I just finished leading a 9-week, in-person reading group covering the Iliad. It was such a good experience. I’ve also participated in a number of groups over the years and wanted to use this podcast episode to share what I’ve learned and to hopefully encourage you to start your own reading group.

Myths:

* You don’t need to have all of the answers.

* You don’t need to have an advanced degree.

How to Prepare:

* As you read the book you will cover, use different color pens/highlighters each time you read it. This will help you identify observations you had and will be helpful when you are leading the group.

* Find podcast episodes that cover the book.

* Find book guides that contain questions for the book.

Facilitating the Reading Group:

* Set expectations - expected time commitment, number of meetings, etc.

* Limit the group to between 5 - 15 people.

* Require an assignment:

* A paragraph or an essay due a day before the meeting.

* Use a shared Google folder so everyone can read the work of each other.

* This has the added benefit of encouraging completion of the reading a day before the meeting. It also prepares the attendees to have a thought-out idea to address during the meeting.

* Translation - attempt to use the same translation if it’s a work in another language. This will help everyone easily be able to locate the passage under discussion.

Rules:

* Use the first meeting to get to know each other. Don’t cover the book at all.

* Discourage the reading of the book’s introduction. Just have them start right in with the book.

* No outside influences - attempt to just discuss the book, not other books.

Your Role as Facilitator:

* You are not the teacher. The book is the teacher.

* Ask questions that facilitate the discussion.

* Keep the discussion on track.

* Don’t give away spoilers to those who haven’t read the story. Keep the magic alive.

Tools Specific to The Iliad

* The History of Literature Podcast: Homer and His Iliad (with Robin Lane Fox)

* Ascend the Great Books Podcast (incredible resource with a podcast episode per book of the Iliad)

* Iliad Reading Guide (probably the single most helpful resource outside of the actual epic)

* Young Heretics Podcast