Some key steps to start a book club and get the discussion going:

• Word of mouth, online listserves, libraries and bookstores can help you find people for a club.• Diversity helps provide different viewpoints.• Decide how many people you want. Some suggest a maximum of 15 to 20 people so everyone has a chance to participate.

• Decide where to meet — in members' homes, local libraries, bookstores, cafes or online.• Decide how often to meet.

• Many clubs vote on selections, either in person or online.• In some clubs, the leader decides.• Others allow the person hosting the meeting to pick the book.

• Decide who will lead.• Use a question to get the conversation going.• Many publishers include an author interview or book club questions at the back of books. Similar information also can be found on publishers' Web sites.• Be open to differences of opinion. Not everyone is going to love every book.