Pro tip: Let one person pick the book each month, trust me...
I was in a book club where we voted on every book... and it was a mess. We spent more time arguing than reading. Last month, we let Sarah choose, and we read this weird sci-fi novel. At first, I hated it... but our chat was the best we ever had. Everyone had strong views, and we really dug into the themes. Now I think letting one person lead makes for better chats. Rotate who picks, and you avoid the same old bestsellers. Give it a try... you might be surprised.
Weird choices are the best" is true, but you gotta pick your moment. Try the weird idea with a small group first, like your friend did with the poetry. That way you see if it starts a good talk or just gets confusing stares.