Christmas has come early for the bank’s shareholders with the decision to slightly increase the 2024 dividend – despite a single-digit decline in the net profit and cash earnings.
Beating the market benchmark is never easy, with 72 per cent of Australian actively managed global equity general funds trailing the S&P World Index in the six months to June 30, 2024. Domestic equity funds performed slightly better, albeit against a significantly lower bar set by the S&P/ASX 200 Index.
Book clubs offer opportunity to share a passion for reading
For retirees for whom reading is a passion, then a book club is an excellent way to share that experience with others. Reading can be a lonely experience, but with a club, you can discuss the merits (and flaws) of a favourite book, gain other people’s insights and deepen your appreciation. Best of all a book club is neither difficult to start nor join.
Starting a book club:
The first essential step is to define its purpose. Are you looking to explore a specific genre, such as mystery or science fiction? Or perhaps you want to focus on contemporary Australian literature? Perhaps you want to read classic literature or the latest books to hit the shelves?
There are any number of directions you can take your book club so defining your goals will help attract like-minded members and keep the club focussed.
The next step is to invite friends, family or colleagues who share your interest in reading. You can also use social media platforms, local community boards or libraries to find potential members. It’s important not to grow the club too much – at least, at first. A good starting point would be for a group size of six to 12 people to ensure everyone has a chance to participate.
Deciding how often and where your book club will meet is important. Monthly meetings are common, but you can adjust the frequency based on members’ availability. Meetings can be held in person at someone’s home, a local café,or even virtually via video conferencing platforms.
Just be prepared to be flexible. Not everyone reads at the same speed and some people have more time to sit down to a book. Aim for a meeting format that gives every member a fair chance to finish the book before discussing it.
Choosing the first book can set the tone for your club. Consider selecting a book that is engaging and has plenty of discussion points. To get the ball rolling, it might be a good idea to start with a popular bestseller or a classic novel to attract interest. There will always be the opportunity to go deep with something more obscure or challenging later.
Setting some basic ground rules can help ensure that discussions remain respectful and productive. Agree on how books will be selected, how discussions will be moderated and any other guidelines that will help the group function smoothly.
It’s also important toprepare some discussion questions or topics in advance to guide the conversation. Encourage members to share their thoughts, but also be mindful of giving everyone a chance to speak. You can also incorporate activities such as themed snacks or related movie viewings to make meetings more enjoyable.
Joining a book club:
If the idea of organising a book club seems a little too onerous, why not simply find a book club to join. They’re more common than you might think.
Look for book clubs that align with your reading preferences. Libraries, bookstores and community centres often host book clubs. Online platforms such as Meetup or Facebook groups can also help you find local or virtual book clubs.
Before committing to a club, attend a meeting as a guest to see if it’s a good fit. Pay attention to the group’s dynamics, the types of books they read and how discussions are conducted. This will help you determine if the club meets your expectations.
Once you join a book club, try to read the selected books and participate in discussions. Sharing your insights and listening to others’ perspectives can enrich your reading experience and help you form connections with fellow members.
Book clubs are a space for diverse opinions and interpretations. Be open to differing viewpoints and engage in respectful debates. This will create a welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts. In other words, feel free to disagree but always remember that someone isn’t wrong if they don’t share your perspective.
If you’re enthusiastic about the book club, consider taking on a role such as organising meetings, leading discussions or managing the club’s social media presence. This can enhance your involvement and contribute to the club’s success.
Whether you start one yourself, or find one that matches your literary passions, a book club is a wonderful way to celebrate the joy of reading and connect with others who share your passion. Enjoy the new insights you’ll get into your favourite books.
