What is a Book Club & Why You Should Join One
For those of you who don't know, a book club is a group of people who meet to discuss and review books. For instance, I am a member of the Indy Momprenuer's Book Club (pictured) and we meet up to discuss entrepreneurial related books! (How fun is that?!) Book club's have a long history and even some fame!! (but we'll save that for another day 😉) The big question is WHY should you join one? My answer to this question is always the same, "Well, why not?!" I realize, though, that others may need a more in-depth answer so I have compiled a list of 6 great benefits to joining a book club!Companionship
According to Merriam-Webster, companionship (also known as fellowship, community, society, camaraderie, etc.) is "the good feeling that comes from being with someone else" and/or a group. You get the opportunity to socialize around a common interest. For instance, Tracy Mumford (MPRnews) has found that "some clubs are intensely literary, some strictly online, some mystery, some themed, some more Chardonnay than Charles Dickens." No matter what interests you, there is a club for you!!
Expand Your Literary Range
Book clubs give you the chance to discover selections of books that you'd never choose on your own. Now, this may seem off-putting to some who are particularly attached to their favorites, but honestly, you'll never truly know if you like something until you try it. I was never one to voluntarily read self-help, motivational, entrepreneurial, etc. type books for fear of being bored to tears, it putting me to sleep so I would end up not finishing it..but with the book club I am in I have found to actually enjoy those types of books! Who'd have thought, right?! (Keep a look out for my book reviews!)
Provide Motivation and Encouragement
On the off-chance that you do find a book particularly challenging or when your life gets pretty busy, your book club is there to help motivate you and encourage you to get through it. You get to know each other and support each other and this is where you really see fellowship/community come into play with book clubs.
Promote a Deeper Understanding
Have you ever read a book a second time and came across something that makes you think, "how did I miss this?!"? Discussions can cultivate a deeper understanding of the book and can bring up points that you may have missed during your own read through.
Learn to Read Critically
According to the University of Toronto, "critical reading is a more active way of reading. It is a deeper and more complex engagement with a text. It is a process of analyzing, interpreting and, sometimes, evaluating. When we read critically, we use our critical thinking skills to question both the text and our own reading of it." For a more in-depth look at critical reading click here.
Enhance Your Communication Skills
If you are anything like me, an introvert, public speaking, speeches, group discussions, and even a one-on-one conversation can be difficult. But when you read something that sparks an interest in you, words can't help but to spill out at some point and the more you share your opinions with the group the better your communication gets!
As you can see there are many amazing benefits to joining a book club and there are so many different clubs that you are bound to find one that interests you. Can't find one? MAKE ONE!! Start your own book club and run with it! If you thought of more benefits to joining a book club feel free to comment them below! Have your own book club or belong to one? Let us know! We'd love to hear from you!
Keep Reading Friends!!
~Shannon
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