Customer Reviews

Talking About Books: A Step-By-Step Guide for Participating in a Book Discussion Group

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I was terribly disappointed in the this book and I have alreadysent it back for a refund. It is a VERY thin book with a large fontand the last third of it consists of lined sheets to use for discussion questions. I can use my own tablet, thankyouverymuch, and I don't think it's necessary to include these pages in the book - it's just padding! Not nearly enough content to justify the price. The only thing of value in the book are the definitions of literary terms, but you can look those up in any dictionary. I have seen other books that are far more valuable and I intend to pull them down off of the shelf and forget that I ever bought this one. END

Ms. Fineman's book is an invaluable resource for anyone who is thinking of starting a book club, as well as anyone who simply wants to breathe new life into an existing book club. Tired of showing up and talking about the book you read for 10 minutes before the conversation turns to jobs, dates, kids, etc.? "Talking About Books" provides readers with the tools they need to think about book discussion in a whole new way. It's easy to use and full of practical, yet thought-provoking pointers for getting a discussion going and keeping it going. Since our book club began using "Talking About Books," our discussions have become much more meaningful, as well as entertaining. I actually find that I get more out of the books I am reading, too. I notice things about plot structure, setting, and other literary devices that I never realy focused on before. Whether you are just beginning or are a seasoned book clubber, I highly recommend Ms. Fineman's useful guide. Soon you will be talking about books in a whole new way!

I have been in a bookclub for 2 years. After we discovered this book, our discussions kept getting better and better. In the past, we had used reading guides that we found on the internet. We found that sometimes these questions were too involved or too specific. Talking about Books lists questions that you can use with any book. It is a great resource for new bookclubs as well as for already established ones.

Our book club discussions had been stalling in recent months, or getting off track. After finding this wonderful guide, we have been having incredibly productive and thoughtful conversations about our monthly reads. The author includes lists of questions to ask that lead to discussion in various topics such as conflict and characterization. The book is not only good for discussion groups, but also useful before delving into a novel, to make you think about how well or how poorly the author has constructed plot and characters. It is a wonderful bargain and invaluable tool for anyone who loves books!

Dr. Fineman's background in reading and education make her an authoritative voice on the intricacies of starting and maintaining a book club. I especially liked the step by step approach she takes to showing the process involved in getting a book discussion group going. This book would also be invaluable to those who are already involved in a book club, and who are seeking to make the experience a more interesting, organized and diverse one for all participants.