Men and women enjoy participating in books groups. Although significantly more women than men are members of the Book Discussion Scheme (which lends books and discussion notes to self-directed book groups), increasingly more men are registering with us.
In the past few months, we've had men in Wanganui, Akaroa, Auckland and Christchurch set up their own book groups – at least one of which meets in a pub!
Andrew, of Auckland, says he found his book group's first book The Absolutist "absolutely riveting". They are now reading The Cellist of Sarajevo.
Groups that register with the Book Discussion Scheme (BDS) can borrow books and discussion notes; we are able to supply multiple copies of the same title so that members of a group can read the same book at the same time. This allows everyone to contribute to discussion of the book, and share their perspective.
"Book group engenders wonderful discussions, with opposing opinions swapped, modified and morphed," says a group from Manapouri. On the Kapiti coast, a women's group there describes membership as "a marvellous year of reading, talking and laughing together".
