Dawn Geddes discovers the magic of book clubs
What could be better than sharing your love of books with like-minded readers? Dawn Geddes gets lost in the literary magic of book clubs.
VISIT almost any community in the UK and you’ll find a book group at the heart of it. While some groups discuss the latest Hilary Mantel novel in libraries or book shops, others take place in more casual settings, debating the twists and turns of crime thrillers in the pub, or at each other’s houses over a glass of wine.
But wherever these meetings take place, you can bet they all share something – lively debate and a great passion for literature.
Thanks to celebrities such as Richard and Judy, Oprah Winfrey and, most recently, actress Reese Witherspoon, book clubs have never been trendier.
In fact, it’s estimated that in the UK alone, around 50,000 groups of literature lovers meet up regularly to talk about their latest reads.
But while celebrity clubs have highlighted the joy of sharing books with fellow readers, book groups are not a new invention.
Rather, the history of getting together to read and discuss the meaning of texts dates back centuries to when people would come together to read and discuss the Bible.
As a book fanatic myself, I can completely understand the joy of joining a group and transforming what is usually a very solitary pastime into something altogether more sociable.
When a new must-see film or TV series comes out, part of the enjoyment is sharing our thoughts and interpretations of it with other people.
But with books, this can prove tricky.
Even if we do pass along a book that we love to a friend or family member, the time it takes them to read it means we often miss out on sharing the joy of it, as well as the opportunity to debate the strength of the characters and the ins and out of the plot while it’s still fresh in our mind.
That’s when book groups really come into their own.
With everyone reading the same book at the same time, you have the opportunity to dissect the text and discuss your interpretation of it in a way that’s just not possible when you read alone.
Another great advantage is the variety that comes with being part of a book group.
While so many of us tend to stick to the same authors, being part of a club means that we’re not always in charge of our book choices, forcing us to expand our horizons, try out new genres and experience new literary landscapes.
That’s what happened to me when I joined a book club 15 years ago. After moving jobs and cities, I went along to my local
group as a way of meeting new people who shared my bookworm tendencies.
When I discovered that the group were making their way through every novel on the Booker Prize shortlist, I was quite sure that the choices would be far too literary for my tastes.
However, I was very happy to be proven wrong.
After reading titles I wouldn’t usually dream of picking up, I quickly found new favourites like “The Secret River” by Kate Grenville and “The Night Watch” by Sarah Waters, both of which brought history alive for me, transporting me to different times and distant landscapes.
But if literary fiction just isn’t your cup of tea, don’t worry! Nowadays, there really is a book group out there for everyone.
While some groups let every member take a turn to choose the title of next month’s read, others stick to specific genres like crime, science fiction or romance – or follow the book choices of bigger groups, such as the BBC Radio 4 Bookclub.
While meeting up in person is part of the fun of being part of a club, people who are housebound or live in an isolated area can also take part, thanks to the rise of online book communities.
Examples of such online communities are the Motherload Book Club, Facebook’s THE Book Club, and the subscription-based site Book Box Club, which charges a fee for the cost of that month’s book and the opportunity to join their thriving online community.
Whether you’d rather join a club in person or take part in a virtual group, there’s no doubt that being a book club member makes reading an altogether richer and more rewarding experience.
Whether you want to debate the accuracy of a wartime drama, dissect the downfall of a fictional romance, or discuss the development of characters in a fantasy setting, book clubs are the perfect place to make new friends and bond over a shared love of literature.
So, if you’re a book lover who loves company, why not find a local group to join, or even start your own?
Who knows, the next book club pick could turn out to be your new favourite.