Sep 07

5 Reasons to Join a Book Discussion Group

By Ann Kingman Book Group Resources Add comments

This is part I of a continuing series about Book Discussion Groups. Future posts will look at ways to find a book group, how to make your book group successful, reading group resources, and loads of book recommendations for use in your book group, along with anything else we can come up with.

book club 1750455468_e811af4dd9_m I’m hopelessly addicted to reading groups. I can’t explain the addiction, since most of my days are spent talking about books with booksellers and my publishing colleagues. But I am a serial book club joiner, and am usually the last one standing (sitting?) as the group falls apart.

One of the most enjoyable parts of my job is speaking with members of book groups at local bookstores. These evenings usually provide an opportunity to mingle and chat with readers, and almost always I hear a great story about the importance of a book group to particular person. With those stories in mind, I’ve come up with a list of reasons to consider joining or starting a reading group. I’m sure I am missing many reasons — please leave your ideas in the comments.

5 Reasons to Join a Book Discussion Group

1. Meet people just like you

If I were ever to move to a new town, I would immediately search out one or two local book groups. There is something comforting and familiar in a group of readers. Though personalities, backgrounds and culture may differ, I have always been able to find common ground with book lovers, no matter the circumstance. I often speak to people who don’t know anyone else who reads for pleasure — their families think they are crazy for buying more books than they can ever hope to read, and their friends can’t imagine why they would rather stay home with a good book than go out to a movie or bar. A reading group provides a place where you don’t have to explain. Your behavior is not odd, it’s expected.

2. Meet people that are different from you

So often we find ourselves surrounded by people that look like us, talk like us, act like us. Most of our friends are roughly the same age, have the same level of income, and have similar beliefs and values. Book groups are a terrific way of expanding your circle to include people of varied backgrounds and life experience. The act of discussing a book often sparks debate, and entices people to open up about their own views and life stories. I’ve learned so much about the world from people I’ve met in a book group, and so many times they were people I would not have met otherwise.

3. Get back to reading

It’s a very common scenario, one that I hear all the time: “I used to love to read, but I never got back to it after ___________ (having kids, going to school, starting a new job, … fill in the blank with your own situation). For whatever reason, reading for pleasure is one of the most frequently sacrificed activities when there are not enough hours in the day. Joining a reading group gives you a reason to sit down with that book. There is a specific deadline for finishing, and so finding the time to read becomes more of a priority. While there are certainly times when life interferes and you may not finish the book before your meeting, motivation comes from knowing that others are counting on your participation.

4. Stretch your reading muscles

I enjoy reading books for their entertainment value, and find nothing more satisfying than spending a rainy day curled up with a page-turner. But sometimes, I want something more challenging. When I read for book club, I know that I will be expected to contribute, and so I tend to read more carefully and more thoughtfully. I read my book group books with a pad of sticky notes next to me, marking pages and passages that illustrate a thought or idea. I find that the discussion around a book always gives me something to think about — a character trait that I hadn’t noticed, or a subtext that flew right over my head as I was reading. My favorite book discussions are those where I start out hating the book, and then after listening to everyone else’s comments, come out of the meeting with new appreciation for and understanding of the work.

5. Discover new genres and authors

It’s so easy to fall into the habit of reading the same authors or the same genres. After all, there is always an element of risk in a new book. What if you hate it? By sticking to the familiar, much of that risk is alleviated. But so is the joy of discovery. Reading groups force you to explore new reading paths. There was once a woman in one of my book groups who announced at the first meeting that she didn’t like reading about other countries or cultures because they were so unfamiliar to her. She struggled with pronunciation, and keeping characters’ names straight. But since our books were chosen by vote, we often read books set in other places. I was stunned and delighted at one meeting where the woman announced that she really liked Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, which is a novel set in Colombia in the early 1900s. It was a book that she would have never picked up on her own, but because of reading group, she found a new appreciation for books set in foreign lands. I myself have loved books that I thought I would never enjoy, and I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything.


Do you belong to a book group? If so, what prompted you to join? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic in the comments. Please pass this on to anyone you know who might enjoy it — and check back for Part II of the series, coming soon.

(photo credit: Newton Free Library)

  • http://www.kimwerker.com Kim

    After a few years working way too much, I started off 2008 wanting desperately to achieve more balance, so I emailed a bunch of friends and suggested we start our book club back up (it had fizzled a few years earlier). I mostly wanted to pick their brains for book recommendations and to create an excuse for us all to get together every few weeks. It’s been working out better than I’d hoped — we have great discussions, have time to catch up, and I’m back to reading voraciously.

  • http://www.kimwerker.com Kim

    After a few years working way too much, I started off 2008 wanting desperately to achieve more balance, so I emailed a bunch of friends and suggested we start our book club back up (it had fizzled a few years earlier). I mostly wanted to pick their brains for book recommendations and to create an excuse for us all to get together every few weeks. It’s been working out better than I’d hoped — we have great discussions, have time to catch up, and I’m back to reading voraciously.

  • http://www.trishlawrence.com/blog Trish

    We’re more writer-focused, but our writer’s group reads profusely. I’ve been introduced to some really amazing book that I NEVER would have found on my own. And I’ve been able to return the favor, which is a pleasure. I love to hear how a particular book changed or inspired someone else in one way even as it changed or inspired me in another. Nothing like that! The synchronicity of books and life and lessons and inspiration also really comes into play when in a book group. The right book always shows up at just the right time. Love that.

  • http://www.trishlawrence.com/blog Trish

    We’re more writer-focused, but our writer’s group reads profusely. I’ve been introduced to some really amazing book that I NEVER would have found on my own. And I’ve been able to return the favor, which is a pleasure. I love to hear how a particular book changed or inspired someone else in one way even as it changed or inspired me in another. Nothing like that! The synchronicity of books and life and lessons and inspiration also really comes into play when in a book group. The right book always shows up at just the right time. Love that.

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com ann

    Kim — Finding balance! I love that, and it’s something that I could use a little of right now. Thanks for sharing.

    Trish — I’d love to hear more about your writer’s group reading — do you all read the same book and discuss, or is it more organic discussion about whatever a particular person is reading? I imagine that as writers, you might approach a book differently and pay attention to the structure and other similar details more than the average reader. I am definitely delighted to hear that your group is made up of readers, though. I would hope that all writers are readers, but I don’t think it’s necessarily always the case.

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com ann

    Kim — Finding balance! I love that, and it’s something that I could use a little of right now. Thanks for sharing.

    Trish — I’d love to hear more about your writer’s group reading — do you all read the same book and discuss, or is it more organic discussion about whatever a particular person is reading? I imagine that as writers, you might approach a book differently and pay attention to the structure and other similar details more than the average reader. I am definitely delighted to hear that your group is made up of readers, though. I would hope that all writers are readers, but I don’t think it’s necessarily always the case.

  • http://www.trishlawrence.com/blog Trish

    We all read the same book and discuss. For instance, we’re all using chapter 2 of To Kill a Mockingbird as a great example of a mature narrator (for those of us writing memoirs or with a fiction narrator looking back on events in the past). Plus, another class I’m in requires that we use a highlighter on the books we admire to highlight portions that particularly speak to us. I am averse to highlighters, but I do use sticky notes.

    My class is made up of voracious readers, and while I can’t imagine not reading as much as I do (writing gives me so many ideas to try), I think it is true that being a writer doesn’t necessarily make one a reader.

    I just read somewhere today about a woman who is in three book clubs at the same time. Now that would wear me out.

  • http://www.trishlawrence.com/blog Trish

    We all read the same book and discuss. For instance, we’re all using chapter 2 of To Kill a Mockingbird as a great example of a mature narrator (for those of us writing memoirs or with a fiction narrator looking back on events in the past). Plus, another class I’m in requires that we use a highlighter on the books we admire to highlight portions that particularly speak to us. I am averse to highlighters, but I do use sticky notes.

    My class is made up of voracious readers, and while I can’t imagine not reading as much as I do (writing gives me so many ideas to try), I think it is true that being a writer doesn’t necessarily make one a reader.

    I just read somewhere today about a woman who is in three book clubs at the same time. Now that would wear me out.

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com ann

    Thanks, Trish. Sounds like a great group, and an excellent way to learn.

    I’m currently in two book groups, along with work reading, and everything else. Sometimes it works :)

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com ann

    Thanks, Trish. Sounds like a great group, and an excellent way to learn.

    I’m currently in two book groups, along with work reading, and everything else. Sometimes it works :)

  • http://www.bibliotonic.blogspot.com jennifer

    My book group, made up of current and former book reps and booksellers, has been meeting for over ten years! Many of us had shared a frustration: even though we talked about books all day, the business at hand often precluded having a meaty discussion about what we were reading. Sometimes you only get to talk about numbers.

    As you may imagine, travel schedules make it hard to coordinate a date to meet, but four or five readers can make a lively discussion. Whoever hosts picks the next book. We gravitate toward fiction, but occasionally nonfiction with a strong narrative sneaks into the mix.

    I also join in an online reading group when I can, which allows me to read books I’d never choose for myself. Funny, though, I think the forum provides a challenge for discussion. Most members may read the book but they don’t participate beyond that. My theory—carefully composing comments to start a conversation or lend an opinion is a deterrent. And, it’s time-consuming in a way that may not be as rewarding as gathering warm bodies and talking.

  • http://www.bibliotonic.blogspot.com jennifer

    My book group, made up of current and former book reps and booksellers, has been meeting for over ten years! Many of us had shared a frustration: even though we talked about books all day, the business at hand often precluded having a meaty discussion about what we were reading. Sometimes you only get to talk about numbers.

    As you may imagine, travel schedules make it hard to coordinate a date to meet, but four or five readers can make a lively discussion. Whoever hosts picks the next book. We gravitate toward fiction, but occasionally nonfiction with a strong narrative sneaks into the mix.

    I also join in an online reading group when I can, which allows me to read books I’d never choose for myself. Funny, though, I think the forum provides a challenge for discussion. Most members may read the book but they don’t participate beyond that. My theory—carefully composing comments to start a conversation or lend an opinion is a deterrent. And, it’s time-consuming in a way that may not be as rewarding as gathering warm bodies and talking.

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com ann

    Jennifer!
    Can I come to your book group? It sounds wonderful, and perfect for me, and … oh, I see you had to fly to Maine, so I’m guessing you live far away from where I am. But tell me where you are and if you accept guest members and … sigh. I can dream, right?

    Thanks for the comment!

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com ann

    Jennifer!
    Can I come to your book group? It sounds wonderful, and perfect for me, and … oh, I see you had to fly to Maine, so I’m guessing you live far away from where I am. But tell me where you are and if you accept guest members and … sigh. I can dream, right?

    Thanks for the comment!

  • http://shereadsandreads.blogspot.com/ avisannschild

    Thanks for the great post. I want to find myself a book group now! I’m looking forward to reading the other posts in this series.

  • http://shereadsandreads.blogspot.com/ avisannschild

    Thanks for the great post. I want to find myself a book group now! I’m looking forward to reading the other posts in this series.

  • Just_Me

    There’s a reading group here. I’ve tried to get involved. I look up the titles of the books they read each month and just can’t get into them.

    Talking with some of the regulars I realize that we have similar backgrounds but very different personalities. I know I’ll never persuade them to pick up some of my favorite books. But I have a group that I keep in touch with by e-mail, phone, and forums where we can discuss our favorite books. They won’t make the standard shortlists but we love them anyway!

  • Just_Me

    There’s a reading group here. I’ve tried to get involved. I look up the titles of the books they read each month and just can’t get into them.

    Talking with some of the regulars I realize that we have similar backgrounds but very different personalities. I know I’ll never persuade them to pick up some of my favorite books. But I have a group that I keep in touch with by e-mail, phone, and forums where we can discuss our favorite books. They won’t make the standard shortlists but we love them anyway!

  • Nikki

    I am currently in a reading group where we also knit or crochet (haHA-killing 2 birds with one meeting…). Everyone takes a turn choosing the book, and we meet once a month on a Saturday or Sunday. We also pick a food theme, usually to go along with the book-sometimes it is 50′s fare (jello mold anyone?); sometimes comfort food; sometimes brunch. Alcohol is always involved. The food aspect seems to be as important as the book itself.

    Part of what I love about this group is that I am reading things that either I never would have picked up on my own, or I never got a chance to read before. Sometimes I love them (The Friday Night Knitting Club), sometimes, as with The Red Tent, I can just say “well, I read it…” But I always find something valuable to take away, both from the book and from the meeting of friends.

    Next month, we are reading Mary-Ann Tirone Smith’s Girls of Tender Age.
    One of our members grew up in the area of CT where a great portion of this memoir takes place, and knew some of those involved, so we will get the gossipy backstory as well!

  • Nikki

    I am currently in a reading group where we also knit or crochet (haHA-killing 2 birds with one meeting…). Everyone takes a turn choosing the book, and we meet once a month on a Saturday or Sunday. We also pick a food theme, usually to go along with the book-sometimes it is 50′s fare (jello mold anyone?); sometimes comfort food; sometimes brunch. Alcohol is always involved. The food aspect seems to be as important as the book itself.

    Part of what I love about this group is that I am reading things that either I never would have picked up on my own, or I never got a chance to read before. Sometimes I love them (The Friday Night Knitting Club), sometimes, as with The Red Tent, I can just say “well, I read it…” But I always find something valuable to take away, both from the book and from the meeting of friends.

    Next month, we are reading Mary-Ann Tirone Smith’s Girls of Tender Age.
    One of our members grew up in the area of CT where a great portion of this memoir takes place, and knew some of those involved, so we will get the gossipy backstory as well!

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com ann

    Nikki,
    I’m so jealous. Of everything. Books + knitting + food + alcohol?

    Heaven, I say!

  • http://www.booksonthenightstand.com ann

    Nikki,
    I’m so jealous. Of everything. Books + knitting + food + alcohol?

    Heaven, I say!

  • Nikki

    I don’t live that far away-you can join us anytime!!

  • Nikki

    I don’t live that far away-you can join us anytime!!

  • http://erin-reads.blogspot.com Erin

    Nikki, I’m with Ann…can I be in your book group? It sounds fantastic!

    I’ve never been in a book group, but they fascinate me. I’m really looking forward to future posts in this reading group series. I love hearing about everyone’s experiences with them and hope to someday join a good one myself!

  • http://erin-reads.blogspot.com Erin

    Nikki, I’m with Ann…can I be in your book group? It sounds fantastic!

    I’ve never been in a book group, but they fascinate me. I’m really looking forward to future posts in this reading group series. I love hearing about everyone’s experiences with them and hope to someday join a good one myself!

  • Nikki

    The more the merrier!!

  • Nikki

    The more the merrier!!

  • http://www.readinggroupchoices.com/ Barbara

    I am reading group junkie — been in a reading group since 1989 — moving gave me several locales to be in one or start one. Annapolis, MD; Monument, CO; Chapel Hill, NC and Kent Island, MD! I love the community of fellow readers, sharing ideas from the books that translate into issues in our lives and, more often than not, world issues. The groups have been informal and social (wine, of course and sometimes, themed food — I made the potaoe peel pie for Guernsey discussion) The one I’m in now, Kent Island, has an awards meeting in December — one member makes statues of the award winners (called The KIBBIES– Kent Island Book Awards.)the categories: Best Book of Year, Worst Book Of Year, Best Character, Worst Character, Best Sex Scene or Romance Encounter, and Worst Sex Scene or Romance Encounter. It is a once-a-month get together with friends — love it!

  • http://www.readinggroupchoices.com/ Barbara

    I am reading group junkie — been in a reading group since 1989 — moving gave me several locales to be in one or start one. Annapolis, MD; Monument, CO; Chapel Hill, NC and Kent Island, MD! I love the community of fellow readers, sharing ideas from the books that translate into issues in our lives and, more often than not, world issues. The groups have been informal and social (wine, of course and sometimes, themed food — I made the potaoe peel pie for Guernsey discussion) The one I’m in now, Kent Island, has an awards meeting in December — one member makes statues of the award winners (called The KIBBIES– Kent Island Book Awards.)the categories: Best Book of Year, Worst Book Of Year, Best Character, Worst Character, Best Sex Scene or Romance Encounter, and Worst Sex Scene or Romance Encounter. It is a once-a-month get together with friends — love it!

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