Using nonfiction in book groups.

A very nice group of library professionals in South Carolina invited me to chat with them briefly yesterday about using nonfiction titles in book groups, and I sincerely hope a good time was had by all.* (I know I enjoyed myself thoroughly.)

My brief notes on the program and a list of suggested NF book titles can be found in the sidebar, under the Readers' Advisory Programs heading, or by clicking here.

The way I see it, there are some difficulties using NF, but most of those challenges actually lead to new opportunities. For instance: whenever a librarian is running a book group, almost always the first thing they have to consider is whether or not their library or library system owns enough of the books to pass out to book group readers (usually at least 5-15 copies, and preferably some in different formats, like audio books, large print, and now, of course, ebooks). I find this an obnoxious limit, because almost all of the NF titles I really want to discuss are owned in much smaller numbers than that. Nonfiction is also sometimes challenging to discuss because some people can be put off by the "realness" of it (particularly with sex, violence, and of course, profanity, which often seems to bother people more than the first two, which I'll never ever understand); nonfiction can also take longer to read, and can be perceived as lacking in "style" to discuss.

To all of those drawbacks, I say: pshaw!

I've been thinking about nonfiction in the shower** for the last few days, wondering how it could be used in book groups. And now, of course, I'm somewhat annoyed that I don't work in a library right now, because I'd love to try some things out. For instance, I'd love to work around the title availability question by offering book groups with unified themes or formats rather than everyone having to read the same title. So, what about: a book group discussing a variety of nonfiction graphic novels. What about focusing on a particular author, and offering 2-3 different choices of that author's fiction and nonfiction? (Calvin Trillin comes to mind here, as does someone like James Howard Kunstler.)

As far as discussing the "style" of nonfiction, well, you know I could do that all day. How did the author decide to write on this subject? How much truth is in this memoir, do you think? How did this author look at this historical or biographical subject in a fresh way? How comprehensively is this book researched and referenced? The possible questions abound.

Above all, I did sound a note of caution about always falling into the "we must find nonfiction that reads like fiction" trap. Nonfiction has become increasingly "narrative," offering much more in storylines and character development than it used to (perhaps because that is what sells). But sometimes the less narrative stuff is fun to discuss too. Personally, I read nonfiction because it is NOT fiction. I remember when I read Suze Orman's first book, mainly out of curiosity, I really wanted to discuss that puppy with someone--she devotes a lot of pages in that one to her own relationship with money, in addition to laying out some good financial precepts. There's no real story there, but it was interesting, particularly in light of the fact that Suze went on to become her own huge personal financial brand.

Anyway: that was long-winded. Sorry. What I meant to ask was, is anyone out there using NF in your book groups? How is it going? What titles have you used, successfully or not?

*Thanks for having me, Richland County Public Library system!

**This sounds kinky, but mainly my 5-10 minutes in the shower are the only minutes during which I can focus lately.

Comments

[Venta]

This is a great topic! I'm not a working librarian right now, but I am trying my first book group at my branch library. (See CR's reasons for why I've never done one of these except her menage!) Since its October, the book is Stephen King's Pet Semetary (the book discussion will include watching the movie.) I thought the first "rule" of book group selections was not to choose genre fiction, but as I read the book and think about the possible topics to discuss, I think these rules are meant to be bent including the one on nonfiction. I love your suggestion on reading different books by the same author or books on similar themes. What about books on opposing ideas? Maybe even a month that asks readers to read a book that contradicts their own ideas? I'm looking forward to reading your notes!

[Jim STaskowski]

Hi Sarah. Thank you for visiting us in Richland County. We really enjoyed it and learned a lot. Jim

[Citizen Reader]

Venta,
For myself, I kind of wish a library would do a "kids friendly" book group or something. I'm sure it would be a nightmare in practice, but I wouldn't mind meeting up with a few others watching kids during the day and discussing books. You know, while the kids are just in the room with you, reading their books or playing or whatever, while we just keep half an eye on them. A gal can dream, right? Let me know how your explorations of library book groups go!

I think genre picks are a great choice for book groups, and it almost seems to me lately that all (library) book groups I see are genre-related. Mystery, Fantasy, etc.

All of this reminds me we should Menage here soon!

Jim,
It was my pleasure. Thank YOU.

[laura]

I have done tons of nonfiction books for book discussions (including one just last night, on The Latehomecomer by Kao Kalia Yang). I am of course doubtless biased, since I have a master's degree in nonfiction writing, but I've never found it any less worthy of discussion (or any less easy to discuss) than fiction.

I am too tired now to recall specific titles that worked well, but my general "pick at least some books people will hate" strategy always seems to lead to good discussions.

I would LOVE a kid-friendly book group. Maybe I should start one.

[Citizen Reader]

Laura,
How did discussing "The Latehomecomer" go?
LOVE the tip about picking some books people will hate. Good tip, that.
I wish you and Baby X lived near us so we could start our own kid-friendly book group! :)

[bybee]

My book group in Seoul read Escape From Camp 14 by Blaine Harden.

[Care]

Our book club mixes in 2 or 3 nonfic choices each year - right now we are reading The Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius and all of us enjoyed Egger's Zeitoun a few years ago. Other titles: The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman, Little Bighorn by Joe Marshall III, Cheryl Strayed's Wild, Three Cups of Tea and Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and ?. I missed the month when we read one by a local author: Dirty Bombshell by Lorna Brunelle. Unbroken was suggested last month but got voted down.

But, really? We really don't get much book discussion at our meetings. OR not as much as I would like. :)