Debate: Should book clubs read the book before meeting or go in blind?

I run a book club with 6 people and we always read the book before discussing. But last month, my friend Sarah insisted we try going in blind, just showing up and talking about the themes from the first chapter only. It actually sparked way better conversation because no one had a full opinion yet. Now half the group wants to switch and half hates the idea. Which side works better for your book club?

2 comments

2 Comments

carter.laura1mo ago

Hard disagree. Blind reading just turns book club into guessing games, not real discussion.

sean7821mo ago

...so my friend Jake tried the blind thing with his group and it was a total disaster. They showed up to talk about the first chapter of this mystery novel and one guy had already finished the whole book by accident. He kept accidentally spoiling stuff and everyone got super annoyed. Plus half the people didn't even bother reading the first chapter so they just sat there quiet. They went back to reading the whole book the next month. So yeah, your mileage may vary big time with that approach.