Why are book clubs on the rise?

The power of the book club has never been greater. Literary prize organisers are inviting them to shadow their shortlists and share feedback. Publishers are handing them manuscripts to help select which ones to publish. And many novels now come with ready-made book club questions at the back. The national charity, Reading Agency, has 4,500 UK book clubs on its register – and their latest survey found that

90% were mainly or entirely made up of women.

“Book clubs are wonderful on so many levels,” says CEO Sue Wilkinson. “Of course, there are intellectual benefits – it’s a way of gaining new insights, getting engaged and passionate and listening to other views. But there are also social benefits. They can help you make new friends, find your feet in a new area, or if you’ve just had a child or changed jobs, it’s a way to stay in touch with friends or former colleagues.

“For a lot of women, book groups are a special space where you step out of your life and talk about something different.”