Dear Henrietta,
I’ve recently joined a book club in hopes of expanding my mind. Unfortunately, the only parts of me expanding are my waistband and my knowledge of boxed wine.
We meet once a month and spend roughly four minutes discussing the book, and the rest debating charcuterie, streaming shows, and whether Brad from work is “technically single.”
How do I turn this back into a real book club without losing my only social life?
Signed,
Plot-Twisted
Dear Plot-Twisted,
You didn’t join a book club. You joined a support group for people who buy novels as coasters. Common mix-up.
With a few delicate maneuvers, you can either nudge this crew toward actual reading—or at least fake it so well you feel more literate than lactose-intolerant.
Henrietta’s Guide to Book Club Rehabilitation (or Strategic Surrender):
Step One: Diagnose the Species
Most clubs are:
1. Serious Scholars – say “motif,” bring printed questions, terrify everyone.
2. Social Swirl – skim the jacket copy, know each other’s dentists.
3. Hybrid Unicorn – read and enjoy snacks.
You’re firmly in Social Swirl. Turning them into Scholars overnight would be like asking my cats to file my taxes.
Step Two: Sneak in Structure
Insert book talk so gently no one notices. Wait until everyone is one glass in and toss out:
• “Rapid-fire: favorite character and why?”
• “Least favorite. Go.”
• “What scene would you cut?”
• “Who would you cast in the movie?”
• “Did anyone like the ending, or should we rewrite it?”
Step Three: Embrace Being The One Who Actually Reads
Every group needs the person who remembers Chapter 3. That’s you. Before each meeting, jot down three plot points, two names, one quote (half-remembering is fine). You’ll become the historian and feel smug.
And so, there you are! If the group doesn’t kick you out, then you managed actually make the book the center of attention, once again.
Love,
Henrietta
Henrietta Craven was born and raised in New Bern and enjoys gardening, hunting bears, and improvisational dance. She is a self-proclaimed expert on a wide variety of subjects including (but not limited to) fashion, mixology, and cooking. Henrietta resides in a lovely Victorian home in downtown New Bern with her five cats: Graffenreid, Bethune, Devereux, Stanton, and Carraway.