• It must contain one of our monthly pre-approved themes.

• Its purpose must impact individuals, society, and the world.

• It must not have over 399 pages.

• It must not cost over $30

Any book the club members choose must be available in local bookstores and libraries. It must come in hardcover, Kindle, or audio versions and must not cost more than $30.

Anyone who is selected alphabetically by the program facilitator. And this is how the process works: First, we choose the pre-approved theme for the current month. Second, the person whose turn is to propose the book will choose three-book titles based on the selected theme. Third, the Club members will vote to approve the title.

If we agree to meet monthly, we will start selecting the next book between the first and second weeks. In other words, approximately two weeks to the end of the month, the three titles would have been selected, submitted to the members, voted upon, and the chosen book announced to all members.

The program facilitator will choose the book title selector based on the alphabetical- ascending order of the name from among the fully registered and active book club members.

Rules

Rule 1: Make an agenda for every meeting.

Rule 2: Read the monthly assigned book.

Rule 3: Discuss the book and only the book, and no deviation. Support what you say with a fact from the book. Remember, at the Modern Book Club, we talk to one another. We don’t just answer questions.

Rule 4: Arrive on time for the book discussion. If you arrived late or didn’t read the book, it’s okay. Sit down quietly and listen.

Rule 5: Be courteous to other members. Hear and understand what they have to say.

Rule 6: Take turns to speak and share thoughts. Don’t steamroll or become a conversation hog—everyone’s opinion matters.

The presiding chairperson can graciously intervene and ensure multiple people do not speak simultaneously and the rules are strictly observed.

Rule 7: Don’t force anyone to contribute, speak up, or participate in discussions.

Rule 8: Do not use the Modern Book Club website, seminars, conferences, website, social media, email, or phone calls to promote or pursue personal business or activities. Exceptions include literary works such as books, articles, or arts that members write or create.

Ethics

1. We protect the privacy and confidentiality of members’ information. We will expel or cancel the membership of anyone who is found using the Modern Book Club to contact other members without asking for their permission first.

2. We do not send emails or text messages or make phone calls to nonactive members. Active members read assigned books monthly or take part in collecting and distributing books.

3. We will not use members' information outside Modern Book Club, disclose any member’s information to any third party, and grant access to the members’ information database.

A theme is an idea that recurs in or pervades a work of art or literature. Love and conflict are the pivoted themes in Romeo and Juliet. Example of themes to choose: Click here to view the book theme template

A theme is an idea that recurs in or pervades a work of art or literature. The greed for absolute power is the pivoted theme in Shakespeare's Macbeth.

We generally celebrate after the following achievements:

• Finishing a book

• Donating books

• Collecting Books

• Distributing Books

• Feeling like having fun

A plot is a series of events in a story that drives the action forward. It can be a challenge or conflict that the character creates or tries to overcome. A good story has a strong plot that turns the character upside down, and a change must occur within your character to revert the course of the story outcome. If the character fails to revert course, the plot becomes weak. Everybody, for instance, wants to read about a peasant that becomes a king or queen by overcoming insurmountable adversities-from rags to riches.

Action/Adventure

Books that have been made into movies

Business & trade

Business & trade

Fantasy

General Fiction

Historical Fiction

Horror

Mystery/Thriller

Nonfiction

Mythology/Folk Lore

Poetry

Romance

Science Fiction

Westerns

Young Adult Fiction

Classic

Crime and Detective