6 Women Every Book Club Needs

A few months back I was in the place where every avid reader finds herself at some point in time. I had just read Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl and didn’t know anyone else who had (OK, I was a little late in the game, as I had been reading nothing but non-fiction for three years!). The point is, I was alone and bereft in my Gillian-loving world—and wanting more than anything to discuss the book with someone equally enthralled. As far as I was concerned, reading this novel was the most seismic, thought-provoking, mind-blowing experience I had ever had (aside from a recent relocation to a new country, a major career change, and a reluctant parting with 25 pairs of my favorite shoes), and no one knew what I was going on about.

So I did the obvious thing: I started an online book club. And that has turned out to be the best thing I have done in the past year (aside from changing careers and shifting across timelines). I now have my very own group of book-obsessed, wacky cohorts who are reading the same fiction and non-fiction as I am and can’t wait to let it all hang out—both on the book page, and together even when there is no book discussion. Of course, what makes my book club—or any book club for that matter—both fun and addictive are the group dynamics. If you make sure you have these six types of women represented in your club, you are off to a rollicking good start.

1. The Importance of Being Earnest. Every club needs one or more of these. You need people who will follow rules and timelines. After all, a book discussion is far more fun when everyone participates. This member always reads the posts and comments. She reads the chosen book all the way through and enthusiastically takes part in the discussions. She posts interesting content of her own volition. She is the adult equivalent of a teacher’s pet and essential to the group’s longevity. Make sure you encourage this little elf and keep her happy.

2. The Outlier. We all know that girl in school who was reading Nietzsche when the rest of us were mooning over the Hardy Boys. Well, the Outlier is that girl all grown up. She does not read books off the bestseller list, so she’ll make sure that’s not all the club reads. She’ll introduce you to little-known authors and you will be the richer for it. Of course, you may have to fight off some of her reading suggestions, such as that “simply amazing” book on the history of statistics. But hey, you also get to savor The Bed of Procrustes.

3. The Peacemaker. This chick is the calming voice of reason and someone everyone likes. You need her when book discussions get too heated. She ensures that the conversations do not travel to Timbuctoo and, if they do, she steers them back on track. You notice that any time she misses a meeting, book talk has a tendency to drift off into random discussions—usually initiated by The Fun One (see number 4)—about the latest blockbuster movies or members’ recent dating escapades. So make sure she shows up.

4. The Fun One. This is the woman who posts witty comments that make you giggle. She keeps the energy up among members and makes them want to stay in the club. The main Funny Girl in my club speaks her own brand of English and now our vocabulary has expanded to include words like louwww (to really love something) and ott (an abbreviation of that’s what). Keep her in check, though, or you will talk about everything else but books.

5. The Contrarian. This is the woman in the club who disagrees with everything. She has strong opinions and does not mind voicing them. And although she likes to take an opposing stance, she is lots of fun. Her viewpoint sparks controversial discussions that make you think totally out of the box. The only problem you may have with this member is encouraging her to let others have a say, just sometimes.

6. The Enforcer. One of a book club’s biggest challenges is making sure that everyone more or less reads at the same pace—or at least reads. The Enforcer’s job is to cajole, persuade and sometimes coerce people to read the books and then contribute to the discussions. This pivotal player also tries to keep the conversation somewhat book centric and is not above administering a virtual rap on the knuckles to the naughty children in the class—err, book club. Note: If you’re The Enforcer, you may get labeled “whipstress,” but you know the truth: that everything you do is for the good of the club, and if it weren’t for those disobedient other members, you wouldn’t need to be so tough. So there!

Now that you have all six beguiling book club members in place, happy reading to all!