It’s the season of holiday gathers, which often means making a lot of small talk with colleagues, with family, and maybe even with people you don’t know at all but have a shared relationship with (think: your friend’s friends). But even beyond the time of gathering, there can be times when making small talk becomes crucial. So why not have a few go-to questions prepared to get conversation rolling or to engage someone you’re interested in knowing better around a topic that you’re passionate about? Enter a guide to 10 conversation starters about books and reading.

 

 

I’ve sat through hundreds of panels in my time as a YA lover/librarian/writer, and I’ve also moderated a fair number. Those experiences, coupled with a life lived in books and around other readers, has allowed me a lot of time to think about the kinds of questions that are interesting to ask other people. These questions can get personal and deep, but they’re meant to spark thinking and discussion beyond the weather or one’s career.

These 10 questions about books and reading are a starting point. I’d love to know of any others you’ve used in the comments, and I’d also love to hear about the results if you do try any of these. I’ve found that I have learned so much from people, even those I thought I knew well, by asking some of these questions. The last question here is one that, if you’ve seen me moderate a panel, always comes up because I think the answers are fascinating and insightful.

 

10 Conversation Starters About Books and Reading

1. What is the first book you remember reading when you were young and have you ever reread it? Why do you think that particular book sticks out in your memory?

 

2. If you were stranded on an island and had only the books in your bag with you to keep you company for an uncertain amount of time, what three to five books would they be? Why?

 

3. Have you ever been part of a book club? If so, what did you like or dislike about it? If you haven’t — or if you’d like to join another one — what would your dream book club look like? How frequently would it happen? What kinds of books would you read? Would it be run by a celebrity and if so, who?

 

4. If you could host a dinner party with any three authors from any time in history, who would they be and why? Alternately, which three living authors would you want at your dinner party?

 

5. What genre of book do you find most difficult to read? What genre do you gravitate toward?

 

6. Do you listen to audiobooks? Why or why not? If you do listen to them, what are your favorite kinds of books to listen to and do you have a preference on narrator? On listening speed? If you don’t listen to them, what might interest you in trying one?

 

7. What is your favorite memory related to a library? If you don’t have one, talk about why that might be. Alternately, what teacher introduced you to some of your favorite books or read a book to you that you remember?

 

8. If you could switch places with any author for a year, who would it be and why? (Assume you’d have all of their abilities, so you’d be doing the work they’re doing at their level!).

 

9. Imagine you’re put in charge of a publishing imprint and get to decide the kinds of books you’d edit and publish every year. Or, alternately, you’re able to purchase the books for one category at your library or favorite bookstore. What kinds of books would they be and why? Is there any person, writer or not, you’d want to publish a book or purchase a book from?

 

10. If you could go back in time and give your 12-year-old self any book, what would it be and why?