Book Club Tool: Closing a Session

Book clubs can be fun! Book clubs can be tricky.  Book clubs can be stimulating, and sometimes they fall flat.  Whatever comes at your next book club, employ one of these closings to articulate each person’s learning and to encourage communication between members.

3 - 2 - 1

Go around the room, starting with the person with the longest sleeves, and each person shares . . .

3 Things I Learned
2 Questions I still have
1 Idea I want to explore
-or-
3 of my favorite characters
2 of my favorite settings
1  of my least favorite events
-or-
3 Things I appreciate about our club
2 Ways I contribute to the group
1  Book I hope we’ll read in the future

Make your own 3-2-1, customized to your club.

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Hots & kNots

Easy peasy: everyone share a hot (positive moment) and kNot (low point or something that isn’t quite settled).  Go around the room, starting with the person who has the darkest color shoes.

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One & One

Even easier, even peasier! ONE thing I’m taking with me & ONE thing I’m leaving behind. For example, “I’m taking with me the point Marcelle made about the mother’s hair and religion; I’m leaving behind my misunderstanding about Blaine’s relationship with his sister.”  Go around the room, starting with the person whose birthday is nearest to today.

Remember that closing doesn’t need to be only happy or easy sharing, but it should support closure for the meeting which provides an out for those that can’t hang all night or for the host that needs to go pick up their child from their after school program. It also allows members to share their learning and for the members to learn a little more about one another.