A book club is a unique social gathering, where book lovers bond over their beverage and book of choice. Book clubs began in the early 17th century, possibly aboard a ship, when Anne Hutchinson organized a female discussion group about sermons.
The tradition has continued, and today it has become a part of mainstream culture. Many movies and books feature this as a trope, and for a bookworm like me, it is an interesting one.
I’ve been part of many book groups over the years, some bigger than others, and it has always been a great way to read a book. For one, it makes you read closely. You pay attention to each character, plot twist, backstory. And you learn so much, because you hear so many perspectives. You argue. You exchange views. You laugh. Sometimes, you shed a few tears. You bond, become better friends.
I’ve always been a reader, so the first time I was invited to a book group as an author for You Beneath Your Skin, it began as an unnerving experience. Soon, though, it became immersive and fascinating: readers asked me questions that took me in directions I’d never considered.
Since then, there have been many book club appearances, most of them online. And now, there’s a Book Club Page on the site, with book discussion questions. If you ever propose either You Beneath Your Skin or The Blue Bar to your book clubs, the questions can be a springboard to the discussion.
I’ve made so many friends via book clubs, and in the coming years, I hope to make many more.
What about you–are you part of a book club? Do book clubs add value to your reading experience? What’s your ideal book club like?
My lit crime novel, The Blue Bar is an AMAZON FIRST READ this December–download it for free if you’re an Amazon Prime Member. It is already available for preorders. Add it to Goodreads , enter the Goodreads Giveaway, or pre-order it to make my day.
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Not a fan. Not much of a joiner, it seems. But if it works for you, go for it. Some people thrive on that connection.
Thank you for sharing!!.. I were never in a position where I were able to attend a book club, due to present circumstances, today I visit websites like yours and gather knowledge… thank you for sending the emails about books and things…. 🙂
Hope your life’s path is paved with love and happiness and until we meet again..
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
(Irish Saying)
Thanks for stopping by, Larry! I’m so glad my gazettes are useful for you.
Thank you for sharing the gazette with me!!.. 🙂
Hope you and your family have a wonderful New Year filled with peace, love, happiness and life is all that you wish for it to be, your path is paved with love and happiness and until we meet again… 🙂
May the love that you give
Always return to you,
That family and friends are many
And always remain true,
May your mind only know peace
No suffering or strife,
May your heart only know love and happiness
On your journey through life.
(Larry “Dutch” Woller)
That would be almost intimidating–to be the author of the book club tome. How interesting!
Right? Scary stuff.
I have never participated in any bookclub. Perhaps 2023 is the year.
Yes, it definitely could be, Sue!
Hi Damyanti 🙂
I once “lead” a group associated with “Great Books” (I think there is some involvement from the U. of Chicago) … and I also manage several “reading”-related domains (e.g. reading-group.net & reading-groups.net )
🙂 Norbert
That’s amazing, Norbert. You must have such interesting experiences with running these!
Hi Damyanti 🙂
The Great Books reading group was awesome … but that was a long time ago (in college — it was mainly college students who were also interested in reading (and I guess reading “classics”). The Great Books organization was awesome — it was short enough so that it didn’t take up a lot of time, but long enough to be the basis for interesting discussions.
I think this is one unresolved shortcoming of wordpress: while publishing works fine, true communication (and / or community engagement) is rather sparse.
But don’t worry — I am planning to apply to speak at a WordCamp to address some of these issues!
🙂 Norbert
when in the university, I attended a few book clubs. I found the smaller ones to be, of course, more intimate 🙂 but also the ones where the best discussions were to be had and better friendships to be made. With memories of those book clubs, I put book club discussion questions at the end of both NOT SO INNOCENT books (my cyberpunk homage to Twain’s THE INNOCENTS ABROAD) with links to computer sites that illuminated the subjects brought up by the questions and might help spark interesting discussions. Best of sales on your new book.
Well said. Smaller book clubs always have the best discussions! I’ve added book club discussion links with similar intent as you–sparking interesting discussions!