Joining the Neighbourhood Book Club

Have you ever wanted to read more widely, discover new authors and meet friendly people who share your love of reading? The Oakwood Neighbourhood Book Club has been bringing local readers together for more than ten years, and we are always happy to welcome new members. This leaflet explains how the club works and how you can join.

How the club works

We meet once a month, on the first Thursday of the month, in the community room at the back of the public library. Meetings begin at seven in the evening and usually last about ninety minutes. Each month we discuss a single book that everyone has agreed to read in advance. The choice of book is made by the group at the previous meeting, so that everyone has a say in what we read next, and we try to vary our choices between fiction and non-fiction, and between well-known classics and more recent titles.

Getting hold of the books

You do not need to buy the books we read. The library keeps several copies of each month's chosen title, which members can borrow free of charge, and copies are also often available as audiobooks and e-books for those who prefer them. Because the number of printed copies is limited, we recommend borrowing yours as early in the month as possible. If you would rather buy your own copy, the bookshop on the high street offers members of the club a small discount on request.

What happens at a meeting

Meetings are relaxed and informal, and there is no need to prepare anything in advance beyond reading the book. One member volunteers to lead each discussion, introducing the book and suggesting a few questions to get the conversation going, but everyone is encouraged to share their thoughts. You should not worry if you did not enjoy the book, or even if you did not manage to finish it; some of our best discussions have been about books that divided opinion. We ask only that members are courteous and allow everyone a chance to speak.

Membership and costs

There is no membership fee, and the club is run entirely by volunteers. We do, however, pass round a collection at each meeting to cover the cost of tea, coffee and biscuits, and any small contribution is welcome. You are under no obligation to attend every month; members come as often as they are able, and no one will mind if you miss a meeting or two. That said, we do ask that you let the organiser know if you have put your name down to lead a discussion but find you cannot attend, so that someone else can take over.

Special events

Twice a year we hold a special event in addition to our regular meetings. In the summer we organise an outing, which in recent years has included visits to literary festivals and to the former homes of famous writers. Around the end of the year we hold a social evening at which we look back on the books we have read and choose a few favourites. These events are a lovely way to get to know other members, and guests are welcome to come along.

How to join

Joining could not be simpler: just come along to a meeting. There is no need to sign up in advance, though it is helpful if you can let the organiser know you are coming so that we can make sure there is a copy of the book for you. You are welcome to attend a meeting or two to see whether the club suits you before deciding to become a regular member. Some people worry that they will not have anything interesting to say, or that the other members will all know far more about books than they do. Please do not let this put you off. Our members come from all walks of life and read at all sorts of speeds, and what matters is not expert knowledge but a willingness to share your honest reactions and to listen to those of others. If you have any questions, please speak to a member of library staff, who can pass your details to the organiser, or leave a message on the club's page on the community website.