In my 28th year of life, I’m attempting to do 28 new things. Full list here.
I’ve had this on my list for three years now. I searched for book clubs I could join online, finding only stay-at-home moms who read books about parenting. I mentioned it to people in passing, a lot of whom responded that Book Clubs are lame and for…stay-at-home moms.
“Preposterous!” I replied to the nay-sayers. So I started a book club myself.
As a bookish person, I have over the years attracted a number of friends with similar book nerd tendencies. All it took was posting a query of interest on my Facebook page to get together a modest group of six to discuss books about once a month.
Yesterday was our first meeting, and it went well! I was so happy to hear other people’s feelings about the book, their favorite parts, their criticisms. As the de facto leader, I was the one who picked the book, “The Poisoner’s Handbook” (link in caption above for purchase). It turned out to be a fitting book about Prohibition. So we sat together, throwing back Bellini’s and Bloody Mary’s, discussing.
For me, the best part about a book club is the widening perspective as a reader. By reading books other people have selected, it causes me to read books that I might shy away from. In the discussion itself, I got to see the book through five other people’s perspectives. The English major in me felt right at home.
Chrissy's Blog 
I am so glad to hear this. As you know I have been a member of a book club for years and my experience has been just as you said. I have read and loved so many books that I never would have chosen to read on my own. Happy reading.
That’s so awesome, Chrissy! Way to be proactive!
I love a good book club, for exactly those reasons. I would think any book geek can get a lot out of it, and it’s fun to be able to talk to people who are familiar with the particular book, have something to say about it, AND are interested in what you have to say! Plus, more book recommendations are always a win. 😉