Book Clubs: When a Good Book Ends, the Conversation Begins!

Why join a book club? 

Here are are four reasons why you should!

1. You can expand your horizons.

I am a certified, non-fiction “junkie.” When I retired I wanted to expand my reading horizons so I joined a book club that reads only international fiction – something I would never had done on my own.

Fiction has a power that no other form of communication does: the power to insert you fully and completely in another person’s mind. It is a “meld” between your mind and the author's - your mind and characters'.

When you read fiction, you’re seeing the world through a character’s eyes – and in my international fiction book club that also means through the eyes of someone living in another country.

In a book club, you can discover new books that you might have otherwise completely overlooked. By being introduced to new genres and styles, you see the perspectives of different people and different cultures. And the more perspective you gain, the more you grow. 

 

2. Book clubs offer you an opportunity to discuss and reflect upon our world.

Not only does a book help you learn about the world through the text, it also facilitates conversation and discussion. Hearing other readers’ thoughts and personal experiences related to the book might expand your ideas about what the book means.

Book club discussions may:

• challenge the way you view the world,
• change your views,
• and help you to understand others in a new and profound way.

Book club members come from varied backgrounds, which may mean they bring vastly different perspectives to your discussions. This can help you learn new things and see things from unique angles you might never have considered!

 

 

3. Book clubs promote good health.

There are many studies reporting that reading is good for strengthening both the physical structure of the brain and social skills like intelligence and empathy. Why wouldn’t you want to benefit from regular reading and discussion?

Reading in general helps with overall brain function and increasing memory, but add in book club discussion and your brain will be compelled to keep up and keep sharp! Book reading and discussion fully engage your brain - a book club can be a great way to keep your brain healthy!

Finally, simply hanging out and talking about your own lives in relation to the book you’re reading is enjoyable and healthy.

 

4. Food and Beverages

This one is obvious! My book club really enjoys eating and drinking. Even during the pandemic, when we did not serve food and drink communally, we simply brought our own snack and “beverage.” Now we are back to communal dining. Sometimes we enjoy basics, like wine, cheese and crackers, and other times we splurge and explore food and drink from the country we have just read about. 

 

Go ahead, join a book club!

A book club can help you meet new people and make new friends - all in a relaxed atmosphere. Book clubs are a great addition to your social calendar, especially if you are an introvert like me. They are low key and inexpensive. No matter how serious (or silly) your book discussions are, just getting together and chatting on a regular basis is fun!

Link to list of Books by the Beach Book Club (international fiction) books read 2016-2021