This Month we heard from Jane at the Sheffield Book Club. It's a great idea to plan the year's book list in advance, then you can look forward to a year of great reading. I'm definitely making a note of some of the amazing books they've read so far this year.
When did your book club launch? And how did that come about?
Our Bookclub started in 2012 at a cupcake cafe called Fancie, thanks to a member of staff who was an avid reader. I joined shortly after.
Talk to me about how it’s developed over the years.
When the lady who ran bookclub left Fancie, and no one at the shop wanted to take it over, I did. Fancie closed and we have moved home 4 times since then. Cafes keep closing, or changing their opening hours, but we are determined and keep on going.
Describe your book club in three words.
Friendly, cake-loving, females
How do you choose your books?
At our Christmas meal in December, we all bring along a list of 3 or 4 descriptions of books that we fancy reading. Each person reads out their descriptions and as a group, we choose at least one from each members list. This gives us a wide range of books to read and means everyone has had a choice. Choosing them all in December means there is plenty of time to source them (some members get them from the library, some from charity shops, some put them on their Christmas list, and some add them to their online wish list and buy them when they are on offer).
How often do you meet?
Once a month
Where do you meet?
For the last 2 years, we have met at the Cafe Ceres at Hunters Bar, Sheffield
What is the format of your meetings?
We order our tea/coffee/wine/gin and cake. Then we have a set of questions about the book that help us to discuss the book. After that, we share recommendations of other books that we’ve read that month, good things we’ve seen on the TV and generally have a catch up with each other.
What are you reading right now?
Everything You Never Told Me by Celeste Ng
Do you have a favourite format of book? (hardback, paperback, ebook, audiobook)
I wouldn’t be able to choose between hardback, paperback or ebook. I love a hardback or paperback if it’s got a lovely cover but I love carrying a whole library around with me on my e-reader, and I love trying to read quickly to beat the time left reading at the bottom.
What is your favourite book of 2018 so far?
Ooh that’s a difficult one as I’ve read so many good books. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris would be a strong contender.
Do you collectively have a favourite author?
No, we all have very different tastes.
Do you collectively have a favourite genre?
Not really but we love a book that leads to a good discussion which is not always the books we’d expect to lead to the best discussions.
Has there been a particular highlight of your time together?
It would have to be when we’ve had the author of the books we’ve read come along to our discussion.
Talk us through your books of the year so far…
A Man Called Ove by Fredrick Backman
Saving April by Sarah A Denzil
My Name is Leon by Kit de Waal
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
The Book of Dust Volume 1 by Philip Pullman
World Walker by Ian W Sainsbury
He Said, She Said by Erin Kelly
My Sweet Revenge by Jane Fallon
If you were to give anyone out there some advice on setting up a Book Club what would it be?
Make people welcome. Make it clear that it doesn’t matter if they haven’t finished the book (or even started it), they are still welcome.
Please share any social links here so we can share your story and tag you on Facebook, twitter, Instagram etc…
Twitter: @CafeCeres
If you enjoyed this article why not check out our other Book Club Features?
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