The Reading Group Handbook: Everything You Need to Know, from Choosing Membersto Leading Discussions

Sponsored by bookstores and spawned by circles of book-loving former strangers, reading groups have become a nationwide phenomenon. This unique guide is must reading for everyone interested in enjoying reading or reading groups--from where and when to meet to selecting books to finding baby sitters and catering.

Covering everything you ever needed to know about reading groups, Jacobsohn's book goes beyond Ellen Slezak's The Book Group Book (LJ 10/15/93) by leaving nothing to chance. A professional reading group leader, Jacobsohn describes in detail what a book group is, where it could meet, what costs it might incur, what administrative tasks to expect, what rules might be enforced, whether discussions should be led by a member or a professional, how to guide group dynamics, and what topics might be discussed. She even devotes an entire chapter to food (including recipes). Six appendixes follow the text and include selected reading lists on a variety of topics at different levels; a glossary of literary terms; and author information (although some of her information on indexes and library sources is naively misleading). Useful for readers requiring a comprehensive guide to forming a successful book group.
Cathy Sabol, Northern Virginia Community Coll., Manassas
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Jacobsohn is a professional reading group leader who has put her two decades of experience into this guide on organizing and running a productive, harmonious group. Beyond the basics of newsletters, fees, and food (recipes included), Jacobsohn discusses personality types and how they can blend or clash within a reading group. Finally, the essentials of book selection are covered, including pages of book lists developed by the author and by the readers of her newsletter, Reading Women. Denise Perry Donavin