The NRC was delivered by the NLT on behalf of the DCSF
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Useful links and resources relating to reading groups
Jenny Hartley, in The Reading Groups Book, suggests
that there may be as many as 50,000 people in reading groups
in the UK. As the number of reading groups grows, so does
their diversity. From a Bengali group in Enfield, to groups
for the visually impaired, to those for dads and lads, the
wide range shows how the idea can be used by different people
to best fit their own community. There are also lots of
reading groups for children and teenagers. At its simplest,
a reading group can be a few friends or colleagues meetings
in a home or pub, discussing a book. For a more supported
structure, libraries are excellent venues, allowing more
open access and often a broader cross-section of members.
Setting up a group
Try to target your audience. You could focus on some of
the following:
- a particular group of people: colleagues at work, teenagers,
adult learners, an over 60s coffee morning, or a group
of neighbours
- a particular time: lunchtime reading group, a weekly
or a monthly meeting
- a particular purpose: short books for people with little
time, exploring new genres, or books for holidays
- a particular theme: growing up, food, weepies, sports
or different worlds
Ideas for early sessions
- a questionnaire about reading habits. Where do you
read? What are your favourite types of book? Do you borrow
books from the library or do you prefer to own them?
- discuss the books you remember from childhood and the
effect they had on you
- ask everyone to bring along a book that made them cry
or laugh out loud
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