When you're planning a book club party, you want to think about ways to enliven the conversation. If the book is a dud that leaves you little to discuss or debate, you can really save the evening if you plan ahead.
Look online for discussion guides, and search for reviews of the book. When the conversation lulls, ask a question from the discussion guide or read aloud a review and ask if people agree or disagree.
Another way to bring the book to life is to ask the group which actors they envision in the main characters' roles. This sparks new topics and lets you see if your assessment of the characters matches the rest of the group's.