Skill Building Book Clubs

Book clubs are fun, but they can also serve a serious purpose in building skills for life and work.  The sections on Working in Groups and Reading for Discussion in Reading-for-Fun outline the way discussion works best, and give a structure for debate that is constructive, but not threatening. 

Reading-for-Fun has a wide range of books, including some very straight forward ones which would be suitable for new readers.  They are enjoyable, rather than overtly instructive.  There is a huge range of other books that could be chosen for skill building book clubs; these could be chosen to suit the needs of particular groups, for example young people. 

Reading groups can help develop such skills as

• Cooperation
• Shared commitment
• Communication skills, both speaking and listening
• Thinking skills

• Leading a discussion of a book is good practice for presenting a case or a report.
• Managing a discussion is good practice for chairing a committee.
• Reading can give a sense of achievement and personal satisfaction.
• Discussion can give an opportunity to develop and share views arising from life experience, and how it relates to what has been read. 
• A book club is a useful and fun way to put people in touch and give them a reason for keeping touch.  It is a good way of practising social skills that may have been learnt in a different context.

To purchase the Reading-for-Fun CD-ROM, follow the Order Form link.