Me and a few lady friends decided to start up a book club. Now, personally, I’ve been part of a couple of book clubs before and had originally tried to start one during covid. So, to finally find that solid group of friends that enjoyed reading just as much as I did is fantastic! Besides one other, none of them have been part of a book club so they are counting on me to get it going. Like they had no idea that having rules was a thing but now realize how important guidelines really make a club work.

Now for those of you who have, or are, part of a book club you know that it’s very important that genres matter, number of pages matter, and even the people in the club matter. (Some might argue on genres, but I’ll cover my opinion on that in a minute.) Other things to consider are if children are allowed, like if one can’t find a babysitter, or bringing a random person.

Let’s start with genre’s matter. Now I’m not saying it needs to be only one genre, I think it’s good to branch out and read things you never saw yourself reading, and I’m all for diversity! But I tend to have a specific genre that is my main go to and those who are in the book club are people I’ve talked to before who I know love the same books as I do—but everyone isn’t the same and that’s what I love. So, saying all that, there are specific genres that I will truly push not to have chosen. For instance, Westerns. My grandma can read them ALL day long but I do not enjoy them at all. I know this book club isn’t called “Rachel’s the boss and makes all the rules club” but those who know me know I will be vocal about certain things. No western genre. (Come to think of it I don’t even think my book clubbers know this….) In the end I’m not worried about it. If someone can sound convincing and sell me on a great storyline, then I’m all in.

Next important rule- page numbers. Kind of obvious that an 800 page book isn’t a great choice. Unless it’s an advanced book club who are all into that. But all of us have full time jobs and families which are two very important priorities. So we try to stay under 400 pages in our choices.

The last rule that I think is the MOST important. And that’s who is allowed in the club. You can call me stuck up or snobby, but I know when the ladies get together we talk—about everything! When we talk about the books and how we feel about them, the discussions can be light and they can also get deep. I want to be able to be around a group of women who I know and trust. People who I know won’t tear me down or make me feel dumb for having the opinion I might have. And we talk more than about the books, we talk about our own personal lives. Listen, those who know me know I can talk A LOT, but in intimate settings like these book clubs I can become vulnerable and share things that I normally wouldn’t. And I want those who are members to feel as if they can as well. So not anyone can join. An anonymous vote will take place if someone wants to consider another addition to our group. Everyone has to be agreement because I don’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable.

Book club is therapy of its own nature. We delve into these characters lives and they bring out all these emotions from us. How many times have you read a really good book and wished there was someone you could talk to about it? So many I can’t even count.

Book Club is sacred to me. I love reading and who better to share that with than a group of women who are strong, passionate, caring, selfless, and often times as weird as me!

So don’t get mad or offended if a book club won’t let you join. I promise you there are plenty of book clubs out there with different outlooks when it comes to members and are more than happy to have you. And if you want your own small group then I encourage you to start your own!