Reading Group Month
While reading a book alone is certainly an important practice and helpful for learning and growing, the process of reading a book with a group of people takes things to a whole new level.
The act of reading a book collectively provides motivation for reading and the group discussions lend new perspectives and learning opportunities that wouldn’t be experienced in isolation.
National Reading Group Month encourages individuals to get connected with a small group of others with the purpose of diving into literature together, enjoying the fruit of book clubs or groups.
How to Celebrate National Reading Group Month
There is almost no end to the incredible list of opportunities for celebrating and enjoying a myriad of activities during National Reading Group Month! Take a look a few of these ideas to get started:
Join a Reading Group
Of course, the first order of business to celebrate National Reading Group Month is to get out there and join a reading group or book club!
These types of groups can be found through all sorts of connections throughout the community, from the local library to schools or churches, from special interest groups to bookstore postings.
Others might find that an online book club is right for them.
Start a Reading Group
For those who don’t have access to a reading group that feels right for them, perhaps it’s the right time to start one. Gather a few friends who are also interested in reading a similar kind of book and invite them over to get started.
Or, if meeting at home isn’t a great option, choose to meet at a local coffee shop or library, or in the breakroom during lunchtime at work.
Create a Book Recommendation List
One of the challenging parts about hosting a reading group is coming up with the different titles to read. Avid readers can help out folks from a different reading group by creating book recommendations and posting them online.
Whether posting books on Amazon or writing them in a blog, National Reading Group Month is just the right time to make some updates to those recommendations.
Host Reading Group Events for Kids
A big desire of educators and parents is to get kids more interested in reading. And National Reading Group Month is a perfect opportunity to do so.
Classrooms, school libraries, public libraries, community centers and more can get involved with the event by hosting activities that kids of all ages will be excited about.
Invite kids to a special day where they can dress up as a favorite author or character. Encourage students to sign up to participate in reading groups.
Facilitate author signings at local bookstores where kids can get involved. Or hold a book election to let the students choose which books they want to read as a class assignment next!
Check Out Some Amazing Books
Even if it’s not a good time for a person to join a book club, that doesn’t mean they have to miss out on celebrating National Reading Group Month! It’s okay to celebrate by reading alone too.
Those who are looking for a new book to read can take a look at a few of these interesting title selections:
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
- The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak
- Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
- Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard by Echo Brown
History of National Reading Group Month
The first celebration of National Reading Group Month took place in 2007 when it was founded through the collaborative efforts of two sisters, Martha Burns and Alice Dillon.
These two founding women were members of the Women’s National Book Association (WNBA) and the event took place as part of the 90th anniversary celebration of the organization.
Not only were Burns and Dillon founders of the day, but they also literally wrote the book on reading groups, called Reading Group Journal: Notes in the Margin, which was published in 1999.
Complete with tips, quotes, and plenty of space for readers to take their own notes and make their own reflections, this one is a gem that no reading group participant should do without!
After two years of celebrating this important annual event, the organizers took things a step further and launched the Great Group Reads during National Reading Group Month.
This initiative provides 20 titles throughout the year that are suggested for reading groups. Over the years, Great Group Reads has also become an important, well-regarded resource throughout the literary community and a perfect companion to National Reading Group Month.
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