I think not only would new and not-so-well known authors be promoted, but members of the book club would "grow" in their knowledge and appreciation.

Apart from the refreshments, it sounds very much like 4_mystery_addicts, a yahoo group for addicted mystery readers. We vote for which book to read next and they rarely are bestsellers. And because it's online and there are plenty of members, if a book doesn't appeal, you don't have to feel guilty for not reading it.

There is a "virtual pub" connected to 4MA where refreshments and bad puns are served.

I couldn't agree more. I've never joined a book club since every time I see a reading list for one it's always literary stuff that I know would bore me to tears. Makes me wish I lived in Florida so I could join you in such a book club.:)

Your idea would result in a club that lots of readers, including me, would want to join. I love it!

This idea is really resonating, isn't it? I will have to think on whether this would work in cyberspace or in real time...or both. But like you gals, I'm tired of my favorite books being excluded by local readers groups.

I like this idea a lot. I've never joined a bookclub for the reasons others have stated and I can't remember the last time I read a novel on the "Literary Best Seller List." I can't wait to suggest this to a group of my mystery reding and writing friends.

I love this idea! Brilliant!

Hi, I found your blog through MMA. Great idea. I would join a cyberclub like that. Are you interested in the readers that are living i.e. in Europe? A cyberclub might help authors sell threir midlist books to readers like me, too. The books are available through the Internet, right?

Laine

I devised this idea for folks to discuss their favorite books in their local community as a way for genre booklovers to get together and meet other readers. Cyberspace-wise, it would be open to any participants. But how to make this different from other sites where people chat about the books they're reading? Your suggestions, please?

And I'd add two suggestions:
1) Along with food, offer wine. :)
2) Invite local genre authors to your book club meetings occasionally, so you can find out more about the fiction writing process and ask those "Why did you write..." questions.

Love this idea! Thanks for blogging about it, Nancy.

Nancy, what a wonderful and refreshing idea. I agree w/Beth Groundwater, add wine to the refreshments and I'm in.
Seriously, I wish you well with this project.

Nancy, I belong to a cyber bookclub and it really does work well. What I like best about your idea, though, is the support of midlist authors. I'm pretty tired of buying more NYT best-sellers when my money could be going to authors that are every bit as good and could use my support! So I'll propose to my cyber group that we stay away from the big shots.

Locally, our Sisters in Crime has been sponsoring a bookclub at a local independent bookstore. Each meeting is hosted by a local author. It hasn't draw the numbers we'd like, but we're still refining the idea.

If you did this, cyberwise, I'm not sure how it might work, but I bet there's a way. Maybe you could simply post a notice on MMA or DL what the BOM is. Perhaps you could ask mid-list authors to "sign up" and each take a month when his/her book would be spotlighted?

Thanks for your ideas. I want to avoid suggesting one book for everyone to read. That defeats the purpose of independent choices and we wouldn't want to become a showcase for author promo in that regard. The idea is to rave about the books we love and maybe inspire other readers to try them. Having a guest author speak or blog once in a while is a good idea too. And for a local community group, wine works for me!

Okay, I've started a Genre Book Club on Facebook. If you're not already a member of this online social network, it's easy to join. Please check out my new group!

What a brilliant idea. The idea of book clubs always seemed like homework to me, but this sounds like fun and a great way to spread the word about new authors. Hey, if people don't support the midlist, who will be our future best sellers?

This is a great idea, Nancy. I have not joined book clubs for the same reasons you cited. One of these days I will go over to Facebook and check out the club you started.

I absolutely love this idea!!! One of the main reasons I tend to stay away from book clubs is the reasons that you have listed. I want to read what I want to read, and I love the idea of supporting midlist authors!!! I find I enjoy them more than some of the big names!!! Fabulous idea Nancy!! :)

Great idea! One comment, a book club read my latest, Judgment Fire, purchased a book for each member from me, and asked me to come visit with them when they discussed it. Of course I went. What great fun--they asked lots of questions and purchased the book that came out just before that one.

That was great!

As an author of historical mysteries always looking for ways to promote my books -- my new one, DEATH OF A BAWDY BELLE, just came out -- I've gotten some great ideas just from your comments! For the record, I've been reading all Beverle Graves Meyers books with Venician hero, Tito Amato, an unusual detective -- and this was before I served on a panel with her at Malice Domestic.

You should hang with my book club. We wade through pages of ideas and pick a bunch that we all agree on. If someone's opposed, that's a book that can be read independently.

But I'd love to be in this sort of group you decide, too. I love to be with other readers, talking books.

I love this idea!!! I just recently started a new book club and there are about 8 of us. We read what we want and then discuss them the next month.

I don't like having to read a book just because everyone else is reading it. AND, to be perfectly honest....most of the best sellers aren't on my list.

I just recently got into reading cozies and can't seem to hoard enough!

Great idea!!!! It would be nice to have some sort of direction, tho, on leading a book club. I just jumped in with both feet and yelling YAHOOOOOOOO!!!

Thanks, everyone, for your comments. Char, I can send you my bookclub guidelines as an aid to discussions. And please check out my new Genre Book Club on Facebook. This blog subject has brought me more responses than any other, including a private message from a friend defending her club where they read bestsellers chosen by a committee. It's amazing that folks feel so strongly about this topic.

That is a fantastic idea Nancy. I've been toying with the idea of starting a book club in my small town but many of the things you mentioned stopped me. I think that each person choosing their own book and then "presenting" it to the other is a wonderful way to respect each person's choice in reading and also get everyone discovering new authors.

Hey, Nancy! Do you remember me? I used to review your books - now I write my own! Just proves that anyone can get a book published...(Just kidding!)

Your idea sound great. I've never joined a book club for exactly the reasons you stated. I would be very interested.

Nancy Mehl

Of course, I remember you, Nancy. And I'm grateful for the reviews you did early in my career. Wishing you luck with your own book sales!

I love the idea and would love to join--especially since I can bring my glass of red wine! As Sunny, I'd be happy too kick it off by submitting an ARC of my latest book too -- Deadly Sins Deadly Secrets.

Look forward to getting details!

Fabulous idea Nancy! I've never had to join a book club, though. When I worked for the American Red Cross I'd have at least 20 minutes to discuss whatever I wanted with each donor. Needless to say, we usually discussed books. I would take care of three donors at the same time and boy, we got some good discussions going. Now, it will be my dialysis patients who will be picking up guppy books. Word of mouth is a wonderful thing. ~ Dianne:)

Hey, Dianne, what a wonderful topic to discuss while distracting your patients from the procedure. Good for you!