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By Deborah Maclaren on 13th August 2018
In our second LoveReading Book Club of the Month we are heading to Burgess Hill, West Sussex for the Burgess Hill Mums Bookclub. We spoke to Francine to find our more about her book club (which now has over 40 members) and what books they're loving at the moment.
I had been wanting to join a book club for a while, and as I couldn’t find a local one in the area I decided to set one up as a way to meet new friends and read more books. We are a young book club and have only been running since the start of this year.
Our first book club began as a mum’s meet up which was promoted through the Mush app, and then progressed from there as friends and friends of friends have joined. We meet once a month, but we also have members who enjoy being part of the book club remotely. It’s nice to know when I am reading a book that others are sharing the exact same story at the same time.
Our members have said:
‘friendly, fun and welcoming’
‘fun, chilled, lovely’
‘fun, friends and frolics’
A different member takes a turn to choose a book each month
Once a month
We usually like to meet at our local tapas bar
It is first and foremost a relaxed and informal atmosphere, we enjoy meeting for tapas and chatting about books and whatever ever is on our minds.
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf, our first classic!
Probably paperback, although some members like to download the books to read on their tablets.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Wild by Cheryl Strayed are both strong contenders with our book club.
No, our group have a very varied taste between members which makes each month exciting as we never know what book could be next!
We jump between genres, which is great as I get to read books I would never have considered before. This year we have read a Sci Fi, ‘Far Fetched Fiction’ (thanks to author Robert Rankin!), a travel memoir, and a young adults novel among others.
‘Making some great new friends’
‘Have loved every meeting and making great friends’
Social media can be helpful to communicate news and events and reach new members, we currently use Facebook to run the club. But really, if you are thinking of starting one, just do it – it’s been so much fun, and a great way to meet new friends.
Here is our year of books so far:
January: Wild by Cheryl Strayed
February: The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse by Robert Rankin
March: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
April: Beartown by Fredrik Backman (also known as ‘The Scandal’ in the UK)
May: The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
June: Vinegar Girl by Anne Tyler
July: Artemis by Andy Weir
August: To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
If you enjoyed this article why not check out our other Book Club Features?
