Book Clubs!
Merriam-Webster defines a club as “an association or organization dedicated to a particular, common interest or activity.” Clubs bring diverse communities together to learn and discuss something that matters to them, and a book club is no different.
According to Goldberg and Pesko, being present with other people in conversation is something everyone needs to experience often (2000).
There are continuous benefits to joining a book club. For starters:
Reading is good for your brain.
There are many studies that show reading is good for strengthening both the physical structure of the brain and social soft skills like intelligence and empathy. Why wouldn’t you want to benefit from regular reading?
Book clubs are social by nature and provide a place to have conversation about topics all enjoy. By virtue of attending, people are expressing interest in the theme and the activity.
Just hanging out and talking about your own lives in relation to the book you’re reading is healthy and enjoyable. Sometimes reading as a social activity can bridge differences of opinion and bring people together in new ways. Medical experts assert that the companionship and intellectual stimulation, thinking quickly during book club discussions are beneficial.
Reading things you might not have otherwise can expand your horizons.
In a book club, you can discover new books that you might have otherwise completely overlooked – you may find a new favorite by reading something you might not have read. Or, you can encourage the other members of your club to read and discuss your own favorite book that you’ve been dying to talk about with somebody! Also, having a deadline to get a book done can help to get you going on your reading, even in our busy world.
Book clubs offer a way to peaceably reflect on our society today.
You can have healthy, respectful debates in a book club. And instead of dry reports, you can read juicy, exciting fiction (and nonfiction) that deal with social issues in different or complex ways. Hearing other readers’ perspectives on the same story might change your own ideas about what a book means.
And the most compelling reason to join a book club.
According to a research from the University of Queensland in Australia, evidence from a long term study shows that social group memberships after retirement are associated with reduced risk of premature death – wow. Not only does the membership in groups keep you lively, it has a positive impact on your quality of life.
The Williamson County Library System offers many book club opportunities. We have a variety of clubs at five of our locations; there are a selection of times, genres, and locations, all listed on our Book Club page. If you have a suggestion for something new or any questions, contact the Reference Desk at Main at 615-595-1243, or send an email.
Resources:
https://monash.edu/7-reasons-join-book-club/
Petrich, Nathaniel R.. (). Book Clubs: Conversations Inspiring Community. i.e.: inquiry in education:
Vol. 7: Iss. 1, Article 4.
Retrieved from: http://digitalcommons.nl.edu/ie/vol7/iss1/4
Six Reasons to Join a Book Club