The Book Group Book
   Ellen Slezak
  1995 Chicago Review Press Chicago IL USA
   ISBN: 1556522460


A Thoughtful Guide to Forming & Enjoying a Stimulating Book Discussion Group. Essays written, often collectively, by members of many & varied groups together with a What To Read section.

With a foreword that only Margaret Atwood could write, this second edition of Ellen Slezak's collection of quirky, humorous & serious essays gathered from book groups around the country, enchants, entertains & had me plotting how to start a group out of our local library.

It's the voices, you see, such a variety. One is pert & contentious, claiming their non-group is the best kind of group; another is two voices braided as one offers a poignant history; another briskly lists many years of how they did it; still another earnestly explains, another lectures & yet another teases. Voices as varied as any you'd find in any group.

This book is in six parts: See, it's more than just a book group; Good groups, plain and simple; Groups with a twist; Follow the leader; See, it's really more than just a book group and What to Read.

I relished reading the groups' booklists in What To Read. From simply titles & authors to short reviews & a mini-discussions of the discussions, I found myself nodding at choices & writing up a wish list.

A very enjoyable read, well done everyone!
(05/09/99)

Rebecca