How to start an audio book discussion group

Many people are interested in starting a local audio book discussion group, usually modeled on the traditional book discussion groups. Some audio discussion groups listen to practically any topic, while others focus on a specific genre such as classics, science fiction, mystery or self-help. We have written this publication to help you get started, please feel free to distribute it.

Here are some tips to get you started:

  • Get the word out- advertise in your local newspaper, and on the bulletin board at the library, bookstores and local cafes.
  • Try to find a diverse group of people. If everyone has similar attitudes and viewpoints, your discussions will be limited.
  • Hold your first meeting to discuss the rules or standards your club will follow.
  • Ask all your prospective members to come with two audioaudio book suggestions.

Develop a questionnaire or simply ask people:

  • How should we select the audio book to read?
  • Why do you want to join a audio book club and what do you expect to get out of it?
  • What are your cost limits for each audio book?
  • When should we meet? What about summer holidays and Christmas?
  • What are the responsibilities of each member? Should you have to finish the audio book before you come to the meeting?
  • Where should we meet- at a member's house or a local bookstore?
  • Who will lead the audio book discussions? The person who recommended the audio book? Or do we want to designate a permanent leader?

Here are some typical discussion questions:

  • Did you like the audio book? If you have heard any of the author's other audio books, how does this compare?
  • What was the main message? What ideas did you find most useful?
  • For fiction audio book: How did you feel about the characters? Whom did you like or not like and why? What did you think of the plot line development? How credible did the author make it? What moral/ethical choices did the characters make? What did you think of those choices? How would you have chosen?
  • Why do you think the author wrote this? What is her most important message?
  • What is the author's background (her style, stature and focus)?

Resources:

Click here to download a bookmark template that we recently designed. You can use this to easily design your own paper bookmarks to promote your group, etc. (click here)

Here is a link to several of the main audio book companies (click here)

Back to the audio book News Service (click here)