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At our last book group meeting in December one of the women objected to the book chosen book to be read for January. The person who hosts the next monthly meeting chooses the book in anticipation of everyone politely going along with her choice. One of the more vocal participants made it clear that she simply was not going to read the book because it wasn’t a good choice. A near cat fight ensued. Surprisingly, one of the quieter participators found her voice and vented her advice, “My mother always said, ‘the least said soonest mended.'” Mouths dropped in awe of sage wisdom. In the future, how would you handle a dissenter?

–KE, Brooklyn, NY

An angry argument is rarely civilized, especially during a book group meeting. The protester should have suggested a second choice.

By saying, “Since I don’t believe all of us will want to spend our time reading the book choice for January, I would like to propose that we have the option of reading one of two books. I’ll be reading Tana French’s current best-seller, THE TRESPASSER. Should anyone feel the way I do, we can always discuss two books at the next meeting or in private.”

Don’t take a vote.

Let everyone read whichever book they choose.

Enough said, “The least said soonest mended.”

~Didi