I think the best approach for the garden layout would be to start with the sun exposure mapping we talked about. The south-facing side of your yard gets the most light so that is where the tomatoes and peppers should go. For the raised beds I would recommend going with 4x8 foot dimensions because they are easy to reach across and you can fit two rows of most vegetables. The pathway between beds should be at least 18 inches wide to accommodate a wheelbarrow. I have found that placing taller crops like corn and sunflowers on the north side prevents them from shading the shorter plants. You will also want to consider water access and running a hose to the center of the garden makes watering much easier. The compost bin should be close but not too close to avoid any pest issues. If you decide to add a small seating area the northeast corner near the existing tree would give you afternoon shade during the hotter months. Soil preparation matters a lot so I would recommend getting a soil test done before you start planting anything.

One more thing about the layout and you might want to plan for some vertical elements like trellises for the cucumbers and pole beans. That will save ground space and give you better airflow around the plants. I have used cattle panels arched over the beds and they work really well for that purpose. Just make sure you anchor them securely because a strong wind can knock them over. The herbs should go closest to the kitchen door if possible because you will be harvesting them frequently and having them nearby makes a big difference in how often you actually use them when cooking.

For the book club structure I have found that having a rotating host works really well and keeps things balanced. Each month someone different picks the book and leads the discussion. You will want to set some ground rules early though like how many pages per week and whether audiobooks count. I usually send out a discussion guide a few days before the meeting with maybe 5 or 6 questions to get people thinking. The meetings themselves work best when you keep them to about 90 minutes with the first 15 minutes just for catching up and then the rest for the book discussion. Snacks are important too but we keep it simple with each person bringing something. The key is making sure everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts without feeling pressured.

We have been running our group for about two years now and the rotating system has been the main reason it has lasted this long. Another thing that helped was setting up a group chat where people can share articles or related content between meetings. It keeps the conversation going without making it feel like homework. For your group I would suggest starting with shorter books for the first few months until people get a sense of each others tastes and reading speeds. Non-fiction tends to generate more discussion but fiction is easier for people who have busy schedules. You might also consider alternating between the two every other meeting to keep things varied and interesting for everyone involved.