Sally Jenkins Talks About Book Groups

Something slightly different this week as Sally Jenkins author of Because You’re Worth It, published by Choc Lit an imprint of Joffe Books on 9 June 2026, talks about book groups …

Book Groups – Maintaining the Discussion!

Book Groups are great. They add an extra dimension to the literary experience. Reading a book that will be discussed demands closer attention, it means not giving up if the story doesn’t hit the spot and it requires forming a thoughtful opinion. It might also demand stepping away from the comfort of a favourite genre to try something new.

Within the group there will be someone who loved the book, someone who hated it and a spectrum of enthusiasms in between. Stories, books and reading are subjective: it’s impossible to give a universal definition of ‘a good book’. How the judges of literary prizes agree on a winner is a mystery!

I led a library-based book group for more than a decade and learnt that book group members are as diverse as the books they read and the chat can easily drift from the literature to real life, as new friendships are built. However, a successful group keeps this essential sociability for the end of the meeting so that it doesn’t interfere with the core discussion. Sticking to the purpose of the group in this way, means the members will stick to the group. Our turnover of members was tiny and we were always at our maximum capacity of twelve. That same group continues today and 90% of the current members were there at our inception.

Here are my top tips for keeping book group members focused and together:

Nominate a chairperson to run each meeting. This can be the same person every time or members can take turns.
In the first part of the meeting give everyone a chance to air their opinion. If necessary, the chairperson should have a timer to stop anyone ‘hogging the limelight’.
For the second part of the meeting the chair should have some ‘discussion starters’ to hand. These might be found online or can be created by the chair around the themes covered by the book. Alternatively many books now include questions for book groups to use in their conversations.
Quieter members should be encouraged into the conversation to facilitate the airing of a wider range of opinions.
Draw the meeting to a close on time and with a reminder about the date of the next meeting and the title of the next book. If necessary, nominate a chairperson for the next meeting. Then open the floor to social chatter!
For the benefit of any absentees, the chairperson should follow-up the meeting with an email containing a brief summary of how the meeting/book went, plus all the details for the next session.
Above all: Enjoy the session and keep the conversation on topic!

As an enthusiastic advocate of book groups and as an author, I was delighted when my publisher agreed to the inclusion of book group discussion questions at the back of my two most recent novels, both featuring protagonists around the age of 60 who are experiencing major life changes.

About Sally Jenkins

Sally Jenkins loves writing about mature characters with a lifetime of emotional baggage; characters who are searching for, and who richly deserve, a happy-ever-after.

Words and stories are Sally’s lifeblood. She ran a book group for eleven years, is a Shared Reading group leader for the charity, The Reader, and has worked as a library assistant.

Outside of her bookish world, she is a Women’s Institute member and a church bell ringer. She also enjoys yoga, walking and swimming.

Find out more about Sally and follow her at: https://linktr.ee/SallySJenkins7

Because You’re Worth It includes themes such as the changing position of working women down the years, difficult mother/daughter relationships and whether politicians require a ruthless personality trait.

Out of Control touches on gambling addiction, loneliness in old age and the need to be in control of everything in life.

About Because You’re Worth It

At sixty-four, Michelle thought her best years were behind her. She couldn’t have been more wrong . . .

When Michelle’s beloved husband Eddie dies, she thinks the best part of her life has gone. Then her mother passes away and leaves her half a million pounds — money Michelle is certain she doesn’t deserve. Determined to give every penny to charity, Michelle sets out to find the worthiest cause. And she’s not doing it alone.

There’s Doug — her landlord, her brother’s oldest friend, and the rugby-playing heartthrob of her teenage dreams. He’s kind. He’s funny, and he still makes her stomach flip like she’s sixteen again. There’s just one problem, Doug has broken more hearts than Michelle has had hot dinners, and she’s not about to become another name on his list.

Then she meets dashing charity trustee, Luke, and is swept into a world of scarlet ball gowns and champagne. For the first time in years, Michelle feels beautiful. Desired. Worth it.

But a forgotten suitcase, hidden away in storage, holds a secret about her inheritance. As Michelle digs deeper into the truth, she faces some big decisions — about the money, her future and who her heart truly belongs to.

A swoon-worthy, heart-melting, second-chance romance packed with warmth, humour, and the unmistakable flutter of a love that was always meant to be. Perfect for fans of Caroline James, Sarah Morgan, Milly Johnson, Maddie Please and Judy Leigh.

Buying link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0H37JC2DH/

This is the blog for Morton S. Gray, a writer of romance with a mystery to solve The Secrets of Borteen Bay Series set in the fictional seaside town of Borteen for Choc Lit Publishing an imprint of Joffe Books.