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Home » National Reading Group Month

National Reading Group Month

Since 2007, Women’s National Book Association’s initiative, National Reading Group Month, has promoted the value of book discussion groups, organized chapter author events in October, and created the annual Great Group Reads list of 20 top books for discussion groups.

National Reading Group Month Purpose

NRGM augments the WNBA’s mission to promote the value of books and reading. Through this initiative the organization aims to foster the values reading groups encourage: camaraderie, enjoyment of shared reading, and appreciation of literature and reading as conduits for transmitting culture and advancing civic engagement.

The goals of National Reading Group Month (NRGM) are:

  • increase public awareness of the joy and value of shared reading
  • provide a time for reading groups to celebrate their accomplishments and plan for the future
  • provide opportunities for individuals to join an existing reading group or start a new one
  • encourage libraries, bookstores, and organizations to host special reading group events

NGRM History

The WNBA launched National Reading Group Month in October 2007 as the premier event of its 90th anniversary.

National Reading Group Month is the innovation of sisters Martha Burns and Alice Dillon, Women’s National Book Association (WNBA) members and the authors of Reading Group Journal: Notes in the Margin (Abbeville Press).

In its inaugural year, the official signature event was held at The New York Center for Independent Publishing organized by the WNBA-New York City chapter. Eager readers met authors, swapped tips, shared reading suggestions, and left with armloads of new reads. Chapter cities held events that featured bestselling authors and book club “favs” Hillary Carlip, Laura Dave, Beth Gutcheon, Jennifer Haigh, Wally Lamb, Jamie Saul, Matthew Sharpe, Beverly Swerling, and Adriana Trigiani.

For over 13 years, WNBA continued the tradition of annual events in the month of October produced by each of its chapters. A portion of the proceeds from selected NRGM events is donated to the US Fund for UNICEF.

In 2009, the National Reading Group Month launched its Great Group Reads initiative.

What is Great Group Reads?

Great Group Reads provides an annual list of 20 top titles selected for book discussion groups. The list was initially created to support National Reading Group Month. While still an important part of NRGM, Great Group Reads has become a well-regarded resource throughout the literary community. Each year hundreds of books are submitted by publishers to be considered for the list. The list is then distributed to book clubs independent bookstores, libraries, and educators throughout the country.

Throughout the year, the Bookwoman Book Club reads books from the lists and talks about them at a monthly discussion. When possible, we host events with GGR authors to learn more about them and their books.

If you’d like to learn more about Great Group Reads, we have GGR information for general readers, interested publishers, and members who’d like to join the GGR committee. You can also see all of the annual lists!

Contact the Great Group Reads Committee

Kristen Knox, Great Group Reads Chair: ggr [at] wnba-books.org

Susan Walker, NRGM Event Coordinator: nrgm-events [at] wnba-books.org

Pamela Milam, Great Group Reads Coordinator: ggr-coordinator [at] wnba-books.org

Linda Rosen, Great Group Reads Coordinator: ggr-coordinator2 [at] wnba-books.org

 

Logo that says Great Group Reads in large font on right with National Reading Group Month and a stack of orange books on left and Women's National Book Association written at bottom

Learn more about GGR!

Showcase Your Book

Women in the Literary Landscape

Women in the Literary Landscape

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Karmafornia, by NC Weil

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Just Show Up, by Dottie Joslyn

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Dads for Daughters, by Michelle Travis

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A New Orleans Author in Mark Twains Court, by Miki Pfeffer

Betrayal on the Bayou, by Sheryl J. Bize-Boutte

Betrayal on the Bayou, by Sheryl J. Bize-Boutte

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Two Murders Too Many, by Bluette Matthey

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Listen to your Bread, by Ann Haut

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Knight Light, by Claudia Riess

The Lockhart Women, by Mary Camarillo

The Lockhart Women, by Mary Camarillo

Genomics: A Revolution in Health and Disease Discovery, by Whitney Stewart and Hans C. Andersson, M.D.

Genomics: A Revolution in Health and Disease Discovery, by Whitney Stewart and Hans C. Andersson, M.D.

Sisters of the Vine, by Linda Rosen

Sisters of the Vine, by Linda Rosen

Nowhere Near Goodbye, by Barbara Conrey

Nowhere Near Goodbye, by Barbara Conrey

Taking Aim at the President, by Geri Spieler

Taking Aim at the President, by Geri Spieler

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Serendipity or Passion, by Stephanie Blackwell

Night Songs; Poems, by Barbara Rose Brooker

Night Songs; Poems, by Barbara Rose Brooker

The Sauna is Full of Maids, by Cheryl J. Fish

The Sauna is Full of Maids, by Cheryl J. Fish

Permeable Boundaries, by MaryEllen Beveridge

Permeable Boundaries, by MaryEllen Beveridge

These Americans, by Jyotsna Sreenivasan

These Americans, by Jyotsna Sreenivasan

Run, Walk, Crawl - A Caregiver Caught Between Generations, by Sarahbeth Persiani

Run, Walk, Crawl - A Caregiver Caught Between Generations, by Sarahbeth Persiani

Despite the Buzz, by Tamara Miller Davis

Despite the Buzz, by Tamara Miller Davis

Circumference of Silence, by Jacquie Herz

Circumference of Silence, by Jacquie Herz

No Names to be Given, by Julia Brewer Daily

No Names to be Given, by Julia Brewer Daily

Ready Room, by Laura Flecha

Ready Room, by Laura Flecha

Journeys with Fortune, by Elizabeth Bodien

Journeys with Fortune, by Elizabeth Bodien

The Italian Prisoner, by Elisa M. Speranza

The Italian Prisoner, by Elisa M. Speranza

Song of Redemption, by Malika J. Stevely

Song of Redemption, by Malika J. Stevely

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