The moderator asked us to stop debating the ending and I was so annoyed

At our last book club meeting at the library downtown, we spent 45 minutes arguing about whether the main character actually died or if it was a dream. Our moderator finally stood up and said "we are moving on to next month's book whether you like it or not." I was honestly frustrated because half the group hadn't even finished the book, so they didn't get a say. Has anyone else had a club leader shut down a really good debate too soon?

2 comments

2 Comments

jana_lewis164d ago

Oh man, that would bug me too. It's frustrating when the moderator shuts down a good discussion just because people didn't finish the book. I've been in clubs where that happens, and honestly it kills the whole point of meeting up. The whole point is to dig into the story and share theories, not just check a box on a schedule. If half the group hasn't read it they shouldn't get to decide when everyone else stops talking. Your moderator should have let the people who actually read it have their say for a bit longer.

wilson.jana4d ago

Actually, the moderator kind of has to cut things off sometimes. If half the group hasn't read the book, letting the other half keep talking just makes those people feel left out or judged. That's a quick way to lose members. The real problem here is that the group didn't pick a book people could actually finish. If a lot of people are falling behind, maybe the book was too long or too dense for that month's timeline. Fix the schedule or pick shorter books, don't blame the moderator for trying to keep things fair. The whole point is for everyone to participate, not just the overachievers.