Now that your kids have grown up and you are nearing retirement, you have more time on your hands to connect with your friends. In the past, you may have been too busy to start that reading group that you have always dreamed of hosting, but now you know that you can commit to a weekly date with your friends. As you get ready to send out the invites, you can use these tips to make sure that the first book discussion is a hit.

Choose a Relevant Topic

The best books for a reading group are those that hit close to home and encourage everyone to delve deep into their hearts as they analyze the text. Once you know who is in your group, try to pick a book that is relevant to everyone. For instance, a guide book for mindful aging is ideal for a reading group that consists of older adults, and it can still be appropriate for younger members who may be caring for a senior loved one. 

Encourage Everyone to Journal Through the Week

A non-fiction text, such as a baby boomer guide to aging book, is meant to be applied to a person's life as they work toward self-improvement. Help the members of your group remember those special "aha!" moments by asking them to keep a journal. In addition to encouraging them to freely jot down insights as they come, you can also supply everyone with book discussion questions to help them start thinking in the right direction.

Establish an Open Atmosphere

Books that touch upon personal topics such as aging are bound to generate some deep conversations. Make sure that everyone feels comfortable opening up by setting boundaries during your first meeting. While you don't want to bog everyone down with a bunch of rules, it does help to remind the members that everyone is there to bond and expand their minds. If you notice gossip or overly critical comments, be prepared to stop them immediately. You can often get people to switch gears by posing another question that shifts the topic of conversation.

Aging gracefully means learning how to establish meaningful relationships, and a book club can put you in close contact with other older adults who all share the same interests. As a final note, be sure to read the book first so that you are always a step ahead when leading discussions.