Whenever I speak to a book club, I’m struck by how much fun the participants have. I’ve never attended one where people were in a bad mood, fought with each other, or acted resentful, as if someone had forced them to show up. While I’m sure feuds do occur, insults are traded, or participants display other bad behaviors, the readers I’ve met want to be there. It’s often a monthly highlight for them.
For those of you who aren’t yet in a book club, or haven’t participated in one for a while, I hope you’ll join such a group. Below, I’ve compiled numerous reasons why, based on observations I’ve made over the years during my visits. If you’re already involved in a book club, I hope you’ll reply to me with any reasons I’ve neglected to mention.
1. Develop new friendships and strengthen current ones: Notice that my top reason has nothing to do with books or reading. I think the number one reason to participate in a book club is because of the connections with others you’ll make and build on. These friendships can literally change your life.
2. Sharpen reading comprehension and analytical skills: People in book clubs are the most insightful readers around. I’ve learned much more regarding the writing craft by listening to their comments about characters, story, and prose than I have from the shelf-load of books on writing I’ve purchased over the years and thousands of additional dollars I’ve spent on classes. Book club readers develop this skill because they discuss (and often debate) the relative merits of a lot of books. They must remember what they’ve read and form opinions about the various elements comprising these books to make their case for why they liked—or didn’t like—the characters, story, and prose. They learn to analyze what they’ve read, consider others’ opinions, and, as a result, develop nuanced viewpoints. These skills can transfer to every other part of their lives, making book club readers some of the most well-rounded and reasonable people I know. Whenever I meet individuals who are terrific partners, parents, workers, leaders, and so on, I’m never surprised if they mention they’re in a book club.
3. Broaden horizons and develop new tastes: Reading books in fiction genres and nonfiction subject matter one wouldn’t normally delve into helps book club participants expand their minds. I’ve often heard them comment that they were surprised to have loved a given book because it wasn’t something they would’ve considered reading for pleasure or even known about if not for their book club. And they often embark on additional reading in that area, totally on their own, that further broadens their horizons.
4. Discover new foods and beverages as well as books: Most book club meetings begin with a buffet of delicious foods and, in many cases, a variety of wine, beer, and/or other potables, alcoholic or otherwise. I once talked to a group whose members described themselves as “a drinking club with a book problem.” If you like to sample decadent food and fall in love with new brands of various libations—and wow your friends with your own recipes—you’ll have a chance to do so at most book club meetings.
5. Meet the creators of books you enjoy: I put this one last on the list because this is the least-often thing experienced by many book club participants. That’s a shame, because it’s such a pleasure as an author to meet my readers and hear their opinions first-hand. When I visit a book club for the first time, participants often tell me that I’m only the first or second author they’ve ever invited for a talk. Hearing the stories behind my stories and the tale of my writing journey often deepens readers’ appreciation not only of my books but the creative process overall. I hope they reach out to others after me to do a talk in person or online. Authors love the opportunity to speak about their work, so book club should never hesitate to extend an invitation. It’s a great way to support local artists and virtually meet famous writers, too.
If you’re in a book club, I hope you’ll reply with other benefits I’ve overlooked. If you’re not yet in a book club, I hope you’ll seek one out in your neighborhood, via a meetup group, or online and discover a whole new world of ideas, entertainment, and friendships.
Patrick Scullin
February 7, 2020 at 12:02 am (4 years ago)A compelling case, George. I was in a book club 15 years ago and loved it. The club dissolved. I need to find another one. They are fun and enriching. Thanks for writing this insightful post.
Mary Stripling
March 29, 2020 at 5:58 pm (4 years ago)George, this is so appropriate to our times, both before, during, and after (there WILL be an after) the Corona quarantine. You are right on with your reasons. Prometheus Unbound is a very small book club organized in the 1980s. We fit all the reasons you described. Also we, less than twentyladies, are very close. During sickness, bereavement, or any serious life circumstance including the happy times such as weddings and grand babies – we are there for each other. It would be wonderful it you could speak at a meeting. Our agenda is complete for this year but we will have a planning meeting in August and final decisions in September. We meet Sept – May, skipping November and reading a light Christmas book for December because we have our party.
Today, I’m looking at The North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal,, issue Jan-Feb-Mar 2019. It’s topic is women’s clubs including book clubs, one of which started in 1898. They were still around to celebrate their 50 anniversary. They were very formal (similar to our “old” AWC. Also, they kept records and fined each other for “unreturned book” 10 cents, and “tardy for meeting” 25 cents! Oh, dear, I would have to have filed bankruptcy! – WRITE ON!