My book club is about to implode over a single, unwritten rule.
By @umasorta · Friends
We can't agree on whether people should be allowed to come to the meeting if they haven't finished the book. It's splitting the group between the purists who want a serious literary discussion and the members who are just there for the community (and wine).
The full story
I'm in a monthly book club with about ten people, and it used to be the most relaxing part of my month. Not anymore. For the past two meetings, the tension has been so thick. The problem is what to do when someone doesn't finish the book. Half the group (the 'purists') believes if you didn't finish, you don't come. They argue that it's impossible to have a deep, spoiler-filled discussion if someone is trying to avoid hearing the ending. They say it lowers the quality of the whole conversation. The other half (the 'socials') thinks that's way too strict and exclusionary. They argue that life gets busy, and people should still be able to come for the friendship and social aspect, even if they just listen quietly during the book part. They feel like banning people would kill the fun, community vibe we have. Now people are having little side-chats about it and it's all getting very cliquey. Someone mentioned drafting an official 'charter' with rules, which seems so needlessly formal. Our next meeting is in two weeks and nobody's saying anything in the group chat. I just know it's going to come to a head and I'm dreading it.
How people voted
- Facts — 34% (24 votes)
- Depends — 32% (23 votes)
- No Way — 34% (24 votes)
Readers are split: “Facts” leads with 34% — 71 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@yarasorta — Read the book.
@maeish — Sounds like there's a goal misalignment issue and half the group is quiet quitting your book club.
@tessish — lol
@plottwistlol — My fantasy football league had a meltdown like this over a punishment for last place. It's never about the actual 'rule', it's about something else.
@kara — Oh that's so stressful. It's supposed to be fun! I'm sorry people are making it so serious.
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