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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / for fun / Why you should start a Book Club!

Why you should start a Book Club!

April 22, 2015 · 16 Comments
Filed Under: for fun

book club maggie whitley

I’ve been making more of an effort to read more often, either during naptime or once the kids are in bed at night, during the quiet times of day when I really need a few minutes to myself :) After I read Jessica Turner’s The Fringe Hours (which I absolutely loved and highly recommend) I decided it was time to start a book club. Definitely time.

library book club maggie whitley

Being a part of a book club is something I’ve been wanting to do for years. My mom is in one and I know she enjoys it so much. I started by inviting the friends I see frequently, then I invited some friends I don’t see very often (but wish I did), and then lastly I suggested for these friends to invite someone they know.

There are about 13 women in the book club, which is perfect because I know not everyone will be able to make our meetings (we’re meeting every 6 weeks to discuss the book), but there are still enough women who can come that book club for sure happen. And honestly, I need this book club. It’s a dedicated bit of time on my calendar just for me. It gives me a personal hobby to focus on in between meetings. Reading enlightens me, calms my mind and gives me a fresh perspective. I host at our apartment on a Saturday morning, and everyone who shows up can drink their coffee while it’s still hot and doesn’t have to cut the food on their plate into sixteen small pieces. Or share ;)

We had our second meeting last weekend; it was so refreshing and hope-filled. For our first book we read Still Alice (a heavy topic for sure, but so well-written and incredibly interesting to read), and our current book is The Husband’s Secret. A close second for book #2 was Dear Mr. Knightley. A book I read a few months ago (and highly recommend (it was so detailed!)) is What Alice Forgot, if you’re looking for one more title to add to your reading list.

I should have known book club was in my future. I mean, I was a very enthusiastic member of The Baby-Sitters Club when I was a tweenie and COULD NOT get enough of the books ;) And every time I visit my parents I’m tempted to bring my entire collection back to Los Angeles.

(Zack, if you’re reading this: that was your warning.)

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16 Comments
Filed Under: for fun

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Comments

  1. Daisy - émoi émoi says

    April 22, 2015 at 7:06 am

    A bookclub sounds like a great idea! I hope it goes well :)

    http://en.emoi-emoi.com/blog/

    Reply
  2. Jen says

    April 22, 2015 at 9:56 am

    I am not in a book club at the moment, but have been in the past and they are so fun!! I did read Still Alice as part of my own personal goal to read more fiction this year and it was an unbelievable book! Have fun with your club, now it makes me want to start one of my own!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      April 22, 2015 at 1:41 pm

      do it, do it, DO IT! :)

      Reply
  3. Amanda says

    April 22, 2015 at 10:57 am

    I am wanting to start a book club but have never been a part of one. When you say you meet every 6 weeks…does that mean you choose a book and have 6 weeks to finish before meeting to discuss? Then a new book is chosen, etc.?

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      April 22, 2015 at 1:42 pm

      You got it! :) But if someone can’t read it, or doesn’t finish on time — not a problem! My goal for Book Club is to have some girlfriend time, having a book to discuss is kinda secondary :)

      Reply
  4. Sarah Ronk says

    April 22, 2015 at 2:39 pm

    Yes!! I started a book club for the same reasons!! (Been meeting for 7 years now!) A time for *just me* that’s so needed and good for me… a quiet introvert, but needs adult time ;-) I’ve only read What Alice Forgot from your list, I’ll have to check those others out! Happy book clubbing!

    Reply
  5. Stacey says

    April 22, 2015 at 5:09 pm

    I took it in a different direction and started a book club with some mommy friends that is also like a bible study. We started with Sarah Mae & Sally Clarkson’s book Desperate, and now we have moved on to Sally Clarkson’s book 10 Gifts of Wisdom.

    This was one of the best decisions of my life. I was discouraged and coming out of the fog of postpartum depression. Having an uplifting time with friends was just what I needed!

    We meet approx every 2 weeks.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      April 22, 2015 at 9:52 pm

      Stacey, you are so inspiring, so proud of you :) and I love Sally’s teachings, she’s soooooo good! :)

      Reply
  6. cindy says

    April 22, 2015 at 7:02 pm

    Book club sounds super fun and can I just say, YOU look Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhmazing. Go girl, go,go,go. Love you Mom W.,

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      April 22, 2015 at 9:54 pm

      Oh my goodness, thankssssssss mom! :D this running thing is turning into crazy town for me, I easily do 4.5 miles/day — I know you’re so proud!!!!!

      Reply
  7. Allison G says

    April 23, 2015 at 6:54 am

    The Husband’s Secret and What Alice Forgot were both so, so good. I wish I could join you for book club! Do you take telecommuters from Pittsburgh?? ;)

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      April 23, 2015 at 9:49 am

      I so wish you could join us! Really, truly wish you could ♥!!!!!!!

      Reply
  8. Casey says

    April 23, 2015 at 1:32 pm

    I’ve thought about joining a book club before, but I’m actually going to do it now, you’ve described something I think I need right now :)

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      April 23, 2015 at 2:28 pm

      ***CONFETTI SHOOTS INTO THE AIR***

      yes!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 8 tips to help you thrive as a mama! says:
    January 15, 2016 at 6:01 am

    […] READ A BOOK: I have so much to share on how important it is to be reading! :) Last year I started a book club. I LOVED having something to read with a group of friends! Every six weeks we met to discuss the […]

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  2. What’s new on my bookshelf. says:
    April 25, 2016 at 6:52 pm

    […] Want even more book inspiration? Here’s why you should start a book club. […]

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in northern Michigan. She has been writing online since 2008.
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