5 Things I've Learned From My First Book Club

At the age of 40, I’ve started attending my first ever book club. (Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?) Book club is not something I’d ordinarily do. I’m socially awkward, groups of strangers scare me, and I don’t identify as a prolific reader by any means. Sure, I enjoy a book with the proper genre and if the timing is right. Beyond that, I’ve never had a zest for it. Even as a kid, I’d do what was required but nothing more. As an adult, the hours per day of reading I do at my job don’t help the cause. (Why again did I choose this field of work?) Bottom line: pleasure reading has never been my thing, but I’m working on it.

Contrast this with my sisters. I’d characterize both as lovers of the written word, in their unique ways. Bethany was that kid who would devour whole series in a week and look for the next just as soon as she put the last book down. I can recall a random Babysitters Club book lying around the house at every turn. Jenny found her love of reading in adulthood. Her kindle is on overdrive, always.

As sisters do, mine are always looking to broaden my horizons. So a couple of months ago, Bethany invited me to a new book club she was attending. I was a bit skeptical, but hey, at least I’d have my sister. Plus, in a once-in-a-century coincidence, the next book to be discussed was one I had recently read based on a Substack author’s recommendation! What did I have to lose?

Here are five things I’ve learned thus far from attending a book club that is open to the public and run by the local librarian in an eccentric wine bar located in a small town.

1. There is something inspiring about being around true book lovers. You can actually see a sparkle in their eyes when the discussion starts. It makes you want to be a book lover so you can acquire that zest.

2. All ideas are welcome and listened to. No one judges your thoughts. They are genuinely interested in what you have to say. Rarely does one individual cut another person off, and if done, it is quickly realized and reversed, which allows the speaker to finish.

3. Speaking from my extremely limited experience (see title), book club is predominately attended by women. There was one man, one time. He was outspoken and brought a particularly unique perspective. Everyone listened with open ears (see number 2).

4. You learn so much that has nothing to do with the book. You learn so much that has everything to do with the book. You learn about living in New York in the 80’s (wild!), and perseverance through natural disasters, and moving from place to place, and just life in general. You learn about libraries and all they do for the community. You learn about personal struggles. You learn about family dynamics. You learn you are sitting next to someone who has 100 thousand TikTok followers because she posts amazing content that helps you with everyday struggles. You learn so much.

5. You leave with a whole new sense of fulfillment. Hearing how others reflect on the book causes you to reflect more than you otherwise would have. You think of things you never would have without open discussion. You hear points about the plot and characters you would have never realized on your own.  By the end, you’ve really studied the book instead of just mindlessly reading it. You’ve all taken the lessons and related them to life and that feels really good.

How about you? Do you attend a book club? What’s it like? What are your favorite things about it? You know the drill: let me know in the cawwwwments!

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