1.  Food!!  Wine!    Most book clubs have great food and wine.  My friend, writer and humorist Lorna Landvik, says she judges all book clubs by the quality of the food they serve.  There’s something special about the combination of books, food, and wine.  It’s always great to gather with friends, but when the underlying purpose is to discuss books—it’s even better.

2.  Flattery!!    Unlike a bookstore or book festival where few people have read my books, in a book club people (most of them anyway) have read the book.  That makes me feel great.  It’s very flattering when I sit with a book club and I see 20 people holding a copy of my book—and some even say they liked it!!

3.  Good talk!!    There is a focus to the discussion because everyone’s read the book.  Book club people are critical readers and they consume a lot of books.  For me, the discussions are particularly good and lively.  The questions are tough—which I like.  I get a chance to talk in depth about plot, characters, and the writing process.  I always learn something that imporves my writing.

4.  Minnesota Nice!!    Here in Minnesota, we’re all nice to each other.  At least face-to-face.  Critics and reviewers can be cruel.  But we Minnesotans have a difficult time saying anything critical or mean to one another.  In a book club I hear almost only compliments.  If people don’t like something, they usually remain silent.

5.  Book sales!!    Once a book club picks one of my books to read, the members buy it.  And after a talk, many of the club members buy more copies of other books.

6.  Wonderful people!!     I’ve never been to a bad book club.  The members are friends and are friendly to me.  Since I’ve been invited to talk, they want me there.  I’ve always been treated like royalty.  Who could ask for more?

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