A Case for Book Clubs
By Diana Giovinazzo | July 19, 2024 |
While authors such as myself love attending book clubs for their own novels, the case for attending them goes beyond that. Over the past year and a half, I have been a part of one book club. In addition, when I and a group of friends all started the same book series a new book club sprang up. As an author, there is a definite difference between being a part of a book club and being the special guest of someone else’s book club. Below are some of my reasons why writers should be a part of a book club.
Being forced to read outside your genre
When you write in one specific genre it becomes really easy to get engrossed within that genre. In my case, writing historical fiction often means that my reading list becomes historical fiction heavy. Case in point: for the last three years, historical fiction has been one of my most-read genres, followed closely by romance and mystery. Consistently.
Being a part of a group where the others get a vote, or each person gets to pick a book for their month means that you as the author don’t get to control everything. Which is an exercise in and of itself (we all know there are a lot of things in this business that we can’t control) but we also get to read a diverse set of novels and explore other’s others’ opinions. We get to find out what books each person is attracted to and why, and hear everyone else’s opinions on them.
This leads me to our next point…
You get an honest opinion of the books
Just like with children, book clubs are more often than not on their best behavior. However, when there is no author around, the opinions will fly! And while there can be some valid literary criticism, as a writer there is valuable market insight into the minds of readers. Why do they not like a certain genre? Do the members of your book club dislike a certain type of character?
These are insights that many marketing professionals would pay a lot of money for.
The friendships that form
This is perhaps my favorite by-product of being a part of a book club. As a writer it’s easy to stay home surrounded by our books, telling stories to ourselves, and have our pets become our only co-workers of sorts. And while yes, it is important to have a tribe of fellow authors/writers that you can rely on I would like to make the case that it is equally important for every author to be a part of a book club.
When my friend asked me to join her book club a year and a half ago, I only knew some of the ladies in passing, having met them at her various functions. And while, yes, the conversation will stray to random things or silly topics, there is still a bond of friendship that gets formed. The group that came together has been lovely and supportive. I am proud to call these ladies friends.
The best friendships are the ones that are forged over a common love of books. Discussing books with a group of friends can remind us why we write in the first place.
We actually have a reason to read
If you are a writer, reading comes naturally, right? We wind up becoming so bogged down in our own stories that reading a book can get pushed to the back burner. I know during the months when I am putting in long hours of drafting a novel, my reading time goes down. I usually wind up reading one to two books for the month, max. And those books are usually the ones that I need to read for book club.
When you are a part of a book club, you have an excuse to read, and reading is actually good for your health. Scientists have found that reading can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and improve sleep quality. Also, readers are found to be more empathic. Likewise, reading helps with memory and increases vocabulary and focus. All things necessary for our writing.
Practicing discussing bookish topics
Talking with a group of people in public can be nerve-wracking. Speaking to a group of people about a book you wrote can be even more nerve-wracking. However, when in a comfortable environment with people you know, you can practice speaking about literary topics. This way when it is your turn to talk about your book you can feel more comfortable.
At the end of the day, book clubs are for everyone. Even authors. If you are a part of a book club, what ways has it helped your writing life?
Diana Giovinazzo is the co-creator of Wine, Women and Words, a weekly literary podcast featuring interviews with authors over a glass of wine. Her debut novel, THE WOMAN IN RED, released in 2020, and her second novel, ANTOINETTE’S SISTER, released in 2022. You can find her in the Los Angeles area with her menagerie and husband.
[coffee]
An awkward story: when I moved into our retirement community, and we met and talked with lots of the residents, I found out there were many who belonged to book clubs. One of them invited me to come to their meeting in her apartment when it was her turn to host.
On the day, armed with printouts of possible discussion topics for my first mainstream novel, I came to be their guest – and not a single person, including my hostess, had read the book or made the slightest effort.
It was a challenge! It was also my first invitation to a book club as an author. I read a short excerpt, offered to answer any questions, and then sat there, smiling and trying to be interested in the books they talked about (each woman brought her own new suggestions), for another hour and a half.
We’re still friends – and it was just an odd beginning – but I had my eyes opened to the possibilities, and will be sure to ask a lot more questions beforehand – next time.
But paired with an invitation to be one of two authors for a panel talk on disabilities in fiction (also my first time) at the local library, to which no one except the participants and their tiny entourages came, I’m starting to wonder if it’s me.
Nah. These things happen.
As a 20+ year member of a book club I can attest to the friendships. We’ve seen each other through a lot of “life.” Our conversations tend to revolve more around the topic of the book than the writing in the book, but there is always something to learn. The club has been especially useful in making me read widely. My preference is historical fiction and romance. My book club doesn’t read romance, but I’ve discovered all kinds of books I never would have picked up on my own. As a writer and a human being, I endorse reading widely and making friends.