Looking to get out and be social? Want a fun activity to try? We’ve got you covered with our monthly activity article.

Each month we will highlight a different activity or event for grown-ups to get out and try. The idea is to get a group of people together to socialize, have fun, and try something new.

You don’t have to be an avid reader in order to enjoy being part of a book club.

I know a lot of people who never really took the time to sit down and read a good book. But then they joined a book club – usually for the social aspect – and LOVED it!

Reading is something we all do on a regular basis; whether it is emails, text messages, the news or magazines. But finding the time to sit and enjoy a book can become difficult, or get pushed to the back burner.

Starting or joining a book club encourages you to start (and finish) a book, as well as gives you the opportunity to discuss, dissect, and share different opinions and viewpoints on the plot and characters. Even more motivating is that is typically done over drinks and appetizers, rounding out the individual activity of reading with a fun group component.

How to Start a Book Club

It doesn’t take much time or energy to get a book club going. All you have to do is:

  • Spread the word and get anywhere from 2 to 10 (or more!) people to join.
  • Decide if there is a genre of book you would like to focus on, and put together a list of prospective titles.
  • Online searches and book stores can help you create a reading list.
  • Choose the first book, create a monthly schedule and decide who will host each month.
  • Read the book, meet at the host’s home at the end of the month. The host can come up with some discussion questions to keep the conversation going. Many books even include a list of questions at the end just for this purpose.
  • At the end of each meeting decide on the book for the next month.
  • Plan for meetings to last about 2 hours.

Reading stimulates the mind, improves memory, boosts concentration, reduces stress, and feeds the imagination. Now combine these benefits with those of social interaction, and you’ve got a recipe for improved overall wellbeing.

For more Pastime Pursuits follow Amintro. We are the social app for those 50 plus looking to make new friends and expand their social circles. Find like-minded people in your community and then meet with confidence in person.

Join for free here or learn more about us, our community and how to become an Amintronian by following us on Twitter: @AmintroFriends, or liking us on Facebook: AmintroFriends.

By Christine Tompa

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