Book Club
I first joined a book club about a year and a half ago. I’ve always loved to read, and I was looking for something to do outside of playdates. I was also looking for a new way to make friends. When I saw someone in our neighborhood was starting a book club, I added my name to the email list.
Even though I don’t make every meeting, (kids get sick, hubby has to work late,) I am so glad I joined. I have found so many benefits to joining a book club, and I wanted to share them with you.
The Benefits of Book Club
Reading
OK. This one is obvious, but without book club, I’m not sure I would read a new, challenging book each month. Sometimes at the end of the day, it’s just easier to flip on the TV. But, with book club keeping me motivated, I read at least one book a month.
Plus, they are usually not books I would have picked for myself. We’ve read historical fiction, non-fiction, and even some best-sellers. I normally stick to chick-lit when I’m reading for pleasure, so it’s really nice to push myself out of my comfort zone and learn something new.
Relationships
Through my book club, I’ve made some great friends. Even though we all may be at different stages of our lives, I’ve met a great group of women. They are intelligent, funny, and all very welcoming. It’s hard to put yourself out there and make friends once you reach a certain point in your life, and this book club has made it easier for me.
I’ve had playdates, gone to parties, and even watched our kids play T-ball on the same team with ladies from the book club.
Conversation
I get to talk with actual adults about things other than my kids. Of course, we do discuss our families and personal stuff too, but we do actually discuss the book first (at least most of the time.) It’s really nice to have a conversation without being interrupted by someone wanting their sippy cup or hanging on my leg.
Fun
Yes, reading is fun. Conversation too. But, there’s also wine. And snacks. Did I mention wine?
Join or Start Your Own
So, how can you find a book club in your area? I found mine through a website called Nextdoor. It’s a free site that I’ve mentioned before. It basically maps out your neighborhood, and let’s you meet your neighbors in a safe, easy way. All you need to do is:
- Enter your address to see if there is a neighborhood set up
- If yes, just join
- If no, create your own site by naming your neighborhood, selecting the borders, and then inviting your neighbors to join. The site will send them postcards with how to join for free.
- You can then post about your book club in the events section, and even invite neighboring communities.
You can sign up through my affiliate link HERE, and if you create a new neighborhood, we both earn $25 Amazon gift cards. Sweet.
I also wanted to share some of the books that I’ve read with my book club. You can purchase any through my Amazon affiliate links, by clicking on the picture. Many of the books are also available at your local library.
Have you thought about joining a book club? Are you part of one already? What books have your read lately?
No I never thought about joining a book club, but it seems like a good idea. I am fairly new to my neighborhood so this would be a good way to meet more women. I have enjoyed reading since I was able to. I always had a book with me wherever I went as a child. Not so much so as an adult though. I like how they pick books from different genres.
Yes! We’ve read so many different kinds of books.
The Light Between Oceans is one of my favorites. It’s one of those books that I want to read again, because I feel like I could gain a lot more the second time around. I’d love to join a book club; having thoughtful conversations about literature is the best.
I would love to join a book club. I wish I actually made time to read because it’s one of my favorite things to do.
If only we didn’t have to waste time sleeping! 😉
I would love to join a book club! I had an online one for a little while but it kind of fell apart. It was nice though because I did read a couple of books I would not have picked up otherwise!
Exactly. I’d never even heard of half of them 🙂
I’ve just joined a few book clubs to encourage more diverse reading on my part. I’m excited for this year!
I love book clubs! It’s fun to be able to collectively read a book and chat about it. 🙂 Thanks for the idea to look for one using Nextdoor!
A book club sounds like so much fun! I haven’t been in one since I was a kid but I’m thinking after I move (if I can ever sell this house!) I’ll have to seek one out 🙂
Yes!
I’ve never done well with a book club because I tend to find that I don’t love the books that are usually chosen. I”m a pretty picky reader although I keep looking for a group that I fit in with but so far I’ve had no luck.
I haven’t loved every book we’ve read, but I have learned a lot, and even found ones I didn’t think I would love.
I’ve always wanted to join a book club but never knew how to find one in my area until this post! Thanks so much for this useful and helpful info!!
You’re welcome!
I’ve always wanted to join a bookclub or start one of my own. I think it would be a lot of fun and make me read more. Some of the books you read already, I need to check out!
Yes, we have read a lot of really good ones 🙂
I’ll have to look into Nextdoor! That sounds really neat! And was The Language of Flowers any good? It’s been on my to-read list forever.
Yes, I really liked the Language of Flowers. It’s not something I would have typically picked, but I really learned a lot from it and enjoyed reading it. Nextdoor is awesome!
Yes, I’ve totally thought about joining a book club. I love book clubs. In college we had to read a book and discuss a few chapters we read each week. I enjoyed it so much. I love to hear what others thought of the book. And yes talking to other adults is nice.
Think it a great idea! I would join one if I knew of a good one in my area!
I have always wanted to join a book club. I love reading, but often it is the last thing on my list of ‘to dos’. If I had to have it finished it would be very motivating.
Love the list you have here, saving this as a must read list 🙂
We had a community club but it kinda fizzled out. But I think because of the book selection. A few of these are on my to read list!
Yes! When I was really little I always had “book club” with friends… but it was never more than a time to play 😉 However, I think joining a book club would be a great way to have some conversation outside of work and straight social situations. Plus, like you said, it’d be a great way to meet some new people 🙂
Yes! It really is.
I need to carve out more time, book clubs seem like so much fun!
Yes!
I soooo want to join a book club one of these days! I don’t have much time for book reading lately, but one of these days, I swear, I WILL!
Checking out nextdoor right now! Thanks!
I think book clubs are a great idea. Any club where people get together to chat about something they enjoy has got to be a good thing.
I was part of a book club, but kept missing the meetings because of kids’ sporting events, etc. 🙁 I did love going though and yes, we drank wine and gossiped 😉 How is the book Where’d You Go Bernadette? I have it on my reading list.
Thank you for this list of books! I now have a new set of books to go through!
This seems like fun! It is terrible to say but I always think of older women with too much time on their hands when I hear book club but you have changed my perspective! I love to read and this sounds like it would be fun!
I joined a book club late last year and I love it. It has me reading titles that I probably wouldn’t normally gravitate towards, which is expanding my reading list. And it’s nice to have an ‘excuse’ to get back into reading more, which is something I love but don’t always prioritise as much as I should. I’m going to go check out the book list now, thanks!
I started a book club and we are meeting for the first time this month. I am a huge bookworm so getting the chance to talk books is something that I just love!
It is Great that you found a way to find time to interact with a fun group of ladies!! Of course the wine makes book clubs a little more enticing ?
Doesn’t it for everything? 😉
I love book clubs! I wish there were one available now for me to join.
This is something I would LOVE to do! Thanks for sharing the how! I am certainly going to look into it
Oh, wow! I didn’t even know there was a website where you can find book clubs! I am going to check that out! I really want to join one! Thanks, Shann! 🙂
You’re welcome! It’s actually a great site for even more than that. It helps you get to know the people in your neighborhood, and even surrounding ones too. We use it for block parties, neighborhood watches, and more.
I started a book club about a year ago with a bunch of girls in Dallas. For the first few months everyone was really into and now its kind of fallen apart. I did love having a girls night, discussing life and books and of course wine 🙂
That’s so awesome! I hadn’t heard of the site you mentioned so I need to check it out 🙂
Book clubs do have many benefits. Thanks for highlighting some of them!
I’ve tried joining book clubs, but around here people just dont show up!